2nd Narowal Peace Dialogue 2026

The Narowal Peace Dialogue is a premier platform that was initiated on May 6, 2025, to bring together diverse communities, faiths, schools of thought and various segments of Pakistani society to raise a united, strong and clear voice for peace, harmony, national integrity and social cohesion. This is a structured forum that facilitates conversations aimed at conflict resolution, fostering mutual understanding, and building sustainable peace through connecting local, national, and international stakeholders. This initiative of Professor Ahsan Iqbal who is an eminent politician and forward-looking development mind of Pakistan is focused on inclusivity, bringing together civil society, policymakers, and communities to address issues like security, human rights, and social cohesion. This platform celebrates the diversity of Pakistan and pluralistic values that have underpinned in our society.

It is a very serious effort to find innovative solutions to the menace of hatred, violent extremism, incitement to violence and conflict. It is structured to guide the new generations to contribute to the process of civilization of society through profound change in human behavior and construction of the modern democratic, developed state and transition from troublemakers and belligerents to civilized human beings. Today, the Narowal Peace Dialogue has become a major international forum for peaceful coexistence, spearheading a new narrative of resilience, pluralism, and dialogue for Pakistan and beyond.

May 6,2018 is sad day of the history of Pakistan when the then Interior Minister of Pakistan His excellency Ahsan Iqbal was shot at and injured during a corner meeting in Narowal's Kanjrur tehsil on Sunday. It was an “assassination attempt.” He was shot by the assailant ─ who was also present at the corner meeting with a 30bore pistol from 20 yards. Mr. Ahsan Iqbal had sustained a bullet wound in his right shoulder. He was initially shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Narowal following the attack but was later airlifted in a helicopter to Lahore where he received further medical treatment. The suspected shooter was taken into custody. He was identified as a local 20-year-old youth residing in the jurisdiction of the Shah Gharib police station in Kanjrur tehsil. He was influenced by hate ideology and was incited in this hate crime.

His Excellency Mr. Ahsan Iqbal faced this attack bravely and decided to work more for the peace building and welfare of the people of Pakistan. People of Narowal and Pakistan remember this scarification and commemorate it every year from 2019. The Narowal dialogue was conceived to remember that violent extremism is no longer a distant threat, but one that festers within our communities — often unnoticed, until it erupts. Narowal peace dialogue is indicating our commitment to show that this tragedy did not break our resolve. If anything, it strengthened our belief that the fight against extremism is not just about security measures, but about establishing positive peace where every citizen can live with dignity, safety and peace of mind. What therefore began as a solemn commemoration has, over the course of its annual gatherings since 2019, grown into a beacon for those who seek to bridge divides and nurture peace. It stands as a gathering not only of individuals, but of stories, tales of resilience, of triumph over adversity, and of a collective yearning for peace and harmony.

The last year theme of the Dialogue was “Rejecting hate, Rebuilding peace” that focuses on the stories of resilience and struggle for peace and unity in the face of divisive forces. This event was more than just a commemoration — it was a call to action. The event brought together policymakers, scholars, youth, and civil society to explore holistic approaches to counter violent extremism — through education, community engagement, interfaith harmony, and digital literacy. It provided a platform to reflect, debate, and envision a Pakistan where diversity is celebrated, and peace is not just a slogan but a lived reality. This dialogue was dedicated not only to the courage and resilience of Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, but also to the thousands of unnamed citizens, teachers, and students who continue to stand firm against the tide of hatred. Let us make this day be a national recommitment to peace — starting from Narowal, reaching every corner of Pakistan.

The 2nd Narowal Peace dialogue 2026 seeks to provide an intellectual platform for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to engage in meaningful dialogue on peacebuilding, social cohesion, inclusive education, and sustainable development. Consistent with the international development frameworks and national priorities, aims of the peace dialogue are as under:

• 1. Promoting intellectual dialogue: Engaging various stakeholders on peace, inter and intra- faith harmony, social cohesion
• 2. Conflict Transformation: Addressing the root causes of conflict, reducing tensions, and transforming hostile relationships into collaborative, peaceful co-existence and respectable ethics of disagreement.
• 3. Building Trust and Understanding: Fostering independent judiciaries and civic participation to ensure state accountability.
• 4. Empowering Civil Society & Youth: This dialogue initiative drives sustainable development, democratic accountability, and social cohesion by fostering active civic engagement, providing digital skills, and enabling participation in decision-making.
• 5. Strengthening Rule of Law & Democracy: Strengthening the rule of law and democracy involves fostering independent judiciaries, enhancing legal frameworks, combating corruption, and promoting civic participation to ensure state accountability. Narowal dialogue focus on building fair, accessible, and transparent legal systems that protect human rights and marginalize groups while fostering democratic, stable, and economically prosperous nations.
• 6. Ensuring representation of diverse perspectives, including minority groups and women, in finding equitable, sustainable solutions. Narowal Peace dialogue intentionally fostering a welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and respected.
• 7. These goals will be achieved through paper presentations, panel discussions, community meetings, youth workshops, peace competition and multi-stakeholder dialogues, fostering a collective responsibility for peace acquest.