NACTA, UNDP sign MoU to empower Pakistani youth

Nacta will be supported by UNDP through an internship initiative

ISLAMABAD: In pursuance of the objectives of the National Counter Extremism Policy, National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday in Islamabad.

The MoU was signed to cooperate on outreach and development in order to enhance the resilience, empowerment and citizenship engagement of the Pakistani youth – an integral component of the National Counter Extremism Policy Pakistan.

The MoU was signed by Nacta National Coordinator Ihsan Ghani, and UNDP Pakistan Country Director Ignacio Artaza. The signing ceremony was attended by Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) Director General Marryam Khan and Nacta Policy and Implementation (PI) Director Nida Anum.



Under its new National Counter-Extremism Policy, Nacta will be supported by UNDP through a youth internship initiative. These initiatives will create opportunities for Pakistani youth to gain experience in the public policy sector, understand how policy development occurs, and promote collaboration and cooperation between the State and its citizens.

According to Nacta National Coordinator, academics remained an integral part of the formulation of NCEP. He said that Nacta was already engaged with HEC and academic institutions for enlisting views of students and faculty regarding ways to build a more peaceful and tolerant society.



“The policy envisions a whole of government and society response to resolve problems related to extremism and terrorism”, NACTA CVE Director General Marryam Khan said.

“Young people have a crucial role to play in meaningful public policy, social cohesion and sustainable development,” UNDP Pakistan Country Director Ignacio Artaza said. “This enhanced collaboration with Nacta will help create conditions for Pakistani youth to contribute in building a peaceful and prosperous society”, he added.