30/04/2026
Development Action Cell Hosts Expert Seminars on “Conflict, CVE and Development in KP”.
The Development Action Cell (DAC) of the Development Studies Program organised a series of expert seminars focusing on critical debates in development theory and practice.
The sessions featured distinguished practitioners, Dr. Syed Aamer Abdullah and Dr. Atif Ikram Butt, who offered students valuable insights into conflict, governance, and evolving understandings of development.
The first session, on “Conflict, CVE and Development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” was delivered by Dr. Syed Aamer Abdullah on 29th April 2026.
Dr Abdullah has 24 years of experience in governance, policy reform, conflict management, and peacebuilding across Pakistan.
He has previously served as Minister for Tribal Affairs (Newly Merged Districts of ex-FATA) and Minister for Industries, Commerce, and Technical Education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Dr. Abdullah provided an in-depth overview of countering violent extremism (CVE), conflict dynamics, and their interlinkages with development challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, contextualising theory with practical governance experiences.
This was followed by a thought-provoking session on “What is Development?” held on 30th April 2026 by Dr. Atif Ikram Butt, a distinguished expert in public advocacy, strategic communication, and social and behavioural change with over two decades of experience in international development. Dr. Butt has served as Chief of the Public Advocacy and Communication Section at the United Nations Environment Programme. His lecture traced the evolution of the concept of development, explored its multiple dimensions and paradigms, and emphasised the importance of applying a critical lens to development discourse and practice.
The seminars were moderated by Khalid Mahmood, PhD Scholar and Member of the Development Action Cell, along with Dr. Kashif Saeed, Graduate Study Advisor for Development Studies and Coordinator of the Development Action Cell.
The sessions concluded with a vote of thanks and a reaffirmation of DAC’s commitment to further enhancing regular academic engagements with leading development practitioners and scholars.
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