Current Projects
Objections to CPEC: India, US Caught In Their Own Snare?
US Secretary of Defence James Mattis’ statement on the CPEC, both the US and India find themselves trapped in their own snare. Without any reference to the entire Kashmir region, Mattis, inadvertently or otherwise, brought up the phrase ‘disputed territory’ when expressing his country’s reservations about the corridor. “The One Belt, One Road (of which CPEC is the flagship) also goes through disputed territory, and I think that in itself shows the vulnerability of trying to establish that sort of a dictate,” US Defence Secretary James Mattis told the Senate Armed Services Committee late last week. India has always dismissed the notion of ‘disputed territory’ and called the entire region as its integral part. Major western capitals practically endorse New Delhi’s position and most have kept silence of expedience despite the wave of violence – hundreds of deaths, casualties and pellet-gun-induced fatal injuries to eyes – in the Indian-controlled Kashmir since the killing of Burhan Wani in Jualy 2016. Picking up on this paradox, General Nasir Janjua, the National Security Advisor, believes that the US Defence Secretary’s statement has resurrected the issue on the global radar. “This way the USA has not only recognisd Kashmir as a dispute but helped highlight it internationally,” Janjua told Daily Times. "Washington should now step forward and help us seek a solution to Kashmir in the light of the UN resolutions," he said, "Kashmir has been bleeding and the world has looked on silently. Isn't it about time for the US to deploy its leverage for securing a peaceful resolution of a disputed territory?" Janjua asked. Mattis' statement also validates Sino-Pakistan suspicions on the motives of the Indo-US opposition to CPEC. Secretary Mattis has also said that the US opposed China's 'One Belt, One Road' policy in principle because in a globalised world, there are many belts and many roads, and no one nation should put itself into a position of dictating 'One Belt, One...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 20, 2017
Women’s boxing and fitness. The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the Physical Fitness of females and female players. Strength and stamina of females working in different fields, importance of female physical fitness was discussed. In many instances, females are deprived of their basic rights. Although, women are accepted in many fields such as being pilots, engineers and in the army but women in sports have not been accepted as yet. Women in KP are not allowed to participate in boxing matches due to cultural constraints. Female health is of prime importance to ensure that they have the strength to look after their families and children and manage their daily routine also. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of parents and government that they must encourage female sports. Ms. Shehnaz Kamal, Boxing coach, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Kamal said: “I request females to first take care of their health. They will only be able to take care of their families if they themselves are healthy enough. Apart from this, parents are requested to support their children. If we increase the sports, hospitals and police stations will decrease automatically in direct proportion.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the views of females about the inauguration of female gym at Qayum Sports Complex. Two listeners took part in the program live. The listeners requested the parents to allow their daughters to participate in sports. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase September 19, 2017
Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) discussed several public issues, such as drug addiction, consumer courts, Ban on mobile and internet, education and festivals in different districts and Agencies of KP and FATA. The first report, highlights the alarming situation of drug use in Haleemzay area of District Charsadda. Reports mention that a lot of youth of the area are addicted to different narcotics like Ice, Heroin, senses etc, which badly impact the life and future of the concerned families. District Police Officer (DPO) Charsadda Mr. Sohail Khalid, talking in the show as telephonic guest pointed out the steps taken for the elimination of drugs from the area. He insisted that public cooperation and NGO support is required in this regard. Moreover, program discussed the hurdles faced due to ban on mobile network for the last six months and lack of internet facility for the last one year in Mohmand Agency, FATA. Report also mentioned that the transportation of Chemical fertilizer is also forbidden in the agency which impacts the agriculture production of the area. Public of the area demands removal of all bans from the area. The third report, highlighted the poor condition of consumer courts in Kohat district. Report mentioned that consumer courts in Kohat are useless because they do not provide justice to the consumers/complainants against different government departments. The fourth report, explained the reasons of failure of majority of the students of Khurram Agency, in the previous BCS examination from the University of Kohat. The last report highlighted the colors and importance of Kalam festival and the measures required for the improvement of tourism in the area. There were 11 feedback calls in the show; out of which 08 calls were aired live. Callers also discussed their local problems and tried to draw the attention of the authorities...
Ghani Accepts Invitation to Visit Pakistan
President Ashraf Ghani has accepted invitation to visit Pakistan, Afghan Ambassador Dr Omar Zakhilwal told Daily Times on Thursday. “President Ghani indeed accepted the invitation after it was extended to him by Gen (Qamar Javed) Bajwa on behalf of the Government of Pakistan,” Zakhilwal, who was part of President Ghani’s high-level delegation in talks with the Pakistan’s army chief, said. When asked about the timing of the Afghan leader’s visit, he said “no timing of the visit has been finalized so far.” Speaking at an anti-corruption conference in Kabul on Thursday, President Ghani once again pushed for increased dialogue with Pakistan to secure peace and stability. “We must secure peace. I call, once again, on Pakistan to intensify the state-to-state dialogue with us to secure regional peace and security,” he said in comments posted by the presidential palace on official Twitter account. Mixed messages are coming from Afghanistan after General Bajwa visited Kabul last week at a time when the relationship is at its lowest ebb amid deep mistrust. Gen Bajwa renewed Pakistan’s long standing offer to impart training to the Afghan security personnel. However, Kabul is seemed to have declined the offer. Afghan Defense Ministry Spokesman Dawlat Waziri told reporters in Kabul after the visit of the Pakistan army chief that Afghanistan will not send army officers for training in Pakistan in view of what he called mutual mistrust. “Pakistan should deal with us as a sovereign state. Pakistan should not consider us its 5th province. There is no chance to send our army cadets to Pakistan unless the environment of trust is developed. If this happens there will be no hurdle to send our army men for training to Pakistan as we are sending them to India, Russia, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and other countries," Waziri told a news conference in Kabul this week. Afghanistan had sent six Afghan National Army cadets to receive training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in...
All Together Now… One More Time
A day before his meeting with Pakistan’s foreign minister, Khawaja Asif, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis upped the ante by telling a House Armed Services Committee hearing that the administration would try “one more time” to work with Pakistan in Afghanistan before President Trump turned to options to address Islamabad’s alleged support for militant groups. In a separate hearing the same day, Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, minced no words when he said, “it is clear to me that the ISI has connections with terrorist groups.” This sounded like a replay of 2011, when US Navy Admiral Mike Mullen had told Congress that the Haqqani network was a “veritable arm” of the ISI directorate, followed by the network’s designation as a terrorist organization in 2012. By implication, the US administration holds Pakistan solely responsible for its as well as President Ashraf Ghani’s woes in Afghanistan. They also believe Pakistan, because of its leverage with the groups, holds the key both to the Taliban’s continued resistance and their participation in the peace talks. It is safe to assume that demand for “action against the Haqqani Network and delivering the Taliban for talks” remain a fundamental irreconcilable constant in Washington’s narrative on Pakistan Fundamental irreconcilables Regardless of what transpires in the Pak-US meetings, it is safe to assume that demand for “action against the Haqqani Network and delivering the Taliban for talks” remains a fundamental irreconcilable constant in Washington’s narrative on Pakistan. This also warrants a look at some basic fault lines of this troubled relationship and which are key to any qualitative change in bilateral relations. Pakistan, on the other hand, is constrained by its own non-negotiable constants. Firstly, while continuing its crackdown against all non-state actors, Pakistan will never wage war against the Afghan Taliban on its soil. It needs political space to gradually turn the back on all...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 15, 2017
The latest episode of Taroon (Bond) focused on traffic rules and regulations in Peshawar. One can often observe the violation of traffic rules in Peshawar, why people are not following the rules and regulations of traffic despite there being an effective system of traffic wardens? In most cases the traffic sergeants punish and fine violators of traffic rules. The program was recorded in Sadder Bazaar of Peshawar city, where several drivers of public transport, ordinary citizens and on duty traffic wardens took part in the discussion. “I have sold my passenger bus due to excessive punishment and charges fined by the traffic police and am now driving a small car. The traffic police harass and penalize us without any reason,” stated a taxi driver. In the middle of Peshawar Saddar bazaar, a mobile van of traffic police was awarding driving licenses to those who did not have this basic document and were running their vehicles without license. “We have arranged this activity for those drivers who have not a valid driving license. The activity will help to improve rule of law in the society. This is an open platform and everyone can apply for driving license,” said Anwar Khan, Incharge Traffic Warden Education Peshawar. “With the introducing of traffic warden system, there is significant improvement in attitude of traffic police and now we are following the practice of ‘pehle salaam –phir kalam’ with people” said a traffic warden while performing his duties on FC Chowk Peshawar. Citizens of Peshawar and traffic officials suggested that there is a dire need of awareness programs regarding traffic rules and regulations and the involvement of media is crucial in this regard. There were four calls received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal...
Sabawoon Showcase: September, 18, 2017
Real Position of Developmental Work of KP government in the Province. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the needs, impact and real situation of completed or in process development work of KP government. Moreover, program shed light on the importance of some mega projects and reasons for delay in the progress of different developmental works in the province and specifically in Peshawar. Arif Yousef, Advisor to CM KP and a senior journalists Aziz Bunery were the studio guests in the show. Mr. Yousef claimed that one can see cleanliness, greenery, flowers and change on GT Road and exit point of motor way to Peshawar. He also mentioned that on a mega project of around 49 billion rupees, rapid bus, speedy work is in progress. He also pointed out that the overhead bridge (Bab e Peshawar) near Hayatabad is near completion and that up gradations of Schools, Hospitals and other institutions are in process. Aziz Bunery, claimed that the contract of growing flowers on GT Road Peshawar, was given to a relative of CM KP illegally. He also criticized the way patients were dealt with in different hospitals of the province. There were a lot of calls and complaints put to Mr. Arif Yousef. We aired 09 calls live and received 14 calls off air. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 14, 2017
Importance of Book Reading. The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the importance of book reading and why our youngsters are moving away from reading in the context of their culture and tradition. Importance of book reading and lack of guidance given to students. to read about history was mentioned in the show. Students are reluctant to read course books due to poor quality education and the internet has also diverted their attention from reading. The culture of reading is dying due to which our youngsters are unaware of their cultural values. There is also a need of community libraries to further motivate people to develop the habit of reading. Moreover, the program also highlighted the role of Baacha Khan Educational Foundation which arranges study circles every month in which participants are given two books and at the end of the month they hold discussions to review the books. Ms. Wagma Feroz, member of Baacha Khan Trust Educational Foundation, Peshawar, took part as studio guest in the show. Ms. Wagma Feroz said: “Social media is now considered as the most powerful source of disseminating information and we are utilizing this tool for expanding our study circle and to engage more and more people into book reading.” A radio report was made part of the radio program. The report highlighted the causes behind the dying trend of book reading. Seven listeners took part in the program through live calls. They talked about the educational system. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 13, 2017
Working Women’s Contributions towards Society . The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the contribution of working women towards society. Women are playing a vital role in the development of the country. Due to their contribution, society is getting better day by day and they are serving the community by working in different fields. In the past, they were facing cultural barriers but the trend is changing as they are now taking part in active politics. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of parents, husbands and brothers that they must support their daughters, wives and sisters. Ms. Rozia Bashar, Instructor at Provincial Institute for Teachers Education, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Bashar said: “My message to females is to have faith in Allah and work hard for their ambition with high spirits and good will and they will achieve their goals.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the views of females about their contribution towards the society. One listener that took part in the program suggested that all the male members of society should play an active role in educating girls. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. 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....
Pak-Afghan détente : Are Fundamentals Changing?
The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani met with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the head of the Pakistan army, at his palace – Arg – in Kabul on Oct 1. Ghani branded this ice-breaking meeting as a “new season of relationships between Afghanistan and Pakistan” and that both countries should get the most out of the current situation[1]. Such encounters usually trigger hopes and raise expectations for the better. Both agreed to engage for rubbing off mistrust and focus on counter-terrorism. But this particular meeting begs the question as to whether any of the fundamentals that divide Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and the US have changed at all? And whether stakeholders can really get some thing , if not most, out of it, without any forward movement on those fundamentals? Context It would not be out of place to contextualise the Kabul meeting ahead of the arrival (Oct 2) in the US of Pakistan’s foreign minister Khwaja Mohammad Asif for first formal official talks, which are likely to mostly focus on Afghanistan. The Ghani-Bajwa meeting took place to the a week after Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi’s terse encounter with vice president Mike Pence meeting in Washington,[2] last week, and US Defence Secretary James Mattis’s latest talks in New Delhi with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Although, according to a Pakistan’s Foreign Office statement, both sides “ agreed that the two countries would stay engaged with a constructive approach to achieve shared objectives of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the region,” yet there was more than met the eyes. Both – Abbasi’s meeting with Pence as well his interactions elsewhere were a sort of “hard talk,” an assertive Pakistani perspective on issues such as Afghanistan and India. It certainly laid bare the faultlines that already exist in the tempestuous bilateral relations.[3] As expected, Abbasi regurgitated Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and also recalled that the country suffered huge losses as...
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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.