'Varsity campuses see 40% rise in hate speech'

Experts call for promoting emotional resilience, tolerance

FAISALABAD:

One out of four university students in Pakistan are reportedly exposed to extremist content online, while hate speech incidents on campuses have surged by 40% over the past five years.

This alarming trend was highlighted by Dr Imtiaz Dogar, Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Faisalabad Medical University, during a seminar titled "From Learning Spaces to Social Peace: Empowering Minds to Prevent Violence and Extremism".

The event was organised by the Institute of Agricultural Extension, Education and Rural Development at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

Dr Dogar explained that certain behavioral red flags often precede violence and extremism, including social withdrawal, persistent anger, rigid thinking patterns, and intolerance toward differing viewpoints.

He also pointed out risk factors unique to Pakistani universities, such as social isolation, unmanaged emotional stress, exposure to extremist narratives, and lack of constructive engagement.

He stressed the importance of strengthening students' emotional resilience and creating campuses that promote peace, critical thinking, and mutual respect.

Khalida Rafiq, Regional Director of Faisalabad Social Welfare, emphasised that preventing violence and extremism requires collective social responsibility.

She urged families, educational institutions, and community organisations to work together to foster tolerance and respect among youth.

According to her, nurturing critical inquiry, ethical values, and inclusive learning environments is key to curbing intolerance.