ISLAMABAD:The International Research Council for Religious Affairs (IRCRA), in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), on Tuesday organised a Regional Dialogue Conference at the Governor House, Peshawar, focusing on strengthening state–society engagement, peace, and social cohesion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The conference, titled “State–Society Dialogue, Peace, and Social Cohesion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” brought together religious scholars, policymakers, parliamentarians, academia, civil society representatives, youth leaders, and media professionals.
The discussions centered on building trust, enhancing cooperation, and fostering meaningful engagement between state institutions and society, particularly in the context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Newly Merged Districts.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, who attended as chief guest, underscored the importance of inclusive governance, sustained dialogue, and public trust as key pillars for durable peace and institutional stability. He said meaningful interaction between the state and citizens was vital to address social fragmentation and ensure long-term stability in the province.
The conference commenced with an opening session led by IRCRA President Muhammad Israr and parliamentary leader Ahmed Kundi, setting the tone for a forward-looking dialogue. In his opening remarks, Dr Aamer Raza, Associate Professor at the University of Peshawar, highlighted the need to strengthen state–society engagement mechanisms, particularly in the Newly Merged Districts.
A youth panel discussion explored the role of education and youth engagement in fostering inclusive and resilient communities, with participants emphasizing the importance of empowering young people as agents of peace and civic participation.
A high-level panel discussion, chaired by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, featured Major General Inam-ul-Haq (Retd.), Maulana Yousaf Shah, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, and Arshad Rashid. The panel deliberated on security dynamics, governance challenges, the role of religious leadership, and contributions of the development sector in promoting peace and social cohesion.
Participants stressed that effective state–society dialogue was essential to prevent institutional disconnect and social fragmentation, while highlighting the need for active engagement of youth, academia, media, and religious leadership in shaping constructive national discourse. They also called for inclusive governance, participatory policymaking, and institutionalization of dialogue platforms, particularly in the Newly Merged Districts.
The event concluded with a shield distribution ceremony, where the Governor recognized the contributions of peacemakers, local jirgas, and partner organizations for their role in promoting peace and cohesion in the region. A vote of thanks by IRCRA, followed by a closing dua, marked the end of the conference.
IRCRA, an Islamabad-based independent think tank established in 2013, works to promote interfaith harmony, peaceful coexistence, and inclusive policy dialogue through research and multi-stakeholder engagement, while PPAF continues to play a key role in poverty reduction and community-driven development initiatives across Pakistan.