The National Youth Summit 2025 concluded today at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (UAJK) Chella Campus after five days of dialogue, cultural exchange, and collective learning aimed at promoting peace, pluralism, and youth empowerment. Organized under the Paigham-e-Pakistan Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies of the Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), in collaboration with UAJK, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), the European Union, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the event brought together hundreds of young leaders, academics, and policymakers from across the country.
Over the course of the summit, participants engaged in debate competitions, panel discussions, cultural nights, youth-led presentations, and guided visits to historic and scenic sites of Azad Kashmir. These activities were designed to foster national cohesion, strengthen inter-university linkages, counter violent extremism, and inspire young people to take leadership roles in shaping a peaceful and inclusive Pakistan.
Addressing the summit, AJK’s Minister for Education Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai urged the youth to rise above petty divisions, unite as a nation, and carry forward the vision of Pakistan’s forefathers with intellectual and ideological strength. He lauded Paigham-e-Pakistan’s role in providing a platform for constructive dialogue while paying tribute to the courage of the armed forces.
Prof Dr Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute, IIUI, stressed that Pakistan’s youth, who make up 65 percent of the population, hold the key to the country’s progress. He highlighted that more than eight workshops and over 40 activities had been conducted under the Paigham-e-Pakistan initiative, culminating in this significant summit in the valleys of Kashmir.
Registrar UAJK, Prof Dr Saadat Hanif Dar, welcomed the participants and described the youth as the country’s greatest asset. He expressed hope that the summit would strengthen values of peace, tolerance, and national harmony. Other scholars and experts also emphasized the importance of empowering young people to lead community-based initiatives for sustainable development and resilience.
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As the National Youth Summit 2025 drew to a close, participants carried with them the shared message of unity, peace, and pluralism, echoing the vision of building a stronger, more inclusive Pakistan.