Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase: October 16, 2017
Dengue management and good governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) on October 16, 2017, focused on the spread of the Dengue virus in Peshawar and the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KP) government’s efforts to control it. Dr. Iftikhar ul Din, Technical Advisor, Dengue Response Unit KP, was the guest in the show. He stated that only 1% percent dengue positive cases require immediate attention due to high fever and headaches, whereas in 90% of the cases antibodies make patients resistant to the virus. Replying to a question on delayed response and poor governance, Dr. Iftikhar denied poor governance and shifted the blame to lack of public awareness. He said that outdoor spray is not enough because the virus is inside the homes and shops in the affected areas. He said that the health department had now started door-to-door sprays. A CRSS correspondent report was played during the show, deliberating on the current situation of Dengue patients in Peshawar hospitals. As many as six listeners participated in the show and asked the guest about preventive measures. 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...
Dialogue on Kashmir
Will the recipe to start an all-inclusive dialogue, while sticking to the policy of muscular and military solution, win the hearts of the Kashmiri freedom fighters? Already the solution forwarded by the BJP government to appoint an interlocutor to initiate talks in Jammu and Kashmir is seen with suspicion and termed just eyewash. So where does the solution lie if not in dialogue and guns? Probably the solution to the Kashmir issue lies in the intentions of the Indian government. Unless Delhi agrees that there is a problem in Kashmir, and lend sincere ears to the aspirations of the Kashmiris and then work towards giving voice to these aspirations through rightly guided steps, Kashmir will remain a sore in the Indian body of politics. Kashmiris are asking for Azadi (independence). There are many versions to independence. Some want an independent Kashmir. Some want annexation with Pakistan. While some want autonomy under Article-370 of the Indian Constitution that allows Kashmiris right to handle all matters except defence, currency, and foreign affairs. It is because of this ruling that Kashmir has a separate constitution and flag. Likewise, no provision of Indian Constitution can be applied in Kashmir without the concurrence of the local government. Though even this Article has never been implemented in entirety, it is another Article in the Indian Constitution that the BJP government seeks to repeal. The sinister design behind the elimination of Article 35A lies in changing the demographics of the Kashmir valley so that the question of the plebiscite, the question of independence, the question of autonomy and the question of becoming part of Pakistan, all are drowned to obscurity, in one push. Article 35A prohibits non-natives of Jammu and Kashmir from owning immovable property or political franchise there. Together, both Article 370 and 35A establishes a quasi-autonomous relationship of Kashmir with India. In its landmark judgment, the High Court in Kashmir had...
Sabawoon Showcase: October 12, 2017
Cultural Non-Acceptance of Mental Distress as a Disease The latest episode of Ranra (light) on 12th October, 2017, focused on the importance of World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th, and the reasons behind our society’s negative attitude towards mental disease. The program discussed how the wave of militancy severely affected the population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). This psychological anguish, along with the lack of resources, impacted their worldview leading to frustration and negativity. Their inability in differentiating between trauma and ill effects of constant pressure hindered them in actively seeking the services of mental health experts. The absence of professional help was another factor inhibiting mental treatment. Perhaps most significantly, the population regarded seeking mental health treatment as a taboo activity. Dr. Aziz Muhammad, Registrar Psychiatry Ward of Khyber Teaching Hospital was a guest in the show. He stated that a lot of children develop psychological issues due to the negligence of parents and their inability in detecting signs of stress. He suggested that this is one area that should be addressed as early as possible. A CRSS correspondent report was played during the show showcasing public perception regarding mental health problems. One caller asked the guest about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 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...
New Inter-Play of Conflicting Geo-Political Interests Does Not Augur Well for Afghanistan, Says Mosharraf Zaidi
Listen to What Mosharraf Zaidi, Pakistan's leading political analyst, says on the latest geo-political trends in South-West Asia. CRSS asked him as to what the new US Afghan policy means for Pakistan and whether it will help Afghanistan extricate itself from the current cycle of violence. Zaidi believes the inter-play of conflicting geo-political interests of the coalition comprising USA, India and Afghanistan on the one hand and Pakistan on the other (also supported by China and Russia) does not augur well for Afghanistan. https://vimeo.com/240445942
CRSS Holds Training Workshop On Motivation And Future Leaders For Pak-Afghan Youth
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted a training workshop on “Motivation and Future Leaders” for young participants from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday, October 25. The workshop was designed as part of CRSS efforts under its Afghan Studies Center (ASC) initiative to bring together young minds from both countries on one platform to interact and exchange ideas from their personal experiences as a way to mitigate the unnecessarily growing mistrust between the two peoples. Mustafa Malik, a development professional with years of experience as a master trainer, was the chief guest and the trainer in the workshop. Participants included young Afghans and Pakistanis studying in various universities in Islamabad, including Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) and International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), as well as other vibrant activists. The workshop encompassed a series of interactive exercises probing the participants from both sides to critically evaluate their short and long-term goals and the motivation behind them. Several stories of famous and successful icons were shared with the participants as a way to motivate them to achieve their goals. Further, each participant was asked to share a personal story and how it had shaped his life and his cognitive approach. Several female participants were of the view that being a female in the Pakistani and Afghan society puts them at a disadvantage as compared to men in achieving their goals and pursuing their dreams. Many participants narrated some of the most personal stories and how refueling one’s motivation to achieve one’s goals is a critical need for the young generation in both countries. They thanked CRSS for providing the opportunity to the youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan to sit together in a joint forum and engage in critical thinking exercises to develop their leadership skills and motivation for making a better future. Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director Beyond Boundaries at...
China, Pakistan and Gwadar Port
"The deep-water Gwader port lies at the convergence of the three of the most commercially important regions of the world i.e. the oil rich Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia. Beijing is developing Gwader as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor known as CPEC. The two countries launched the fifteen years project in 2015 to jointly build highways, railways, power plants, communications and industrial zones in Pakistan. With the Chinese investment initially estimated at 46 billion dollars. The aim is to link Gwader with landlocked Western China... This Report originally appeared on the Voice of America October 24, 2017. Original link.
Sabawoon Showcase: October 11, 2017
Speed Literacy Program for the Uneducated The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) on October 11, 2017, focused on the importance of a speed literacy program for uneducated individuals. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Government with the help of Vision 21 Organization has launched this program for all age brackets. Its aim is to ensure education via evening schools, especially for children involved in labor. Moreover, the program highlighted the KP government’s education reforms. Mr. Muhammad Saqib Shinwari, Coordinator KP Vision 21, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. He stated that it is the aim of his organization to cater to the educational needs of the underprivileged children with the support of the KP government. The organization would be grateful to get the response of the public as feedback for future initiatives. For contact information; 051 - 5501288/ 2505030, www.speedliteracy.org A CRSS correspondent report was played during the show promoting the inauguration of an adult literacy program in Mardan Central Jail. This literacy drive will be further extended to all district jails. As many as three listeners took part in the program sharing their views on the education system of KP. 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...
The rule of law(yers)
What happens when defenders and custodians of law themselves trample all over the law? The lawyers’ chambers around the District Courts in Islamabad are illegal. But to compound the illegality, prominent lawyers are raising a new structure upon the single-storey chambers. What would you call this travesty of law? Double whammy or compound illegality? In the eyes of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) these chambers on public space are totally illegal. When his attention was drawn to this brazen encroachment by the black coats, a top CDA official said, “We cannot touch lawyers and clerics.” Who will stop them from such blatant violations if not a state institution? The same lawyers also want the government land for their housing society. Isn’t it blackmailing by those who are supposed to prevent and thwart blackmailing? The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the embodiment of best practitioners of law, for instance, is pressurising the CDA to acquire land for them under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. And to justify what is an extremely bloated sense of entitlement, the SCBA recently responded to a news story in a national daily by saying: “It is not the first case regarding the city of Islamabad. More than 20 to 30 housing societies were established and lands were acquired for them through the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.” Several senior judges, the report said, are also members of the SCBA housing society and their names are being used to force the local administration to acquire land for them. The issue at hand is; why should the state lands be doled out on concessional rates to extremely high-income group professionals like lawyers, top bureaucrats, military officers and their cronies? All professionals, including lawyers, are making hefty living for themselves and are not into any public service. Why should they expect the state to provide them a place for their chambers, or in this case, occupy public property? Why are lead lawyers silent over the abuse...
Architecture of Privileges
The Sharifs and Zardari knowingly distort and misstate facts and then play the victim card because they consider abusing the national kitty and power as their prerogative. Tom Price, the US health and human services secretary, resigned (September 2017) under pressure after racking up at least $400,000 in travel bills for chartered flights, something that flew in the face of President Trump’s promise to ‘drain the swamp of a corrupt and entitled capital.’ Mr Price neither offered any regrets nor even a partial reimbursement. He quietly opted out of the office. No regret. No remorse. No payment back to the national kitty. Does this offer an analogy to the Pakistani ruling royals? The Sharifs and Zardaris — both friends with the only known property tycoon of this country — keep calling each other corrupt but take offense when reminded of these acts. Pretense of innocence is writ large on their faces. But this masks considerable arrogance and indifference to the plight of common citizens. Knowingly they distort and misstate facts and play the victim card because they consider abusing the national kitty and power as their prerogative. Tom Price’s departure also reminds of the princely way our ruling elites live off the poor public’s expense. They treat the office and the attendant privileges as preordained for them as the chosen ones. Let us recall a few instances to underscore how much these elites care for the public money. Former president (late) Farooq Leghari once (in mid 1990s) landed at Devos for the World Economic Forum (WEF) — a congregation that discusses global best practices of governance, equitable, inclusive and transparent development. It was Ramzan and the presidential entourage needed the kitchen of the hotel they were staying in for the pre-dawn food (sehri) to prepare for the day, recalls a diplomat who was part of the party then. Pakistani officials were told that the kitchen opens only at 6. No, we will need fresh food for the president, officials...
Sabawoon Showcase: October 10, 2017
Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) on October 10, 2017, focused on the issues faced by the people of KP and FATA with special emphasis on the strike being observed by the teachers in the region. This has adversely impacted the studies of the students, and will inevitably affect the upcoming examination schedules. Mr. Jamshed Khan, Chairman of Professor and Lecturer Association KP, was the studio guest in the show. He is of the opinion that the top priority of the government should be to ensure quality education. He further stated that the KP government is planning to privatize the educational institutions. He added that he is endeavoring to find a solution to the problem, but has been stonewalled thus far. The program also highlighted the health concerns faced by the students due to the unhygienic food items selling in the schools without any check and balance. District Government Charsadda has imposed a ban on such food items but it has not been implemented. Acting Nazim District Charsadda, Mr. Haji Haleem while speaking as a telephonic guest in the show, assured the public that the orders will be implemented soon. As many as eight 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 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...
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TESTIMONIALS
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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.