Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) organized a two-day National Capacity Building Workshop on Counter Terrorism: Strategic Communication and Media Management on February 19-20, 2018. The participants of the workshop included honourable members from the Senate, National Assembly, four Provincial Assemblies and Legislative Assemblies of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The workshop aimed to assist the parliamentarians in devising a holistic narrative against terrorism and to improve their media management skills vis-à-vis counter terrorism and strategic communication during crisis situations.  

On the first day of the workshop, the chief guest, Honourable Senator Farhatullah Babar shared his thoughts on the importance of formulating a comprehensive counter terrorism narrative. He argued that there is a need to dismantle the communication networks of the militants. He posited that counter narrative against terrorism requires fostering freedom of expression and establishing an intellectual infrastructure by engaging academia and intelligentsias. He emphasized that the menace of terrorism could only be tamed by a concerted effort by all segments of the society. In the next session, distinguished Islamic scholar, Mr. Khursheed Nadeem apprised the participants about the role of parliamentarians in development and dissemination of national narrative against violent extremism and terrorism. He highlighted the role of political leaders in promoting peace and harmony. It was also pointed out that the prevailing extremism in society is a manifestation of use of religion by vested interest groups to further their narrow agendas. The second panelist of the discussion, Dr. Mowadat H. Rana deliberated on psychological impact of strategic communication on society through media engagement. The worthy expert maintained that terrorism has historical, political, socio-economic, military and psychological basis. He pondered over the psychological factors behind the menace of terrorism and suggested that the parliamentarians need to shape an unambiguous narrative against terrorism. Leading journalist and media person, Ms. Katrina Hussain, facilitated the next session on training on crisis communication with respect to media. She identified the factors that had contributed towards the prevalent terrorism in the country. She emphasized on the need to build a coherent state narrative against terrorism and to ensure widespread dissemination of such narrative.

The first session of the second day of the workshop was conducted by Mr. Usman Zafar from Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC). He shared the key findings of the PPC research on the issue of terrorism. The data included the opinions of people from all parts of the country. The second session of the day was facilitated by renowned broadcaster and public policy specialist, Barrister Mahreen Khan. She expounded her views on media engagement and extremism. She suggested some important tips on effective communication with media in terrorism related situations. At the conclusion of the workshop, the honourable members expressed their desire to organize more such capacity building trainings in the future and appreciated the collaborative efforts of PIPS and PPC on holding such an important workshop. The honorable parliamentarians affirmed that the valuable insight imparted in the workshop would assist them in developing a holistic narrative against terrorism.        

Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services (PIPS) in collaboration with Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) organized a two-day National Capacity Building Workshop on Counter Terrorism: Strategic Communication and Media Management on February 19-20, 2018. The participants of the workshop included honourable members from the Senate, National Assembly, four Provincial Assemblies and Legislative Assemblies of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The workshop aimed to assist the parliamentarians in devising a holistic narrative against terrorism and to improve their media management skills vis-à-vis counter terrorism and strategic communication during crisis situations.  

On the first day of the workshop, the chief guest, Honourable Senator Farhatullah Babar shared his thoughts on the importance of formulating a comprehensive counter terrorism narrative. He argued that there is a need to dismantle the communication networks of the militants. He posited that counter narrative against terrorism requires fostering freedom of expression and establishing an intellectual infrastructure by engaging academia and intelligentsias. He emphasized that the menace of terrorism could only be tamed by a concerted effort by all segments of the society. In the next session, distinguished Islamic scholar, Mr. Khursheed Nadeem apprised the participants about the role of parliamentarians in development and dissemination of national narrative against violent extremism and terrorism. He highlighted the role of political leaders in promoting peace and harmony. It was also pointed out that the prevailing extremism in society is a manifestation of use of religion by vested interest groups to further their narrow agendas. The second panelist of the discussion, Dr. Mowadat H. Rana deliberated on psychological impact of strategic communication on society through media engagement. The worthy expert maintained that terrorism has historical, political, socio-economic, military and psychological basis. He pondered over the psychological factors behind the menace of terrorism and suggested that the parliamentarians need to shape an unambiguous narrative against terrorism. Leading journalist and media person, Ms. Katrina Hussain, facilitated the next session on training on crisis communication with respect to media. She identified the factors that had contributed towards the prevalent terrorism in the country. She emphasized on the need to build a coherent state narrative against terrorism and to ensure widespread dissemination of such narrative.

The first session of the second day of the workshop was conducted by Mr. Usman Zafar from Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC). He shared the key findings of the PPC research on the issue of terrorism. The data included the opinions of people from all parts of the country. The second session of the day was facilitated by renowned broadcaster and public policy specialist, Barrister Mahreen Khan. She expounded her views on media engagement and extremism. She suggested some important tips on effective communication with media in terrorism related situations. At the conclusion of the workshop, the honourable members expressed their desire to organize more such capacity building trainings in the future and appreciated the collaborative efforts of PIPS and PPC on holding such an important workshop. The honorable parliamentarians affirmed that the valuable insight imparted in the workshop would assist them in developing a holistic narrative against terrorism.