Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times) : Paigham e Pakistan Seminar on Youth Resilience Held at CISS AJK
A meaningful seminar focusing on “Building Resilient Youth Communities at Educational Campuses” was held today at the Centre for International Strategic Studies – Azad Jammu & Kashmir (CISS AJK). The event brought together policymakers, academics, and youth to deliberate on the pressing need for inclusive dialogue, digital awareness, and resilience-building in the current era.
The seminar was steered by Raja Abdul Basit, Research Officer at CISS AJK, who moderated the session and guided the discussions throughout the day.
The Minister for Information, Government of AJK, Peer Mazhar Saeed Shah, attended the seminar as Chief Guest. In his address, he spoke about the critical importance of improving communication between parents and children, as well as between teachers and students. According to him, closing these gaps can play a pivotal role in preventing frustration, alienation, and extremist leanings among youth. He also stressed that extremism—be it religious, political, or societal—must be confronted head-on to build a stable and forward-looking generation.
Delivering the keynote speech, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia ul Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute, Islamabad, focused on societal cohesion. He remarked that building a nation comparable to the Quranic metaphor of “Bunyanum Marsoos” requires both introspection and collective effort. Dr. Zia underlined the importance of safeguarding the rights of women and children, calling them yardsticks of any nation’s progress. “Societies don’t collapse overnight,” he said. “They erode silently—when people stop making timely, moral decisions.”
Dr. Rustam Khan, Deputy Director at IRI, spoke on how digital platforms and emerging technologies are influencing the youth. He pointed out that while these tools offer empowerment, they can also create dangerous echo chambers if not approached critically.
Opening the seminar, Zohaib Altaf, Associate Director at CISS AJK, welcomed participants and shared a brief overview of the Centre’s vision. He explained how youth resilience has taken center stage amid complex regional challenges and rapid technological change. “Today’s ideological battles are fought more often online than on the streets,” he remarked, “and we need to prepare our youth accordingly.”
Syeda Tahreem Bukhari, Associate Director at CISS AJK, presented on the role of academic spaces in countering violent extremism. She highlighted how digital propaganda targets emotionally and socially isolated students. “Youth must be given institutional space to voice concerns, before someone else weaponizes their silence,” she noted.
Nimra Javed, Research Officer at CISS AJK, discussed the use of Artificial Intelligence in tackling online extremism. She emphasized the value of equipping young minds with digital literacy and AI tools to create a safer and more resilient cyberspace. “AI is not just a technology—it’s an opportunity to strengthen institutional responses before harmful narratives take root,” she explained.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Ms. Midhat Shahzad, Additional Chief Secretary (Information), AJK. She commended CISS AJK and its partners for organizing a much-needed conversation. “Youth are our most powerful stakeholders, and we must engage them wisely—not only through policies but through platforms that listen, guide, and empower,” she said.
