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ISLAMABAD, Nov 13 (APP):Experts on international affairs on Thursday emphasized the need to revitalize the National Action Plan (NAP) to counter the extremist rhetoric of far-right groups, focusing on generating a positive narrative based on people’s shared aspirations rather than their fears.
The experts expressed these insights during a seminar “Far-right narratives and violent extremism” at Salim Habib University Karachi organized by Press Information Department Karachi, in collaboration with PID Media Cell to Counter Violent Extremism Islamabad.
The event brought together students, faculty members, researchers, media professionals, and members of academia, fostering meaningful dialogue on the ideological, political, and social dynamics behind far-right movements and their influence on extremist thought.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador (Retd.) GR Baloch said that fear was manufactured by the extremist narratives to sell their violent ideologies.
While highlighting Pakistan’s internal and external threats with regard to extremist onslaughts, ambassador GR Baloch said that it was not only the religious extremism but the strategic threat of extremism equally knocked the doors of Pakistan at its eastern and western borders.
The extremist narrative of the BJP led India was synonymous with the violent narrative of Israel that feared increasing number of Muslims globally and Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence.
Baloch further said that Pakistan’s democratic values, free press, and women emancipation were against the Conservative and far-right narrative of TTP. The Conservative and extremist narrative of TTP could be an alarming threat for the youth buldge and marginalised segments of the society in Pakistan, he added.
Emphasizing upon the revitalization of Nation Action Plan, ambassador said that the people in Pakistan, especially the youth must feel empowered and build not only socio-economic resilience to far-right narratives but also the knowledge resilience in the age of information warfare.
Highlighting the historical changes in the evolution of extremist narrative in the Muslim world, Dr Naeem said that the Iranian revolution, soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the assassination of Anwar Sadaat triggered the far-right narratives and divided the Muslim world.
He further highlighted how gender and morality are often manipulated to sustain these narratives, noting that “references to honor and family values are used to reinforce patriarchal structures and control, feeding intolerance and rigid social hierarchies.”
Addressing Pakistan’s demographic challenge, Dr Naeem cautioned that alienating the youth from knowledge and economic inclusion leaves them susceptible to extremist recruitment.
The panellists also pointed out the interplay between economic inequality, political exclusion, and extremist exploitation, with Dr Naeem urging that “governments must address structural inequalities; otherwise, resentment becomes the emotional fuel extremists thrive on.” Ambassador Baluch added that countering extremism requires “building positive, inclusive narratives of citizenship and belonging that appeal to people’s shared aspirations rather than their fears.”
In his concluding remarks, Vice Chancellor of Salim Habib University, Syed Irfan, appreciated the initiative and said, “This dynamic discussion will enlighten our young audience who have turned up in large numbers.” Reflecting on the toll of ideological extremism, he stated, “At what costs? We have lost a lot in these religious ideologies.”
He emphasized that “we are the target audience of these far-right narratives of ‘them versus us,’ and today, we are confronting these ideas through informed dialogue.” The Vice Chancellor lauded the efforts of PID Karachi and the CVE Media Cell for fostering academic partnerships to address national challenges, adding, “Universities must serve as spaces where difficult questions are debated with openness, empathy, and intellectual honesty.”
Delivering the vote of thanks, Director General of PID Karachi, Irum Tanweer said “We must equip our youth with critical thinking to tackle hate, promote coexistence, and encourage inclusive discussion.”
She appreciated the collaboration of Salim Habib University and noted that such forums bridge the gap between academia, media, and public institutions, promoting a holistic understanding of extremism and resilience.