IRS seminar highlights cultural heritage as a strategic tool against extremism

ISLAMABAD, Jun 11 (APP):The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, on Thursday hosted a high-level talk titled “Pluralism Over Polarization: Harnessing Cultural Heritage to Counter Violent Extremism in Pakistan.”

The aim of the event was to explore how cultural heritage, social cohesion, and inclusive narratives can strengthen Pakistan’s response to extremism.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem emphasized that cultural heritage is not merely a legacy of the past but a strategic asset for the future.

He argued that pluralism is fundamental to social cohesion, national resilience, and sustainable peace. Drawing on Pakistan’s rich history of coexistence and shared traditions, he stressed the need to promote an inclusive national identity that can counter extremist narratives and enhance Pakistan’s global image.

He reaffirmed IRS’s commitment to evidence-based policy dialogue. Participants broadly agreed that Pakistan’s response to violent extremism must extend beyond security measures and incorporate cultural, educational, economic, and media-based approaches within a coherent national framework.

Ihsan Ghani, former National Coordinator of NACTA, highlighted the imbalance between tactical counter-terrorism efforts and broader counter-extremism initiatives aimed at preventing radicalization.

He argued that cultural initiatives, including community festivals, local theatres, artistic exchanges, and support for traditional arts, can provide positive social identities that weaken extremist appeal. He called for strengthening cultural institutions, promoting local artists in conflict-affected areas, and reviving inter-provincial cultural festivals.

Major General (Retd.) Zahid Mahmood, Principal at NUST, identified poor governance and institutional shortcomings as major drivers of polarization. He underscored the importance of educational institutions in shaping identity, citizenship, and belonging, particularly among youth who extremist recruiters often target. Stressing the growing influence of social media, he advocated empowering young people to create and amplify counter-narratives while promoting digital literacy and civic responsibility.

Offering a media and policy perspective, Amir Ghauri, Editor, The News, argued that economic deprivation, unemployment, and exclusion create vulnerabilities that extremist groups exploit. He emphasized that sustainable counter-extremism requires parallel investment in economic opportunity, curriculum reform, and effective oversight of educational and religious institutions.

Hassan Khan, Senior Journalist, cautioned against attributing polarization to any single factor, describing it as a complex phenomenon rooted in historical, political, economic, and social dynamics. He called for highlighting Pakistan’s stories of resilience, coexistence, and cultural achievement while integrating pluralistic values and shared civic identity into educational curricula.

The seminar was moderated by Dr. Rizwan Naseer, Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Centre for Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism Studies (CCTVES) at IRS.

The event was attended by academicians, researchers, media personnel, and students.