Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase Da Semay Jaaj November 28th, 2017
Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Semay Jaaj (Regional Review) focused on the issues faced by the people of KP and FATA with special emphasis on governance and health issues in different districts and agencies. A report from District Charsadda mentioned the lack of basic health facilities in a Shabqadar hospital. The huge building of this hospital is marked as a category C hospital (110 beds hospital). Unfortunately due to electrical load shedding and unavailability of some specialists, there are no admitted patients. Deputy Commissioner Charsadda, Mr. Muntazir Khan, speaking in the show told that he personally visited this hospital. He agreed with the report and said that work is being done on it. Another report was about the absence of any health facilities like hospital, basic health unit or dispensary in Union Council Jarma of District Kohat. The native village of the District Nazim is also deprived of these basic health facilities leading to difficulties for the people. A third report highlights the objectives of a project of the KP government, Billion Tsunami Tree. Spokesman of the KP government and Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), Mr. Shaukat Yousafzay, speaking in the show stated that this is a multipurpose project. It will increase the forest area from 21% to 25% which is an international standard. This will make the atmosphere clean and the weather is expected to become normal. This project is providing employment opportunities as well. This project will play a vital role in the future of the province. As many as 09 listeners took part in the program. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal...
Gen Nicholson Chasing Mirage in Afghanistan?
Gen John Nicholson, the top US general in Afghanistan, has once more reiterated his country’s displeasure over Pakistan’s alleged support for the Afghan Taliban and said there have been no signs of any change in Islamabad’s policy towards the militants across the border. “We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis… we have not seen those changes implemented yet,” he told reporters. “We are hoping to see those changes, we are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing” the border, Nicholson said in Kabul. He responded affirmatively when asked if Taliban leaders still reside in Pakistan or that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) maintains contacts with the Haqqani network. Nothing new or surprising elements in the press talk, but Gen Nicholson’s statement in a geo-politically loaded environment not only ignores some fundamentals but also comes across as ironic, reflective of impatience with a country that has only suffered as a consequence of US partnership in two Afghan wars. Nicholson routinely issues such statements to the disregard of a fundamentals reality that peace in Afghanistan neither depended on the Afghan Taliban leaders allegedly sheltering in Pakistan nor is peace in the hands of Pakistan alone. Old relationships with mujahideen, Hamid Karzai, Professor Rabbani (late) Prof Sayyaf, Mulla Omar, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and several Taliban/Haqqani leaders notwithstanding, its leverage with most Afghan stakeholders has shrunken considerably in past decade or so. Secondly, the US position lack strategy on the convergence among both Russia and Iran as well as former president Hamid Karzai, who all concur that Daesh as an external proxy presents a bigger threat to the integrity and stability of Afghanistan and the region than do the Taliban. And mind you – Daesh factions are ensconced in the mountainous eastern Afghanistan and are only one of the 20 major insurgent/terrorist groups that,...
Sabawoon Showcase Jarga Maraka November 27th, 2017
Burn Treatment Centers and Related Facilities to Save Lives The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) focused on the treatment of burn victims in burn centers all around Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). According to the Doctors Association, 8,000 burn patients are brought to Peshawar due to terrorist attacks. The patients are usually referred to other provinces in the absence of a burn center, however, it is expected that the first burn center in Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) will be functional in March 2018. The guest of the show, Dr. Tamheed Ullah, Associate Professor Surgery Unit HMC, discussed the causes, challenges, precautions and availability of facilities. Dr. Tamheed Ullah was of the opinion that the establishment of burn centers is a challenge as it costs a lot and there are no health economists who could allocate the budget for this particular area. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) took the initiative to make the burn unit functional though it has existed for a while. He shared that the capacity of the center will initially be 120 patients, including children and women along with the treatment at different stages, rehabilitation and psychological support, nutritional services, teaching facilities etc. Dr. Tamheed Ullah said that the center is to be used as a multipurpose training and teaching institution. He claimed that at least 70 percent case of burns are among women. He suggested precautions as well to minimize the burn cases. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, 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...
CRSS’ 6th Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue Calls For Focusing On Common Grounds To Counter The Growing Enemy Of Extremism
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted its sixth Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue under its Afghan Studies Center initiative on Friday, November 24, 2017, as part of its ongoing series of monthly dialogues aimed at enhancing people to people contact between the youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The theme of the dialogue focused on ‘Addressing the Issue of Extremism in Pakistan and Afghanistan’ which was attended by 26 participants, comprising young Afghan and Pakistani students and activists belonging to Kabul, Islamabad, Ghazni, FATA, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gujranwala, in addition to other areas. Ms. Ammara Durrani, an independent polymath professional and management consultant with 14 years of leadership experience working with international, regional and national organizations on a range of strategic programmatic initiatives in areas of conflict, peacebuilding & counter-violent extremism, was the chief guest, while Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director at CRSS, moderated the dialogue. Ms. Durrani, in her presentation, extended a warm welcome to all the young Afghan and Pakistani participants present, stating she felt excited to be in the same room with Afghan and Pakistani youngsters sitting side by side and showing their goodwill gesture for a positive future. She expressed her grief over the deterioration of the once strong connection of affiliation the two nations held, hoping optimistically for the improvement of their bilateral relations soon in the coming times. Speaking on the theme, Ms. Durrani, categorized the different shades of extremism existing in the present world, delineating that some is religiously motivated, some politically while some even economically, in addition to other contributing factors. She said it was important firstly that the Pakistani and Afghan youth make clear these distinctions between the different types and factors behind each type of extremism to be able to grasp the root cause of growing extremism in the...
Sabawoon Showcase Ranra November 23rd, 2017
Violation of Women’s Rights The latest episode of Ranra (Light) focused on women rights and violation of their rights in Pakistan. Ms. Sana Ijaz and Ms. Nazra Syed, female rights activists Peshawar, were the guests of the show. Ms. Ijaz stated that the according to a recent survey by the Aurat Foundation, from January to July 2017, around 188 women were killed, while 44 women committed suicide for various reasons. She further added that there are a number of females in central jail, Peshawar who have been used for smuggling by their brothers or husbands. She added that our society is not ready to give women their rights. Unfortunately, majority of the people are continually violating women rights for their personal benefits and the domestic violence bill is still pending since eight years. Ms. Syed added that as a human, the rights of both men and women are equal and there should be no discrimination. Tremendous development would have been gained, if women were given equal status in Pakistan. A CRSS correspondent report was also played during the show about the views of public on women rights. As many as four callers took part in the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, 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 Jwandai Jazbey November 22nd, 2017
National Youth Carnival for Discovering Hidden Talent of Youngsters The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) focused on the National Youth Carnival, which is a project of the provincial government to discover hidden talents of youngsters. Mr. Syed Furqan Ali Shah, Project Manager National Youth Carnival and Mr. Saqib Iqbal Divisional Trial Manger National Youth Carnival, Peshawar, were studio guests of the show. Mr. Shah stated that the main aim of the carnival is to show the world that Pakistan is a peaceful country full of talented youngsters. The main theme of it for 2017 is to support the anti-corruption and anti-drugs notion. Youngsters, including Madrassa students, are participating in drama, comedy, thematic art, dancing, singing, painting, Qirat, calligraphy, speeches, debates, essay writing, spot photography, extra ordinary talent, chess etc. Mr. Iqbal added that female students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University in Upper Dir are also participating in the carnival along with 13,000 other participants. He added that the requirement of the project was to have at least 50 percent female participants, but fortunately the have 60 percent representation. A CRSS correspondent report was played during the show, about the views of the participants regarding the carnival. Three listener took part in the program and appreciated government initiatives. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications programme, 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...
Sabawoon Showcase Jarga Maraka November 20th, 2017
Health Card Project for Peace and Prosperity The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) focused on the health project of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s aimed at providing citizens wih healthcards. The target of this project is to eliminate extremism and harsh behavior due to lack of access to health facilities. Dr. Sheraz Ahmad, coordinator of the Sehat Insaf Card, KP, was the studio guest of the show. Dr. Ahmed stated that in the first two phases of the project we successfully reached and provided health cards to 1.4 million families. Now, in the third phase of the project, we will issue another 1 million cards to underprivileged families of the province. He added that the KP government will spend Rs. 3.5 billion per annum on the project. He added that this facility can certainly play a vital role in behavioral changes and mitigate extremism. Our listeners took keen interest in the topic and 22 listeners took part in the program through live calls. Some of callers appreciated the project but some of them complained against the listed hospitals’ staff. 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 on Thursday. ...
Kashmir: The Way Forward Workshop by CRSS
A delegation of journalists, experts and social activists visited the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on Tuesday - November 21, 2017 to attend a seminar on Kashmir and Pakistan’s options moving forward. Dr. Nazir Gilani, President of London-based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) who specializes in the jurisprudence of UN resolutions and Kashmir case, and Justice (R) Syed Hussain Manzoor Gilani, Chairman Association for the Rights of People of J&K, member Council of Islamic Ideology of Pakistan (CII) were the chief speakers at the event. Other participants included former IG Police Dr. Shoaib Suddle, former Ambassador Qazi Humayun, senior journalists Mr. Syed Faisal Shakeel, Mr. Tarique Siyal, Mr. Amaad Khalique, renowned human rights activist Ms. Tahira Abdullah, Zahoor Ahmed Mir and Sabzar Bashir - Advocate at High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar. Dr. Muhammad Faisal, spokesperson for the Foreign Office, was also in attendance. CRSS was represented by Executive Director Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Beyond Boundaries Track 1.5/II Project Director Mr. Aized Ali and Director Communications and Strategy Mr. Zeeshan Salahuddin. Mr. Imtiaz Gul welcomed all the participants and let the floor open for discussion after brief introductory remarks about the workshop and chief guests. Mr. Zeeshan Salahuddin moderated the session. It was discussed that Pakistan ought to project Azad Kashmir to the international community as a model for Jammu and Kashmir, probably with the extension of more autonomy to the state of Azad Kashmir. Pakistan has failed to play it cards effectively due to its own internal political instability and stagnant economic performance in the recent years. Islamabad also failed to take up the brutal civilian killings and especially political isolation of youth on the international front effectively. Regrettably, the UN is obligated to resolve the Kashmir issue in the conformity of its own resolutions, creating a sense of...
Combating the enemy in Balochistan
Terrorism has claimed the lives of at least 42 police officials in Balochistan this year, including SP Mohammad Ilyas and DIG Shakeel last week. In addition, dozens of non-Baloch Pakistanis have also been murdered in cold blood, including the 15 bullet ridden bodies recovered from Kech District. These incidents indicate a clear pattern: demoralisation of the security forces in Balochistan. All this points to the proxy war India has imposed on Pakistan, confirmed by the captured Indian spy Kulbushan Jadhav. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) — a veritable thorn in India’s side — has further incentivised these forces in their destabilisation campaign. The terror impetus is partly driven by the need to disrupt economic activities and scare the Chinese away from Pakistan. The enemy does not realise that China comprehensively understands CPEC and Gwadar Port development hazards. Thus, Chinese involvement remains intact and the development projects are moving ahead. Additionally, certain internal issues in Pakistan are also creating problems for sustainable peace in Balochistan. Efforts by former Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch to woo Barhbiar Marri or Brahamdagh Bugti into negotiations have been obstructed by the personal preferences of ministers and military officials. The provincial government seems to be unwilling to hold talks. This sentiment is exacerbated by ad campaigns in Europe for a ‘free Balochistan’, designed to paint Pakistan in a negative light. Gazain, son of Marri tribe’s former chief Khair Bakhsh Marri, returned to Quetta in September, but has since been in detention. Gazain faces multiple cases, including alleged involvement in the murder of a high court judge. He had told the media in Dubai, prior to his arrival, that he would face all the cases in Pakistan and join mainstream politics. Analysts in Quetta believe that provincial ministers have been dragging their feet on this issue, instead of prioritising reconciliation and the betterment of the...
Sabawoon Showcase Da Semay Jaaj November 17th, 2017
Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Semay Jaaj (Regional Review) focused on the issues faced by the people of KP and FATA with special emphasis on governance issues in different districts and agencies. A report from Kurram Agency, FATA, pointed out that there is no high school for girls in entire central Kuram which has a population of 200,000 people. The report stated that the lack of this basic facility is a human rights violation by the concerned authorities of the area. Mr. Ahmad Khan, Additional Agency Education Officer, talking in the show, stated that due to the absence of proper infrastructure, transportation of building materials to this area is next to impossible, making it difficult to establish a school in the area. Recently, the FATA Education Department and Political Administration have agreed to establish a girls high school as soon as possible. Another report from Mohmand Agency mentions a training work shop by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the primary school teachers to teach Urdu with new teaching techniques and a friendly atmosphere. The report mentions that more than 200 teachers received the training and they were pleased with the activity. Another report from Swat pointed out a health and water pollution issue of a Swat river. According to the report, Mingora city illegally dumps garbage daily around 1500 metric ton on the banks of a river in Swat. This garbage contains all kinds of harmful material which affects the fishes and other animals of the area. Tehsil Nazim Swat, Mr. Ikram Ullah, said that the government has successfully purchased a land, valued Rs. 60 million, for this purpose and very soon the dumping will start at that new purchased area. As many as eight listeners took part in the program and mentioned their issues of the area. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal...
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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.