Education is key to preventing extremism and fostering peace in Pakistan. Comprehensive reforms, improved infrastructure, and learning from successful models are essential for creating a more educated and harmonious society.

Undoubtedly, the education system plays a critical role in both preventing and propagating extremism. Its impact largely depends on the underlying educational philosophy, school curricula, and pedagogical methods used to impart knowledge to students. A cohesive, forward-thinking, and modern educational framework is crucial in deterring extremist ideologies from taking root. The effectiveness of this system is pivotal, making it essential to regularly assess and improve the quality of education. On October 2, 2017, Ms. Tawakkol Karman delivered the second Ahinsa Lecture at the The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Headquarters in Paris, commemorating the International Day of Non-Violence. Her lecture, titled 'Working Towards Peace Building and Sustainable Development,' highlighted the urgent need for educational reform. According to Karman, current education systems are under-resourced, with deficiencies in curricula, teacher qualifications, and facilities such as equipment and laboratories. These shortcomings hinder students' cognitive and physical development, with only a few effective schools serving as notable exceptions. The current education systems exhibit many deficiencies and must stay abreast of the latest advancements in methodologies and legislation. The youth are valuable assets that should be preserved and prevented from becoming detrimental forces or liabilities to society.

The youth are valuable assets that should be preserved and prevented from becoming detrimental forces or liabilities to society.

Regarding the role of students, they must possess the ability of critical thinking to avoid susceptibility to extreme ideas. Students must possess cognitive abilities such as critical thinking, learning, and the capacity to engage in constructive discussions and criticism, free from societal restrictions. These skills are essential for fostering a strong commitment to logical reasoning and preventing susceptibility to polarization. Shaping compassionate students is challenging due to various factors, particularly the lack of a political and moral initiative at the state level. Additionally, the difficulty in addressing students' emotions and inquiries and the influence of extremist platforms such as media outlets and social media further complicates the task. These platforms can engage with students on their terms and answer their questions, even if they need to be clarified or misguided. Hence, it is imperative to focus on approaches that enhance the level of logical reasoning among pupils and foster their curiosity instead of suppressing it. 
Pakistan, a country abundant in cultural heritage and potential confronts the widespread issue of human aggression. The origins of this violence are complex, involving several factors. Nevertheless, education proves to be a powerful instrument in addressing these problems and promoting a peaceful and progressive society. This article examines the crucial role of education in addressing and resolving human violence in Pakistan. It highlights the necessity of urgent measures such as an education emergency, policy regulation, educational reforms, leveraging digital media, infrastructural development, and countering misinformation instigated by individuals.

The Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive framework for tackling global concerns, including violence. Goal 4 of the UN SDGs aims to guarantee that everyone has access to fair and high-quality education and opportunities for continuous learning throughout their lives. Education has a crucial role in attaining the other SDGs, including the reduction of poverty (Goal 1), the promotion of gender equality (Goal 5), and the cultivation of peace, justice, and robust institutions (Goal 16). A ripple effect can be generated by prioritizing SDG 4 in Pakistan, leading to a better-educated population that can comprehend and tackle the underlying factors of violence. 
Pakistan has been actively endeavoring to synchronize its educational policies and activities with the SDGs, namely SDG 4, which emphasizes the guarantee of inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all. Pakistan is implementing the SDGs to advance education and combat human violence. Following are some significant strategies being employed at the national and provincial level.
Government Initiatives at the National Level
Pakistan's government has integrated the SDGs into its national education policies and objectives. The Vision 2025 and the National Education Policy 2017 highlight the significance of education in attaining sustainable development and mitigating violence. These programs have the objective of increasing access to high-quality education, raising literacy rates, and diminishing gender inequities in education.

Goal 4 of the UN SDGs aims to guarantee that everyone has access to fair and high-quality education and opportunities for continuous learning throughout their lives.

Government Initiatives at the Provincial Level
Education has been decentralized to the provincial level following the implementation of the 18^th Amendment to the Constitution. Each province has developed its education sector strategies in alignment with the SDGs. For example:
▪   The Punjab Education Sector Reform Programme (PESRP) aims to increase enrollment, reduce dropout rates, and improve the quality of education in Punjab.
▪     The Sindh Education Sector Plan (SESP) focuses on enhancing educational facilities and teacher training in the province of Sindh.

The Vision 2025 and the National Education Policy 2017 highlight the significance of education in attaining sustainable development and mitigating violence. These programs have the objective of increasing access to high-quality education, raising literacy rates, and diminishing gender inequities in education.

▪   The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Sector Plan (KESP) addresses the educational needs of regions affected by terrorism.
Tackling Gender Inequity. Pakistan has implemented several programs to tackle gender inequities in education, including the "Girls' Right to Education Programme," which aims to enhance female enrollment in schools, particularly in rural and poor regions. Addressing gender disparity in education is essential for empowering women and mitigating gender-based violence.
Informal Education Programs. Pakistan has been adopting non-formal education programs to enhance literacy rates and offer learning opportunities to individuals not enrolled in traditional schooling, including children and adults. These programs contribute to the reduction of violence by fostering social inclusion and facilitating economic empowerment.
Enhancing Organizational Capabilities. A primary objective is to enhance the quality of education by improving teacher training and curriculum development. Initiatives such as Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for instructors aim to improve teaching abilities and guarantee that educators can proficiently convey principles of tolerance and peace.
Utilization of Digital Media. Pakistan is utilizing digital media to enhance the reach of education. The "TeleSchool" concept was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver educational information through television, specifically targeting kids in distant regions. Digital media also counteracts propaganda and advances messages advocating peace and tolerance.
Advancement of Physical Structures and Systems. Continual efforts are being made to enhance educational infrastructure through initiatives focused on constructing and upgrading schools, providing essential amenities like clean water and sanitation, and ensuring secure learning environments. Improved infrastructure can increase school accessibility and enhance the learning environment, thereby reducing dropout rates and the likelihood of young people engaging in violent activities.
Global Cooperation and Financial Support. Pakistan partners with global institutions such as UNESCO, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the World Bank to execute educational initiatives that align with the SDGs. These partnerships offer technical and financial assistance to improve the education system and tackle problems with violence and social unity.
STEM Education. STEM education plays a vital role in providing individuals with the necessary critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation tools. Pakistan may foster a cohort of intellectuals and pioneers capable of addressing societal issues, such as violence, by advocating for STEM education. STEM education promotes the development of analytical thinking and a logical approach to problem-solving, which are crucial traits for reducing conflict and nurturing a peaceful society. Moreover, STEM disciplines provide highly profitable job prospects, thereby mitigating unemployment and socioeconomic inequalities, which frequently serve as triggers for violence. 

The "TeleSchool" concept was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver educational information through television, specifically targeting kids in distant regions.

Pakistan has been prioritizing STEM education to provide students with the necessary skills and contribute to economic development. The STEM School Project and similar initiatives seek to cultivate critical thinking and innovation in kids, helping to decrease violence by offering improved economic prospects.
World Bank Human Capital Index
It measures the knowledge, skills, and health that individuals accumulate during their lifetimes, which enables them to realize their full potential and contribute to the economic growth of a country. The World Bank's Human Capital Index (HCI) quantifies a nation's potential for production by evaluating its health and education outcomes. Pakistan's low HCI score indicates its difficulties in education and health, underscoring the necessity for immediate reforms. Education has the potential to improve human capital, which in turn can stimulate economic growth, alleviate poverty, and foster social unity. Pakistan may enhance its HCI by allocating resources to education, which will contribute to developing a more wealthy and peaceful society, according to the World Bank.

The STEM School Project and similar initiatives seek to cultivate critical thinking and innovation in kids, helping to decrease violence by offering improved economic prospects.

Recent Instances of Collective Violence in Pakistan 
The recent occurrences of mob violence in Pakistan highlight the pressing necessity for educational reforms. The examples of the lynching of Mashal Khan, a university student accused of blasphemy, and the violent protests after the assassination attempt on Malala Yousafzai, a prominent advocate for girls' education, demonstrate how ignorance and misinformation contribute to violence. These examples exemplify how a deficiency in knowledge and critical thinking can result in the emergence of mob mentality and the occurrence of violence. Education is crucial in promoting tolerance, empathy, and critical thinking, which are necessary skills for preventing acts of violence and cruelty. 

Judicial activism can help tackle obstacles to educational access, such as child labor, early marriages, and gender discrimination.

The Need for Implementation of Government-regulated Policies 
The absence of government-regulated policies poses a major obstacle to educational reform in Pakistan. The lack of coherence and ineffective implementation of policies impede the advancement of the education system. Comprehensive policies are urgently required to ensure access to high-quality education, provide adequate teacher training, develop an effective curriculum, and improve infrastructure. Efficient policies should prioritize incorporating peace education and conflict resolution within the curriculum to cultivate a culture of non-violence and tolerance among students.
The Need for Comprehensive Education for All Individuals in Pakistan
Ensuring widespread availability of high-quality education continues to be a major obstacle in Pakistan. Many children face barriers to educational access due to socioeconomic inequities, gender inequality, and regional imbalances. Rural communities need more educational institutions, qualified educators, and instructional materials. Ensuring widespread access to high-quality education requires significant infrastructure investment, teacher training, and curriculum development. Furthermore, it is imperative to tackle gender imbalances and advocate for the education of girls in order to establish a society that is both inclusive and well-educated. 
The Role of Judiciary 
The judiciary plays a crucial role in advancing the constitutional obligation of ensuring the welfare and dignity of all citizens. The judiciary is crucial in maintaining the constitutional requirement of well-being and respect for all individuals. In Pakistan, the court can facilitate educational reforms by guaranteeing the enforcement of legislation about the right to education. Judicial activism can help tackle obstacles to educational access, such as child labor, early marriages, and gender discrimination. The judiciary can create a more educated and just society by implementing laws and campaigning for educational rights, hence minimizing the likelihood of violence. 

Japan and South Korea's focus on education, research, and development allowed them to shift from agricultural economies to being prominent global technological centers.

Knowledge Economy: Analysing the Examples of Japan and South Korea 
Pakistan can learn vital lessons from the emergence of Japan and South Korea as technological powerhouses. Both nations made significant educational investments, focusing on STEM disciplines, to stimulate economic expansion and foster innovation. Japan and South Korea's focus on education, research, and development allowed them to shift from agricultural economies to being prominent global technological centers. Pakistan may replicate these models by prioritizing education and establishing a favorable climate for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Establishing a knowledge economy can effectively decrease unemployment rates, economic inequalities, and, eventually, instances of violence. 

The judiciary, government, and civil society must work together to guarantee the widespread availability of high-quality education.

Why Not Pakistan? 
Pakistan has significant potential but faces multiple obstacles that hinder its advancement. Nevertheless, by implementing a focused endeavor to prioritize education, Pakistan has the potential to surmount these obstacles. Pakistan can develop an educated and informed public capable of tackling social issues, including violence, by announcing an emergency for education, putting comprehensive policies into place, investing in infrastructure, and fighting misinformation.

 It is imperative to declare an education crisis in Pakistan to promote awareness and cultivate a culture centered around non-violence and advancement.

Education is a potent instrument for mitigating human violence in Pakistan. Pakistan may foster a more educated and peaceful society by prioritizing educational reforms, policy regulation, digital media, and infrastructural development. The judiciary, government, and civil society must work together to guarantee the widespread availability of high-quality education. This collaboration should focus on fostering tolerance, empathy, and critical thinking skills. By emulating successful models like Japan and South Korea, Pakistan may effectively transition into a knowledge-based economy, while simultaneously reducing violence and promoting sustainable development. It is imperative to declare an education crisis in Pakistan to promote awareness and cultivate a culture centered around non-violence and advancement.

The writer holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Thought and Culture from the Department of Islamic Thought and Culture, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan. Additionally, the writer is a visiting faculty member at Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
E-mail: [email protected]

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