The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education, Archives & Libraries (HED) Department and the Community Resilience Activity – North (CRA-North) Project of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have officially entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at collaborative efforts in countering violent extremism and fostering community resilience in the KP province.
The signing ceremony, which took place in Islamabad, witnessed the presence of key dignitaries including Mr. Arshad Khan, Secretary Higher Education KP, and Mr. Michael J.F. O’Mahony, Chief of Party IOM – CRA-North, alongside distinguished representatives from government officials, including Chief Coordination Officer Dr. Ayaz Khan and Director General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Center for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Dr. Qasim Khan, as well as non-government representatives.
This strategic partnership signifies a positive development in promoting a culture of collaboration, research, and advancement within the region. The collaborative effort is expected to contribute significantly to community well-being, social cohesion, peace, countering violent extremism, and overall social welfare.
The agreement outlines general principles of cooperation, emphasizing close collaboration, exchange of information, joint action, and areas of mutual interest. Key areas of cooperation include implementing activities related to community resilience, social cohesion, peace, and integration.
During the ceremony, Mr. Arshad Khan expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating.
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“This partnership marks a significant step forward in our collective fight against violent extremism. By combining the strengths of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Center for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism and IOM, we are confident in our ability to build stronger communities, promote tolerance, and foster a more peaceful future for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
He emphasized that extremism is not a part of the region, and that the Pashtun community is known for being peace lovers, as depicted by their centuries-old poetry and culture.
Dr. Ayaz Khan, Chief Coordination Officer of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (KPCVE), highlighted the center’s mandate under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Act No XVIII of 2021 to conduct research on countering violent extremism, engage experts, and provide training to enhance institutional capacities in preventing and countering violent extremism.
Dr. Qasim Khan, Director General KPCVE, appreciated the efforts of IOM in sustainable resilience activities and highlighted the role of CRA-North in collaborative efforts with KPCVE in newly merged areas as well as settled districts of KP.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), committed to humane and orderly migration, aims to assist in operational challenges, advance understanding of migration issues, and ensure the human rights and well-being of migrants.
