Baacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation

Baacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation (BKTEF) which is carrying forward the non violence philosophy of Baacha Khan through a modern institutional structure organized a two days seminar on Peace, Democracy and Pluralism on February 17-18 2012. The seminar was attended by more than 200 participants including principals of Baacha Khan Schools, students of Baacha Khan Schools, educated youth from districts Mardan, Charssadda, Peshawar and Swabi and two agencies of FATA Khyber agency and Momand Agency.  Dr. Khadim Hussain MD BKTEF inaugurated the seminar and briefed the participants about the aim and objectives of the seminar. Dr. Ijaz Khattak, Chairmen, IR Department, University of Peshawar gave a detailed overview on what Pluralism and Democracy means. Advocate Muhammad Ali briefed about Democracy in Evolving World, Mr. Hussain Shaheed Suherwardi director South Asian Center for International and Regional Studies (SACIRS) talked about Conflict Management and Peace Building.

Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ms. Jamila Gillani inaugurated exhibition of works created by the students of Baacha Khan Schools on the topics of peace, pluralism and democracy.

On 18th Feb 2012, dialogue of the participants with the elected representatives was arranged on the topic of Peace, Democracy and Pluralism. Prominent among them were Mr. Qazi Asad, Minister for Higher Education, Ms. Shagufta Malik Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), and Mr. Jafar Shah, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The elected representatives offered an account of collective struggle of democratic institutions of Pakistan which resulted in 18th amendment of the constitution. They also brought to the lime light the fact that it was a mile stone to ensure peace and democracy in Pakistan on the basis of a pluralistic society.

Mr Naveed Jan Sahibzada Chief Human Resource Officer NADRA took an interactive session on the topic Pluralism and Youth.

Next session was launching ceremony of the book “Rethinking Education- Critical Discourse and Society” written by Dr. Khadim Hussain Managing Director Baacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation. On this occasion, scholars from all over the country shared their views about the book.

In the last session, prizes among the principals and students of Baacha Khan Schools were distributed.  Students from Baacha Khan Schools who won outstanding positions in “National Creativity Competition” organized by the Center for Civic Education were awarded shields and prizes by Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Minister for information and Culture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Students who participated and won various competitions in the first Children Literature Festival held in Lahore were also awarded. The awards were given by MNA Ms. Bushra Gohar, and other scholars of the country who participated in the seminar.

The whole seminar was concluded by Minister for Information and Culture, Mian Iftikhar Hussain who gave an overview on the basic theme and the components of the seminar. He appreciated efforts of the BKTEF for working towards a pluralist democratic society.