Current Projects
The Afghan Translator Who Became A 9/11 Millionaire
Afghanistan claims to be "open for business", and some super-rich Afghans have begun investing in their own country. But how soon can their money start replacing the billions of dollars in overseas aid the country has had so far? The "9/11 millionaire" is how Afghan entrepreneur and businessman Fahim Hashimy is often described. He made his fortune, which he modestly calls "small-sized", from contracts supplying Americans in the wartime years. Before the international involvement in Afghanistan, Mr Hashimy - born and raised in Kabul - was a young English-language teacher and owned a bicycle. With the arrival of American boots on Afghan soil he was one of the first to be recruited, in his early 20s, as an interpreter on a US military base. At 35, he now heads an empire, the Hashimy Group, with an average turnover of more than $200m (£134m) a year, which includes Afghanistan's second-biggest TV station, 1TV, as well as logistics and construction companies. He also launched East Horizon, a low-cost domestic airline, in 2013. He puts his rapid career success down to luck. "Not everyone spoke English and I was lucky I did. I also had the ambition and the vision, followed by hard work and commitment, and I knew how to write proposals," he told me. Once he was firmly established with the military, and accustomed to "the American and British" way of doing things, he used his strong business nose to secure supply contracts from the international forces, starting with a small $600 order for bed sheets. That was in 2005. Now he is proud to have a contract with the Afghan National Army, supplying boots and fuel for soldiers. I caught up with him at his office in the heavily guarded Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, which he uses for his not-for-profit work as president of the Afghan National Olympic Committee, and for his other passion - a daily body-building workout in his private gym. "Afghanistan is a land of opportunity," he says. "We're investing in the country very,...
Sabawoon Showcase Jwandai Jazbey January 3rd, 2018
Role of Youth in Politics for Strengthening Democracy The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) focused on the role of youth in strengthening democracy in Pakistan. The guest speakers, Shahab Uddin, Member of Provincial Youth Assembly and Saima Umer, Vice President of Provincial Youth Assembly, emphasized that this is the time when the state must initiate concrete steps for an effective representation of youth in the political and democratic process. Shahab Uddin said that 60% of Pakistan’s population is youth, but their presence is minimal in the political system. Saima Umer was of the opinion that the presence of females in politics will have a positive impact. Shahab Uddin emphasized that the youth must understand that democracy is a system based on tolerance, respect and acceptance of different opinions. The youth must participate in the 2018 elections as it would pave the way for a stronger democracy. Two calls were received during the show. A report was also shared about the current political representation of youth and its importance for the future of democracy. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra ....
Geography Beats Tweets on This Turf
The Indo-Trumpian nexus will only exacerbate Afghan crises. Whoever is whispering anti-Pakistan axioms into the ears of President Donald Trump is certainly not serving the right cause. They should remember that unlike the anti-Iran and anti-Syria non-state actors that the US publicly finances and arms, Pakistan is not a non-state actor. Neither is it a push-away like Myanmar. It deserves the kind of respect from the US and its allies that countries such as China, Russia, Turkey and Iran accord to it as a full member of the United Nations. And whoever in Afghanistan is cheerleading this tweet (“United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools”) should understand that the Indo-Trumpian nexus will only exacerbate their country’s multiple crises. By cheering to the Indo-US song on Pakistan, these Afghan leaders forget one fundamental bitter reality; India and the US are only investing in the continued instability of their country. Based on its short-term investments to outdo Pakistan and carve out strategic space for itself, India has, of course, successfully made strategic inroads into the Afghan establishment and ruling elite. But by pushing relentless anti-Pakistan narratives, both India and the US are investing in a perpetual state of crisis in Afghanistan. How? US Afghan expert, Professor Barnett Rubin explained in July 2017 in the War on the Rocks journal: “Military and economic access to landlocked Afghanistan depend on transit through Pakistan, Iran, or Russia — all of which some in the Trump administration and Congress seem bent on confronting simultaneously. The only alternative, a path that snakes from northwest Afghanistan to Turkey through Central Asia and the Caucasus via the Caspian Sea, lacks capacity and is vulnerable to both Russian and Iranian pressure. Afghanistan’s forbidding location poses obstacles to...
What Should Pakistan Do?
On the face of it, President Donald Trump, by upping the ante on Iran and Pakistan, has exposed the underlying intent: stoke fears and add fuel to already raging conflicts in the region through India. His tweets on Pakistan, the wave of protests in Iran and the ‘bigger nuclear-button’ response to the North Korean leader Kim Jung provide clear pointers to the possibility of more sponsored unrest for geo-political objectives. This maverick thinking is likely to spell trouble not only for the region but for the US itself. Most of European allies within NATO will tread the Trump path with extreme caution – if not refusing altogether because of their domestic dynamics. Nor do the European ethos and its political landscape allow unchecked, unilateral decisions by a single person, particularly on issues that enjoy global consensus such as the capital of Israel. The Trumpian policy leaves no doubt whatsoever that his administration: a) remains focused on China’s expansion in Asia through One Belt One Road, b) wants to undermine the regional support infrastructure for China and that includes Pakistan which is at the heart of OBOR through CPEC and it is easier to bully and prick Pakistan than to take China head on, c) is at virtual war with Pakistan, Iran, and Russia – all of whom are the immediate periphery of Afghanistan, d) holds Pakistan responsible for all the ills of Afghanistan. Now that Trump has ratcheted up pressure on Pakistan, accusing it of ‘receiving billions of dollars through deception’, what should Pakistan do. Pakistan’s response so far has been extremely measured and non-emotional. That is how it should be. A direct confrontation with the US is neither desirable nor feasible. Under guidance from Beijing and Moscow, Pakistan can fend off pressures arising out of a hostile Trump. In the first place, Pakistan should firmly but politely decline all outstanding and future coalition support funds (CSF) because it is these funds that successive US...
Sabawoon Showcase Jarga Maraka January 1st, 2018
NAP: A Review of 2017 The latest episode of Jarga Marka (Debate and Council) reviewed the National Action Plan (NAP) with Sahibzada Sayed Sajjad, SP Security Peshawar and Dr. Hussain Shaheed Sohrwardi, HOD International Relations Department University of Peshawar. Dr. Sohrwardi was of the opinion that though NAP defined specific tasks for military and political leadership, a weak implementation was observed by the state in comparison to military leadership. He further added that NAP aimed at strict measures against hate speech and literature since strict measures were not implemented until recent past. Sahibzada Sajjad said that 2017 witnessed a reduction of up to 51% in terrorism due to effective security measures. He appreciated the role of the counter terrorism department that it supported the police force in curbing terrorist activities. He emphasized that the society needs to recognize and understand its role and extend support to law enforcement agencies to help create a long-term peaceful solution. A report was aired about the comparison of statistics of the incidents in year 2016 and 2017. Three live calls were received. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women. Socio-cultural affairs...
The Role of Madrasas
The book at hand is the result of a more than two-year-long joint enterprise across borders, regions, and continents, aimed at identifying the development and status of the religious seminaries, also known as madrasas, in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the West, these madrasas are often perceived as a massive production pipeline for international terrorism. This book attempts to look beyond – or beneath – this perception by examining the role of madrasas through three main research questions, each provided as a main question to each one of the three independent think tanks and research centers. The overall objective of this framework is to take a first step toward creating a correct image of the madrasas and the trajectory their role in society has taken. The three research questions directing the study are: 1) What motivates parents to send their children to madrasas instead of public schools in Pakistan? 2) How are the madrasas in Pakistan funded, and which influence do donors have over them? and 3) Which trends can be identified in different groups’ influences on religious education in Afghanistan? These questions have served as the foundation for the extensive data-collection conducted in the respective countries. The result of the study in terms of this book reflects the collaboration between the Royal Danish Defence College, the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), both from Pakistan, and the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies (CAPS) from Afghanistan. In this summary, the findings from the field research provide a brief overview of the analytical results as seen through the editorial lens in Copenhagen. One key discovery was that, besides the anticipated general devotion to religion, households’ economic concerns appeared to be a main motivation for Pakistani parents in sending their children to madrasas instead of public schools. Findings also show an almost remarkable...
Sabawoon Showcase Ranra December 28th, 2017
Dispute Resolution Councils (DRC), an Alternate Source for Conflict Resolution The latest show of Sabawoon Ranra (Light) discussed the theme of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism in Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP) with the introduction of DRC as an alternate source for conflict resolution. The guest speakers, Sabir Khan, a lawyer and Salim Khan, a member of DRC, were of the opinion that delays in civil and criminal cases, and convoluted procedures in existing judicial system, are against the general public interest. They have become chronic in Pakistan and it not only causes frustration among general public but also hampers socio-economic development. Sabir Khan, while appreciating the initiative of DRCs, added that they are a form ADR mechanism which refers to the resolution of conflicts outside the court room. Currently 41 DRCs are functional in 24 districts of KP, with 14,000 cases resolved since 2015. Salim Khan, added that DRCs are a low cost system of conflict resolution handling petty issues, therefore gradually reducing the burden on courts. However, he suggested that a systematic and rigorous awareness campaign about this system can be beneficial for the general public. A report was also aired to share the point of view of different beneficiaries who really appreciated the initiative and termed it as a successful step for easy access to justice. Two callers expressed their positive views regarding DRCs. AboutSabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues...
BEYOND BOUNDARIES’ CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF AFGHAN REFUGEES STAY IN PAKISTAN
Beyond Boundaries, a Pak-Afghan track 1.5/II initiative, led by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad, calls upon the Government of Pakistan to expedite decision on Afghan refugees’ stay in Pakistan. This is in pursuance of Pakistan Government’s policy decision on February 07, 2017, relating to the management of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Additional steps approved by the Cabinet included extension in validity of the Proof of Registration Cards of 1.3 million Afghan refugees, documentation of Afghan nationals without any identification, adoption of a national refugee law, and a visa regime for different categories of Afghan nationals. Beyond Boundaries urges the Government of Pakistan to allow Afghan refugees’ stay in Pakistan up to 31 December, 2018, to end the nebulous nature of their fate. Any delay in extension only exposes the refugees to avoidable excesses and harassment by relevant departments / agencies. CRSS and Beyond Boundaries also appeal to the government for swift implementation of the new visa regime. Together these steps will generate much-needed goodwill, help overcome angst and clear uncertainty regarding the fate of refugees, in addition to improving precarious Pak-Afghan bilateral relations.
Sabawoon Showcase Jwandai Jazbey December 27th, 2017
Challenges and Cultural Barriers Faced by Sportswomen The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) focused on participation of females in sports and the cultural and religious challenges faced by them. The guest of the show was Shehnaz Kamal, an international female boxing coach from Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP). Kamal was of the opinion that the major socio-cultural barrier for sportswomen in our society is the idea that sports are meant for men, which is widely promoted through traditions, beliefs and social practices. She said that conservative mindset, prevailing cultural norms and personal insecurities were the major challenges she faced while choosing boxing as a profession. She emphasized that females have to stop underestimating themselves while availing the opportunities and resist gender discrimination. She said that it is time that parents, family and society should redefine trust and stereotypical mindset to ensure maximum participation of females in all types of sports. A report shared the success stories of Maria Torpakai in squash and her contributions in the field of sports. There were eight live calls during the show. AboutSabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women....
Sabawoon Showcase Da Semay Jaaj December 26th, 2017
Regional Review of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) The latest episode of the Da Semay Jaaj (Regional Review) discussed multiple irregularities in the health department faced by the people of KP and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The callers in the show spoke about load shedding, schools for girls, and the long-awaited repair and maintenance of roads. The first report was from Kohat by Tahir Rasheed sharing the data of a World Health Organization (WHO) report on mother and child, mentioning the very high rate of 432,000 deaths annually in Pakistan. The report further stated that more than 20,000 mothers died during child birth annually. While discussing another report in the show, Dr. Muntazir Khan, Deputy Commissioner Charsadda, said that they are struggling hard to overcome the irregularities and corruption issues in the district. He said that they conduct surprise visits to different health and educational institutions to know the problems faced by the public of the area. He further added that last week during his surprise visit, he found some corrupt practices in a basic health unit. The third report from D.I Khan mentioned the sugarcane farmers’ issues with the mill. There were demands from the farmers against the mill owners regarding the price of the sugarcane. They were of the opinion that this is a bad governance issue on part of the KP government. 14 calls were received during the show and mentioned their local problems. Three text messages were also received. AboutSabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communication program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion. The show is aired Monday to Thursday every week under the aforementioned four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM....
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.