8 February 2025, Islamabad – Understanding the urgent need to strengthen support mechanisms, a key initiative is kicked off by bringing together all the key stakeholders that play a critical role in providing support to innocent victims of terror. With financial support from the European Union (EU), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Pakistan & National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), organized a three-day consultative workshop on identifying and planning for the psychosocial support needs of victims of terrorism. Held from 5-7 February 2025 in Islamabad, the workshop brought together key stakeholders, including policymakers, victim support officers, and representatives from health departments across Pakistan.
15 participants of which 2 were female, engaged in discussions aimed at identifying existing services and pinpointing the gaps in providing psychosocial, legal, and financial assistance to victims of terrorism. The event facilitated dialogue between national and provincial actors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing victims’ needs. Representatives from Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa presented insights on existing health services, trauma counseling, and financial aid programs, highlighting both best practices and areas requiring urgent improvement.
During the opening remarks, Mr Muhammad Ali Rajput, Program Officer at UNODC, highlighted the workshop’s role in shaping long-term policy recommendations to enhance the resilience of terrorism victims.
International expert Ms Jo Dover provided insights on global best practices for victim support, emphasizing the need for a trauma-informed approach that prioritizes victims' dignity and autonomy. Additionally, national experts Ms Rashda Niazi and Prof. Dr. (Ms) Sobia Aftab led group exercises aimed at mapping out sustainable solutions for victim care across Pakistan.
One of the key outcomes of the workshop was the devising strategies to improve psychosocial support and trauma counseling for victims of terrorism. Discussions emphasized the need for enhanced mental health services, increased access to professional counseling, and community-based support systems to aid in the rehabilitation of survivors.
A roadmap was outlined for training more psychosocial support providers, including mental health professionals and VSOs, ensuring they are well-equipped to address trauma-related challenges. Additionally, recommendations were made to integrate psychosocial support into existing victim assistance frameworks at both national and provincial levels.
The workshop marked a pivotal step in advancing Pakistan’s response to victims of terrorism, ensuring that survivors not only receive immediate relief but also have access to long-term psychosocial and trauma counseling support. Moving forward, UNODC and EU partners will continue their collaborative efforts to enhance psychosocial services and build capacity for victim-centered rehabilitation.
