84 VCs attend first-ever conference on Countering Violent Extremism in Punjab

The Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CECVE) under the Home Department organised the first-ever Vice Chancellors’ Conference in Punjab’s history under the National Action Plan and the National Policy on Countering Violent Extremism 2024 to promote a coordinated academic role in preventing extremism and fostering social harmony

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Feb, 2026) The Punjab Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CECVE) under the Home Department organised the first-ever Vice Chancellors’ Conference in Punjab’s history under the National Action Plan and the National Policy on Countering Violent Extremism 2024 to promote a coordinated academic role in preventing extremism and fostering social harmony.

Vice chancellors of 84 public and private universities attended the conference.

Provincial Minister and Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order Khawaja Salman Rafique presided over the conference, which highlighted the role of universities in fostering national cohesion, tolerance and intellectual development.

Secretary Home Punjab Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, Chairman HEC Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad, Secretary Auqaf Dr Ehsan Bhutta, Additional IG Operations Muhammad Ali Nekokara, Special Secretary Home Fazal-ur-Rehman, Chief Coordination Officer Ghulam Sagheer Shahid, Deputy Coordination Officer Dr Ahmad Khawar Shehzad, Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari attended the conference.

Khawaja Salman Rafique appreciated the efforts of the Home Department and CECVE for organizing the conference on such a critical subject. He said that the fight against terrorism and extremism was a collective national responsibility and required unity, practical measures and sustained efforts to ensure lasting peace in society.

He emphasised that educational institutions had a key role in character building of youth and in countering intolerance, misinformation, social tensions and identity-based conflicts.

He said that universities, as centres of higher learning, significantly shaped national, social, intellectual and civic trends and must actively promote moderation and harmony.

Secretary Home Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi said that the framework of the Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Act 2025 provided guidance for inclusive engagement of all schools of thought. He added that education was a Primary safeguard against violent extremism and stressed the need to promote positive thinking among youth through awareness and academic engagement.

The participants noted that Punjab, being a major hub of higher education with a large youth population, held strategic importance in promoting social cohesion and preventing violent extremism. Vice chancellors termed universities vital stakeholders in building a peaceful and tolerant society and endorsed a joint commitment to counter extremism through awareness, research and coordinated academic initiatives.

A joint communique issued after the conference underscored the importance of higher education institutions in addressing social polarisation, intolerance, misinformation and identity-based conflicts, and called for enhanced collaboration to strengthen national unity and harmony.