LAHORE: Secretary Auqaf Punjab, Dr Ehsan Bhutta, has said that comprehensive and effective measures are being taken to counter extremism in the province.
He stated that initiatives are being introduced to improve school education and to enhance the skill development of students of religious seminaries through short courses in collaboration with the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA).
He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting regarding the “Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism”.Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ahmad Khawar Shehzad briefed during the meeting Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism” will be established throughout the province. He also briefed the participants on the various matters related to the human resource structure and the implementation mechanism of key policy pillars and discussed different aspects in detail.
Dr Ehsan Bhutta emphasized that the role of the Auqaf Department is vital in promoting interfaith and inter-sect harmony, adding that the dissemination of positive content based on religious teachings is essential for ensuring peace. He further stated that Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed between Jamia Hajveria, Data Darbar, and leading educational institutions including Government College University, Minhaj-ul-Quran University, LUMS, and Punjab University to further enhance students’ access to modern education and improve research standards.
He also highlighted that technical skill development programmes for madrassa students and rehabilitation programmes in jails will be launched as part of the broader reform agenda.
The meeting was attended by the Punjab Home Department, CEO Ahmad Khawar Shehzad, Deputy CEO Sagheer Ahmed, and Consultant Sohail Ahmed Additional Secretary Auqaf Nabila Javed, Director General Religious Affairs Shahid Hassan Kilani.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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