Pakistan's Islamic Research Institute and NACTA sign a counter-extremism accord

The Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of the International Islamic University Islamabad and Pakistan's National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly counter violent extremism, strengthen inter-sectarian harmony and advance peacebuilding nationally. The agreement, signed by IIUI's acting rector Professor Ahmed Saad Alahmed and NACTA's national coordinator Jawad Ahmad Dogar, followed months of consultation, named focal persons on both sides, and legal vetting before approval. It is not a standing gesture: the partnership had already produced a pilot seminar on 9 July 2026, "Inter-Sectarian Harmony: Past Efforts and Future Roadmap," drawing scholars, policymakers and religious leaders, with a larger joint programme planned for August. The MoU also plugs into a national policy already underway -- the Ministry of Federal Education's directive to establish Countering Violent Extremism centres at universities -- with IRI and NACTA committing to build the research, training and curriculum support those centres will need. It is a recognisable institutional pattern: a university research institute and a state counter-terrorism body choosing joint, staffed, ongoing programming over a one-off statement of concern.

This is a QeRN summary by Ahmed Qerni. Read the original at Daily Parliament Times: https://www.dailyparliamenttimes.com/2026/07/25/iuis-iri-nacta-join-hands-to-counter-extremism-and-build-sectarian-harmony/.