National strategy needed to protect youth from ideological confusion, extremism and digital propaganda: Ashrafi

ISLAMABAD, Nov 4 (APP): Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Coordinator of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, on Wednesday said a comprehensive national strategy is essential to protect Pakistan’s youth from religious divisions, extremism, terrorism and misleading propaganda on social media.

Addressing the National Youth Programme Development Conference 2026 held here, he described girls’ education as the foundation of national development and said every girl must be provided equal opportunities to receive quality education.
He also stressed the need to prevent the use of drugs, narcotics and other harmful substances in educational institutions, build students’ character and promote healthy activities.
He said digital awareness and the habit of verifying information must be promoted among young people to counter the irresponsible use of social media, fake news and hateful content.
He said, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, education, awareness, authentic religious guidance and national unity must be promoted to protect young people from the misleading narratives of Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.
The Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council said Ulema and Mashaikh should play an effective role against terrorism, suicide attacks, sectarianism and religious extremism. He said the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee was playing an important role in bringing together all schools of thought and religious communities to promote inter-sect and interfaith harmony, peace and national unity.
He paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces, national security institutions and, particularly, the ongoing efforts under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir against terrorism, as well as the great sacrifices of the martyrs. He said sacrifices made over more than two decades had played an important role in safeguarding Pakistan’s defence, security and dignity at the international level.
Ashrafi said Pakistan’s future was linked to an educated, principled, united and peace-loving young generation that rejected terrorism and extremism and played its role in the country’s development, security and prosperity.
In his welcome address, Acting Chief Commissioner of the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association, Hafiz Tariq Mahmood, appreciated the consistent efforts of Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Coordinator of the National Paigham-e-Aman Committee, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, for social reform, peace and tolerance, inter-sect and interfaith harmony, and the promotion of positive national values. He said Ashrafi was playing a valuable role in bringing about reformative change in society through a constructive and positive approach and in the intellectual and moral development of the younger generation.
Scouts from across the country attended the conference.