A two-day capacity building workshop on “Strategic Communication and Media Engagement in Crisis Situation” for the senior officers of the Sindh Police and Rangers, started at the Central Police Office (CPO), Karachi here today. It’s the eleventh training workshop for the law enforcement officials, organized by ‘Pakistan Peace Collective’ (PPC), a research & communication project of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. The objective of the training workshop aimed at improving the communication skills of Senior Officers of the Law Enforcement Agencies so that they can confidently interact with media during any crisis situation.
The inaugural session of training workshop was graced by Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam Inspector General of Police (IGP), Government of the Sindh. While addressing the participants he stated that the Government and the people of Pakistan remains committed to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism at all costs. Our defense forces and the law enforcement agencies of Pakistan he said have played an important role in defeating the elements responsible for violent extremism and the day is not far when peace will prevail throughout our country. The task ahead, he added is equally challenging and it is to change the mindset of those who desired to bring about a change through violence and bloodshed.
Mian Shabbir Anwar, Chief Executive Officer PPC, elaborated upon the significance of the training workshop, This training program he mentioned is the result of growing realization both at the federal and provincial levels that Government officers including those serving in the law enforcement agencies have to be equipped with communication skills in order to resolutely confront the challenge of violent extremism on the communication front. While confronting the menace of violent extremism, he said, it needs to be understood that it is not only a battle of bullets but of ideas and narrative. It needs to be understood he said, that the perpetuators of violence have been attempting to tear our social fabric, take away our sense of security and isolate us from the international community.
On the day one of the training, the participants were trained with Psychological Impact of Crisis Communication on the Society & Role of LEAs in CVE, Conceptual understanding of narratives in terrorism and violent extremism, role of traditional media in crises situations.
The speakers/trainers of the workshop included Dr. Mowadat H. Rana, Lt Cdr (r) Ihsan Ghani, Ms. Quatrina Hosain, Barrister Mahreen Khan and Mr. Usman Zafar who covered various aspects of related issues.
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