Current Projects

Sabawoon Showcase: October 26, 2017

Importance of Voting in the Development of Democracy. The latest episode of Ranra (light), focused on the importance and significance of exercising your right to vote in the development of secular democracy. With election looming in 2018, this is a timely and relevant issue. Ms. Nazra Syed, a social activist, was a studio guest in the show. She stated that voting is both a right and a responsibility of the public to determine the future of the nation. She further added that it is the role of the state to develop awareness among the masses regarding the importance of voting through media campaigns, along with encouraging the females to vote as equal citizens of the country. A report was played during the show highlighting the lack of public awareness regarding importance of voting. Two listeners took part in the program encouraging and convincing the people to vote. 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. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday. The primary objective of the show has been to underline the criticality of constitutionalism, fundamental rights, public accountability and the rule of law for countering extremism illegalities of all forms. ...

Sabawoon Showcase: October 25, 2017

Developing Tolerance in Children via Sports The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the importance of sports and how they help in developing tolerance, sportsmen spirit and the ability to learn from failures. Mr. Wajid Ali, an educationist, was the studio guest. He stated that playing sports is the best way to inculcate sportsmen skills. They develop the ability to accept defeat in a graceful manner and success with humility. Various sports activities should be promoted to ensure that children learn positive lessons from it. He further added that it is a healthy way to keep the children busy rather than exposing them to corporal punishment, or other harsh behavior of teachers. Parents must also accept the importance of sports and encourage their children to play. Most importantly, it is a good alternative to radicalization and youth disenfranchisement. A report was played during the show promoting the ongoing sports activities and competitions being held among the 134 government schools of Swat. As many as five listeners took part in the program emphasizing the importance of sports. 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. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in...

Sabawoon Showcase: October 24, 2017

Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) on October 24, 2017 gave special prominence to a four-day training workshop organized by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Peshawar. The workshop was attended by nearly twenty senior producers and programmers of Radio Pakistan, stationed in different parts of KP. The training was centered on community programming and how these radio operators can leverage their platform for civic education and public good. Senior journalists Imtiaz Gul, Zeeshan Salahuddin, Ammad Khaliq, and Safiullah Gul were among the trainers. The program also covered a seminar held in Peshawar. The seminar was designed to bring together all major political parties of Pakistan to frame an economic charter, with the goal of economic policy continuity for Pakistan’s continued development. Two reports focusing on regional developments were also included in the show. As many as ten listeners took part in the program and discussed the problems faced at the local level, asking help of the authorities in resolving them. 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....

Does Chabahar Matter?

To utilise CPEC projects to the advantage of Pakistan in a geo-politically loaded environment, our leaders will need to pull up their socks. Is the dispatch of the first Indian wheat gift to Afghanistan via Chabahar only a massive public relations gimmick or is it part of the Indo-US strategy to render Pakistan irrelevant — both geo-politically and geo-economically? Despite the fast development of the Gwadar Port and the completion of the CPEC projects, will the Chabahar lead Pakistan to lose its geo-strategic advantage? Will Gwadar — the much bigger and touted natural deep sea port — still have enough traction to become the Pakistani Schenzen, the mega hub of electronics goods in southern China? These questions beg deep introspection — if not cause worry — in Islamabad for various reasons. Firstly, what had started as a ‘little insignificant project for India’ has eventually become a reality, primarily born out of the strategic positioning by New Delhi i.e. minimising Afghanistan’s dependence on the Karachi Port for transit and bilateral trade. In the current circumstances, Chabahar presents a more ‘strategic’ safer and certain trade route for Afghanistan’s external trade. Secondly, India is skillfully projecting its Chabahar venture as a critical element in its so-called Indo-specific expansion across the Indian- Pacific Ocean region, with Japan — an ideological adversary of China — and Australia more than keen to join forces in such regional connectivity projects in partnership with New Delhi. Two recent opinion pieces in influential newspapers like Brisbane Times and Australian Financial Review are instructive in this regard. They exhorted the Australian government to further its ties with India and consolidate Indo-Pacific partnership, which would also help in countering China. Julie Bishop — Australia’s foreign minister recently said that “Australia, the United States, Japan, India and other nations have committed to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains a...

Does Chabahar Matter?

To utilise CPEC projects to the advantage of Pakistan in a geo-politically loaded environment, our leaders will need to pull up their socks. Is the dispatch of the first Indian wheat gift to Afghanistan via Chabahar only a massive public relations gimmick or is it part of the Indo-US strategy to render Pakistan irrelevant — both geo-politically and geo-economically? Despite the fast development of the Gwadar Port and the completion of the CPEC projects, will the Chabahar lead Pakistan to lose its geo-strategic advantage? Will Gwadar — the much bigger and touted natural deep sea port — still have enough traction to become the Pakistani Schenzen, the mega hub of electronics goods in southern China? These questions beg deep introspection — if not cause worry — in Islamabad for various reasons. Firstly, what had started as a ‘little insignificant project for India’ has eventually become a reality, primarily born out of the strategic positioning by New Delhi i.e. minimising Afghanistan’s dependence on the Karachi Port for transit and bilateral trade. In the current circumstances, Chabahar presents a more ‘strategic’ safer and certain trade route for Afghanistan’s external trade. Secondly, India is skillfully projecting its Chabahar venture as a critical element in its so-called Indo-specific expansion across the Indian- Pacific Ocean region, with Japan — an ideological adversary of China — and Australia more than keen to join forces in such regional connectivity projects in partnership with New Delhi. Two recent opinion pieces in influential newspapers like Brisbane Times and Australian Financial Review are instructive in this regard. They exhorted the Australian government to further its ties with India and consolidate Indo-Pacific partnership, which would also help in countering China. Julie Bishop — Australia’s foreign minister recently said that “Australia, the United States, Japan, India and other nations have committed to ensuring that the Indo-Pacific remains a...

Sabawoon Showcase: October 19, 2017

Awareness about blood donation to encourage donations/volunteerism The latest episode of Ranra (light) on October 19, 2017, promoted the importance of donating blood and the misconceptions regarding its adverse effects on the donor. Dr. Noor Saba, manager of a regional blood center in Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. She stated that, “The importance of donating blood can never be over-emphasized as it leads to saving thousands of lives. Unfortunately, this practice is not being promoted and an awareness drive needs to be launched regarding its crucial need in saving precious lives.” Furthermore she talked about the spirit of volunteerism and how it can transform our society. A CRSS correspondent report was played during the show. The report underscored the misconceptions related to blood donation and how to encourage people to become donors. As many as six listeners took part in the program encouraging the people to become donors by giving their own examples of being active and healthy donors. 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. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday. And last but not the least, a road show named Taroon highlights the social...

Sabawoon Showcase: October 18, 2017

Developing awareness of traffic rules amongst schoolchildren The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) on October 18, 2017, discussed the traffic problems faced by the school going children. The role of parents, transporters and traffic wardens to ensure the safety of children was highlighted. Mr. Rasheed Khan, Traffic Warden, Peshawar, was the guest in the show. He stated that a warden’s function is to protect human life. Wardens advise parents to investigate the drivers responsible for the pick and drop of their children. He added that traffic rules should be taught in schools to facilitate the children in understanding its importance. A CRSS correspondent report was played during the show. The report narrated the accident of a school van in Buner in which three children lost their lives. As many as five listeners took part in the program emphasizing on the importance of traffic rules. 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. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on Thursday. And last but not the least, a road show named Taroon highlights the social issues such as civic education. The primary objective of the show has been to underline the criticality of...

HEC Advisor Waseem Hashmi Spoke To CRSS About Pakistan Government’s Scholarship Program For Afghan Students

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Advisor Waseem Hashmi Syed told CRSS that 750 scholarships will be awarded to Afghan students based on merit in 2017 and 2018 sessions each by the Government of Pakistan. He was invited to CRSS’ Afghan Studies Center’s 5th Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue as the Chief Guest. The theme of the dialogue focused on education as a connector for peace in Pak-Afghan relations. https://youtu.be/hCUg2Q7KBDE

HEC Advisor Waseem Hashmi Spoke To CRSS About Pakistan Government’s Scholarship Program For Afghan Students

Higher Education Commission (HEC) Advisor Waseem Hashmi Syed told CRSS that 750 scholarships will be awarded to Afghan students based on merit in 2017 and 2018 sessions each by the Government of Pakistan. He was invited to CRSS’ Afghan Studies Center’s 5th Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue as the Chief Guest. The theme of the dialogue focused on education as a connector for peace in Pak-Afghan relations. https://youtu.be/hCUg2Q7KBDE

Education Diplomacy Crucial For Better Sustainable Pak-Afghan Relations, Concludes CRSS-ASC 5th Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted its fifth Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue under its Afghan Studies Center initiative on Tuesday, October 31, 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 was “Education as a connector for peace in Pak-Afghan Relations”. The dialogue was attended by 31 participants – 13 Afghans and 18 Pakistanis, comprising students enrolled in higher education programs in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar as well as young activists and professionals. Executive Director Mr. Imtiaz Gul welcomed all and introduced CRSS as a civil society initiative, committed to the cause of independent research and non-partisan advocacy. Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director, moderated the session and introduced the participants to CRSS’ Track 1.5/II project Beyond Boundaries aimed at improving bilateral relations between the two neighbors by engaging with influential stakeholders in both groups as well as both the governments and enhancing and fostering people to people contact. He also apprised them of the CRSS initiative of Afghan Studies Center, which he explained had been a product of the Track 1.5/II meetings held over the last two years by CRSS and its Afghan counterparts. Mr. Wasim S. Hashmi Syed, the Advisor Human Resource Development (HRD), Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan was the chief guest. Mr. Hashmi is an engineer by profession and started his professional career at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore in 1986. Five years later he left for United States for higher studies and enrolled in MS leading to PhD program in Industrial Engineering at University of Louisville. In 2003, he moved back to Pakistan and joined the Higher Education Commission under the supervision of Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman, who was Chairman HEC at that time. Currently Mr. Hashmi is supervising around 47 projects of HEC and...