The Sindh government has formally identified poverty, inadequate education, and poor healthcare as root causes of crime and extremism, launching a collaborative strategy with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) to enhance national security through socio-economic development.
According to a Sindh Home Department report today, the initiative was unveiled at a high-level dialogue where Home Minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar also announced that 71 dacoits have recently surrendered to the police, attributing this to public confidence in the administration”s policies.
The consultative dialogue, organized by the PPAF, aimed to fortify the partnership between the provincial government”s Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) and the national apex fund. The goal is to advance efforts in preventing violent extremism through inclusive, community-based, and evidence-driven methods.
The event gathered senior government officials and leaders of Sindh-based civil society organizations (CSOs) that implement development projects. Notable attendees included Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Muhammad Iqbal Memon, Addl: IG CTD Azad Khan, and Prosecutor General Sindh Muntazir Mehdi.
Mr. Zia ul Hassan Lanjar, Minister for Home, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs, was the chief guest and stated that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to building peaceful communities. “Lasting peace is only possible when people feel included, empowered, and heard,” he remarked, emphasizing that engaging CSOs allows for addressing both the symptoms of poverty and the drivers of radicalism.
The minister outlined a joint strategy involving the private sector and social welfare organizations to combat deprivation. He affirmed that community participation is the government”s top priority for sustainable development, stating, “Poverty reduction is directly linked to national security and social stability – which require transparent policies, public engagement, and concrete actions.”
Mr. Lanjar described Sindh as a “land of peace, love, and tolerance,” urging a return to the principles of Sufism, which he called a spiritual and cultural asset capable of offering solutions to modern challenges. He advised citizens to ignore negativity on social media and promote a positive mindset.
Highlighting a tangible security outcome, the Home Minister revealed that a rehabilitation package has been announced for the families of the surrendered dacoits to facilitate their reintegration into society as productive citizens.
Muhammad Iqbal Memon, the Additional Chief Secretary (Home), elaborated on the CVE center”s vision, stressing the strong connection between economic hardship and extremism. He noted that PPAF”s civil society partners are vital for mobilizing communities and designing effective, data-driven projects.
Nadir Gul Barech, CEO of PPAF, said the organization”s experience demonstrates that empowered communities become the “strongest defenders of peace and progress.” He asserted that sustainable change originates from within communities and that “peace and poverty alleviation are deeply interconnected; one cannot thrive without the other.”
The dialogue recognized the crucial role of PPAF’s partner CSOs, whose deep community linkages make them essential in addressing the socio-economic factors behind extremism. The consensus was that integrating local insights from these organizations into policymaking is key to ensuring that interventions remain relevant and sustainable.