Lessons in history: ‘Community mobilisation key to conflict resolution’

Akhtar Hameed Khan memorial lecture recalls social scientist’s contribution.

ISLAMABAD:

Amid the chaos and turmoil prevalent in the country, the work of eminent development activist and social scientist, Akhtar Hameed Khan, brings forth a sense of inspiration and points a way out.

Khan promoted participatory rural development in Pakistan and other developing countries and widely advocated community participation at the grass-root level.

To commemorate his death anniversary, marked on October 9, and honour his vision and contributions, the annual Akhtar Hameed Khan Lecture was held at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) on Thursday.

This year’s lecture, “Communities, Conflict and Governance,” was delivered by Ejaz Raheem, a social and economic development expert. “The only way forward for Pakistan from the current state of conflict is to mobilise the community for an amicable solution to the country’s crises,” said Rehman, who has over 30 years of experience in the field.

Raheem stated that Pakistan’s predicaments were due to the erosion of equity and lack of institutional security. “Inequitable service delivery of institutional resources is leading the society towards violence and destruction.”



Sharing ideas and concepts of the Khan, Raheem said the Orangi Pilot Project, which aimed to empower, by collaborative means, the largest squatter community of Karachi, could be a role model for other cities and remote areas of Pakistan.

“The result of the project was the amicable solution of the conflict between Muhajirs and Pakhtuns by community leaders instead of a violent showdown on the street,” stated Raheem reading excerpts from Khan’s article, “Pacifying Violence in Orangi.”

Raheem suggested that mobilisation of communities could be initiated in conflict-hit areas of K-P and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He, however, said the government should not micromanage community-level bodies and let them take root naturally.

Akhtar Hameed Khan Resource Centre (AHKRC) Chairperson Shoaib Sultan Khan recalled his days with his mentor by sharing anecdotes. He also stressed the private sector to play its due role in adhering to corporate social responsibility initiatives.

NUST Rector Muhammad Asghar announced the establishment of a Rs10 million Akhtar Hameed Khan Endowment Fund to serve as a merit-based financial aid pool for deserving students.

Akhter Hameed Khan’s book award was also announced for 2011 and 2012. Dr Unaiza Niaz, a psychiatrist and Dr Taimur Rahman, a professor at Lums  received the awards.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2013.