By Hira Nafees Shah

Swat Valley’s Wadudia Hall, built in 1968, has boasted numerous visits of Pakistani politicians over the years.  But never had a female speaker taken the stage in this historic building until January 2014 when Syeda Natasha Anwar spoke at the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network’s (PUAN) first ever Swat Youth Conference.

Organized by Global UGrad alumnus Saad Khan with the help of an alumni small grant, the conference’s theme was “Aman Mera Haq” (Peace is My Right).

“I wanted to arrange a youth conference because such work has never been done before in Swat,” Khan said. “People are even afraid of saying the word ‘peace’ [there]; it is not discussed because of security concerns.”

Only just a few years ago Swat was overrun by Taliban militants in 2007, who brought their own strict interpretation of Islam to the residents of the valley. By 2009, conditions had deteriorated to such an extent, that a full scale military operation was launched to flush them out.

Even now after the restoration of peace, grim memories continue to haunt the natives. And it is in this context, that the youth conference was held, which helped to bring some much needed joy to the war-weary residents of the valley.

“I believe the Swat Youth Conference is a very good initiative as it will help ensure that fear comes to an end from the hearts of the locals,” said Shagufta Gul, a participant at the event.

During the two day affair, prominent social workers, teachers, journalists, politicians and local heroes delivered speeches and conducted sessions on how the youth of Swat can become active citizens and ensure a lasting peace in the district. More than 200 students belonging to different educational institutes and members of civil society also took part, including a significant female turnout.

There was also an impressive number of female speakers who spoke about challenges they had faced from extremists who had tried to put a stop to their education and turn back the wheels of women empowerment.

“I am now a District Coordinator Malakand, but have managed to do everything while wearing the veil,” said social worker Rani Sadiq, which drew thunderous applause from the audience.

Sadiq said she agreed to speak at the conference because she wanted to motivate other women. Her non-profit organization funded scholarships for 25 first-year female students and she also personally supported the education of 10 female graduate students.

Other speakers at the event included special needs persons like SUSI alumnus Asfandyar Khan Khattak who set up the Khyber Disability Forum to address the needs of disadvantaged people in the province. Energizers conducted by speaker Zayedan Khan employed humor to draw attention to some of the challenges facing the region.

The participants also welcomed a lecture on career development and break-out sessions in which they discussed various problems related to Khyber Pakhtunhkwa and possible solutions.

The conference drew enthusiastic participation from alumni from other regions of Pakistan. Jawad Ahmed Khan, SUSI alumnus and Balochistan chapter president gave a motivational speech highlighting the importance of taking practical action to bring about change.

For Syeda Natasha Anwar, Legislative Fellowship Program alumna and keynote speaker, the event–the first of its kind in the valley–helped remove misperceptions that women were unable to host, speak and participate in large gatherings.

“My motivation for playing such an active role in the Swat Youth Conference was that I wanted to be a role model for other females,” said Anwar. “If women participation continues to remain this encouraging, we might end up taking this event to the division level and organizing a Malakand Youth Expo.”

Another female participant Anila Khan cited Anwar as her inspiration during the conference and said she is now motivated to arrange a discussion about the problems of special needs persons.

But the event did not just inspire women. It inspired men, too. For Fareedullah Taimoor, a first year student, the gathering was a learning experience which helped breakdown stereotypes.

“The Swat Youth Conference helped in the open exchange of ideas and now there is a hope for change,” said Taimoor.

Mohammad Bilal, another participant paid a tribute to the organizers for having arranged the forum.

“I want to thank the organizers for taking an initiative in Swat in such trying circumstances,” he said. “The youth conference is a big step towards peace.”

Saad Khan, the main organizer had his own way of expressing his satisfaction at the successful culmination of the event.

“I was very apprehensive about security and my parents had also told me to quit trying to arrange the Swat Youth Conference,” Khan said. “But now that it has taken place successfully, I am so proud and have received such positive feedback, that I am short of words to express my happiness.”

For more on the Swat Youth Conference, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/SwatYouthConference?ref=profile