Current Projects

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...

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...

Afpak in The Eye of Storm

The latest round of the so called Great Game which has started recently, like the previous ones played in 19th and 20th centuries, has brought new troubles for South Asia in general and for Afghan/Pashtuns in particular. The first round of the Great Game is supposed to have started between the British and Russian empires in 1830 when Britishers decided to connect Bukhara ( now part of Uzbekistan) with British India by road. The Tzarist Russia that regarded Central Asia to be its natural zone of influence wasn’t amused at this strategic British initiative. The ensuing conflict between the two great empires of that era resulted in division of Afghanistan. Afghanistan was turned into a buffer zone to prevent a physical clash between the two big powers. The first and second Anglo-Afghan wars ( 1842 and 1878) erupted when Britishers tried to physically occupy Afghanistan. In 1917 the Bolshevik Revolution turned Russian empire into Soviet Union leading to a severe tussle between the communist block and the capitalist west which was first led by UK and later by US. In 1980 at the peak of Cold War the two blocks fought a devastating war in Afghanistan when the Soviet armed forces entered Afghanistan to support the leftist government in Kabul. Afghan/Pashtuns had to face death and destruction on a very large scale during the war which continued for almost a decade. In 1990s after the collapse of the erstwhile Soviet Union and emergence of independent republics in Central Asia there was a hope for end of the Great Game. But as the recent developments have demonstrated that was not to be. The eastward expansion of NATO has resulted in the beginning of a new Cold War between Russia and the West in Europe. US has revived its policy of imposing sanctions against its rivals ( like Russia and Iran) that used to be part of its strategy against socialist states. The rise of China as a great power which is skillfully filling the vacuum created by economic decline of the West is yet...

Sabawoon Showcase: October 17, 2017

Regional Review of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) on October 17, 2017, discussed the strike being observed by the teachers of the region and how it has affected the studies of the students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Mr. Shaukat Yousafzai, Spokesman KP Government, took part as a guest in the show. He advised the protesting teachers to end the strike and follow the government policy, as elected lawmakers represent the will of the public. Furthermore, the program mentioned the health problems faced by the people of Union Council Sadal, District Kohat. Contaminated water has affected the well-being of people and they have threatened to boycott the elections if the situation does not change. Another point of concern raised in the show was the delay in the building of Swat University. It has created difficulties for the students and teachers. Mr. Saleem Ullah Khan, Member National Assembly, Swat, assured the public that they will speed up the process. As many as eight listeners took part in the program discussing the issues faced in their area and their potential solutions. 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...