A Report by Zamurrad Awan on 2nd session of CCEP at Kinnaird College for Women,Lhr

Second Session of CCEP (Centre for Civic Education Pakistan) on the “Impact of Terrorism on Youth” at Kinnaird College for Women

On 12th of March 2010, Political Science Department of Kinnaird College for Women Lahore arranged the second session on the “Impact of Terrorism on Youth” with the collaboration of “Centre for Civic Education Pakistan”, which is a non-profitable organization based in Islamabad. The purpose of this session was to sensitize Pakistani youth about the growing threat of terrorism and to make them aware of their responsibilities as an active citizen of their motherland. The session was well-planned as it started with an introduction by Syeda Scherbano Abbas, in which she introduced the efforts of CCEP (Centre for Civic Education in Pakistan) regarding an awareness of Youth and their active role in ensuring good governance. After the brief introduction, a Hamd was recited by Sana Iqbal depicting the current insecure situation due to terrorism. Next to this, Sana Iqbal and Namrah Arooj gave a PowerPoint presentation on the concept of terrorism and the role of youth against unbridled terrorism in Pakistan.

After the presentation the guest speaker Mr. Abrar-ul-Haq delivered a thought provoking lecture on an inspirational role of youth in ensuring peace and harmony in Pakistan which is dreadfully at stake because of acute threats of terrorism. Abrar ul Haq is famous for his Pakistani pop, bhangra and folk singing. At one time, Mr. Abrar was also a part of faculty at Aitcheson College. He is the Founder and chairman of Sahara for Life Trust, which is a charitable organization promoting health and education in remote areas of Pakistan. Mr. Abrar ul Haq is also the chairman of Youth Parliament of Pakistan, which is patterned after the National assembly of Pakistan as a model parliament for young people. The Youth Parliament is a largest youth network in the country and its objective is to educate Pakistani youth about politics and democracy and to serve as a useful forum to voice the views of youth about a range of national and international issues.

While delivering a lecture, Mr Abrar introduced his “Sahara Trust for Life”, which is working on 39 projects of Youth Parliament in Southern Punjab as this area is famous for Extremist Madrassas. The purpose of these projects is to provide opportunities to Pakistani youth especially who belong to an underprivileged area so that they could not only polish their own skills but could also represent Pakistani Youth on national and international fronts. Mr Abrar emphasized on youth involvement in non-governmental Organizations which actually play a role of safety wall in current scenario of Pakistan as this could not only help them to get a clear understanding of an issue but simultaneously it would lead them towards a relevant solution.

After Lecture, while answering in Question/Answer Session, Mr Abrar stressed upon the inter-provincial harmony, deep understanding of Religion and promotion of our instigated values which could play a pivotal role in diluting fundamental elements in Pakistan. At the end, he spelled out the audience with his thought provoking poem ““Sar Utha Kar Daes Main jeeny Ka Mosam A Gaya” and revolutionary Punjabi song “Yad Khudayi kar ly k sanwain muk jana, Awain na kar zulm k ek din muk jana”. Moreover Maria Malik recited a Dua for the safety and integrity of Pakistan. In addition to this, Mr Abrar was presented with a gift and bouquet as a token of appreciation by Political Science Department. The format of the session kept the students involved till the end and a tremendous feedback made this event successful.

The whole program was assisted and guided by Ms. Saira Malik (head of Political Science Dept), Ms. Zamurrad Awan (Senior Lecturer of Political Science Dept) and with faculty of Political Science Department. The media coverage of the event was done by Geo television and City 42, Din News and Khabrain.

Zamurrad Awan
Senior Lecturer at Political Science Dept
Kinnaird College for Women, Lhr