Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday said that Pakistan was working to build a strong narrative to counter violent extremism and terrorism and for establishment of a peaceful, clean and green country.

Various law and environment experts and scholars at the seminar titled Peaceful, Clean & Green Pakistan organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute emphasised that it was the need of the hour to collectively fight against the menace of terrorism and protect the environment of the country.

Addressing the seminar, lawyer Dilawar Khan said that Pakistan did not have a counter-narrative against terrorism after the 9/11 incident, adding that in the recent years, the country is trying to build narrative against terrorism like the recently launched Paigham-e-Pakistan. He said the initiative reflects the unity and religious responsibility of the religious scholars from all schools of thought, adding that it would play key role in eliminating terrorism, trend of declaring others infidels, sectarianism and killing of the innocent people.

He said it was now easier for youth to play their role to curb terrorism as National Counter Terrorism Authority has launched online smartphone application Chaukas (alert) and Surfsafe web portal. He said the web applications would help users share any act of terrorism and extremism like wall chalking promoting sectarian violence and anti-state violence. Particularly, the Surfsafe would help counter cybercrime issues related to sharing of hate content and terrorist literature on social media websites, he said.

He further said the information recorded through the application would be shared with the police, Federal Investigation Agency and other law enforcement agencies for necessary action. The information of the citizens would be kept confidential, he added.

Environmental Expert Muhammad Qasim and other speakers said that the next wave of extremism would be eco-terrorism. They said the rapid increase in development projects have endangered the forests and green belts in the country. Muhammad Qasim said trees are necessary for proper charging of underground water resources. He said lack of awareness among the masses about their individual responsibility is jeopardising the environment of the country. He said 30 percent environment depletion has occurred in the world from 1992 to 2015 and if proper environment policy is not formed, Pakistan might run out of its forests in next 15 years. He said billion tree tsunami was a good initiative and it has given a message to the world about Pakistan’s commitment towards environment protection.

Published in Daily Times, April 25^th 2018.