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PESHAWAR, Nov 26 (APP): PAIMAN Trust, in collaboration with KP Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism, marked the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) with a high-level commemoration at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly on Wednesday.
The event was graced by the Speaker of the Assembly, Babar Saleem Swati, as Chief Guest, and attended by Members of the Provincial Assembly, senior government officials, academics, civil society representatives, and media personnel.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Bushra Hyder, peace education expert, highlighted that UNSCR 1325 is rooted in Pakistan’s own constitutional values of justice, equality, dignity, and inclusive development.
“This resolution is not foreign to us; it aligns with our national resilience and our collective aspiration for a peaceful Pakistan,” she said.
She underscored that today’s gathering marked a strengthened partnership between state institutions and women leaders, reaffirming that women are central to the country’s peace and security vision.
Dr. Sumera Shams, Chairperson of the KP Commission on the Status of Women, provided an overview of UNSCR 1325, emphasizing its four foundational pillars—Prevention, Participation, Protection, and Relief & Recovery—and their relevance to women’s lived realities in conflict-affected contexts.
Speaking on the imperative for localized commitments, Ms. Mossarat Qadeem, Executive Director of PAIMAN Trust, called for the development of a Provincial Action Plan (PAP) on UNSCR 1325.
She urged legislators to seize this moment of leadership, stating:“KP has carried the burden of conflict for decades. By initiating a Provincial Action Plan, the Assembly can shape a new legacy—one rooted in resilience, inclusion, and sustainable peace.
Peace is built not by excluding women but by empowering them as partners and decision-makers.”She reaffirmed PAIMAN’s readiness to support the Assembly throughout this process.
MPA Amna Sardar spoke on the critical role of the legislature in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
She recommended establishing a WPS Secretariat within the Social Welfare and Women’s Development Department or the Home Department to coordinate the drafting and implementation of the Provincial Action Plan, with technical support from PAIMAN Trust.
Representing the law enforcement perspective, Muhammad Ali Babakhel emphasized that while UNSCR 1325 provides a global roadmap, its implementation depends on coordinated action among institutions such as the police, parliament, government departments, media, and communities.
“Women’s safety, leadership, and participation are central to national security,” he noted.
Akhtar Ali Shah, former DIG Police, stressed the need for strong coordination between state institutions, civil society, government departments, and women peacebuilders to ensure meaningful implementation of UNSCR 1325.
In his concluding address, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda. He announced the establishment of a Working Committee within the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus to lead the development of the Provincial Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, in consultation with experts, relevant government departments, and civil society partners.
The event concluded with all participants signing a collective pledge to support the development and future implementation of the Provincial Action Plan on UNSCR 1325—marking a significant step forward in institutionalizing gender-responsive peace and security in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.