Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase September,12, 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 importance of the skills of women, women centers, forest, water and communication in different district and Agencies in KP and FATA. The first report highlighted the importance of women skill education and role of government institutions in this regard. Report mentioned the dire need of women skill centers in KP, particularly in Swat. Moreover, program shed discussed the hurdles due to the lack of clean drinking water, and other basic facilities in Kohat. The local public staged a protest against the elected representatives of KP and District assemblies for not taking interest and failing to provide basic facilities in the area. The third report highlighted the poor condition of the dangerous and out of dated bridges in District Charsadda. There are five rivers in district Charsadda and several bridges that are there to connect Charsadda with the surrounding districts and cities. Unfortunately some of the bridges are more than eighty years old and expired, but government has paid no attention to repair and strengthen it or replace it with new ones. The overloaded and heavy transport has made the bridges more dangerous while passing it. In the final report the reporter mentioned the favorable weather and atmosphere for the very precious olive tree. Report mentioned that in South and North Waziristan agencies the atmosphere is very good for olives, but there is still no attention being given by the forest department to increase the ratio of this valuable and precious tree in the area. There were 19 feedback calls in the show; 11 calls were aired live in the show. Callers also discussed their local problems and tried to draw the attention of the authorities through CRSS provided network facility. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal...
Capitol Hill Offers No Rosy View on Afghan Situation
Trump Administration’s Afghanistan Strategy continues to remain subject to controversy and confusion. There are conflicting messages coming out of Washington DC. While the President says ‘we will win’, his secretary of state Rex Tillerson’s position can be summed up: ‘we may not win, but neither will you, and at some point, we have to come to the negotiating table and find a way to bring this to an end’. Discussions with officials at the Capitol Hill suggest that despite the obvious difference in connotation, both Trump and Tillerson are in agreement on one issue – most of the point men assigned for political reconciliation at the State Department are being shown the door. No replacements are envisaged either – at least for the moment after their contracts run out in the coming days. Most of the permanent employees at the State Department, too, are being posted out for other tasks. This has also triggered speculation as to whether the doors have been slammed on the political option for the time being with a view to ‘beat Taliban into weakness and force them into talks’. But will this also mean the demise of the Taliban’s political office in Doha, Qatar? Some of the officials around Tillerson, particularly those with military background, believe that Doha office has lost its relevance. To justify this position, they point to little progress in peace talks and an apparent disconnect between the political office and Taliban commanders on ground in Afghanistan. The latest meeting between US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman further lends credence to the view that a more aggressive approach towards the Taliban is in the offing. In the meeting in New Delhi, both officials agreed to enhance the Indian role in counter-terrorism training of Afghan troops as well as capacity building of the police force in the fight against the Taliban, who according to US officials control or contest some 45 per cent of Afghan districts at the...
Pak, Afghan Military Leaders Set to Hold Security Dialogue
Top Pakistan and Afghan military leaders are set to hold high-level dialogue in Kabul in a few days that could mainly focus on each other’s security concerns. Chief of Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa is scheduled to travel to Kabul most likely at the weekend that will be his first visit to Kabul since he has assumed office in November last year, sources told Daily Times. The top general will hold official talks with his Afghan counterpart and is likely to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Although there may not be a breakthrough during the visit in view of the deteriorating relations and widespread mistrust, the visit will mark resumption of the high level military talks. In Afghanistan, political commentators argue that the Pakistan Army and intelligence agencies have a major role in Afghan affairs and they could play a key role in restoration of peace. Afghanistan leading Tolo TV has quoted the Afghan defence ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri as saying his government will reiterate its call to Pakistan to take action against “terrorist hideouts and safe havens inside Pakistan territory.” Kabul and American military leaders allege Afghan Taliban leaders have been living in Pakistan. Although the military media wing ISPR has not yet commented on General Bajwa’s visit, Pakistan side is most likely to share its serious concerns over the presence of the Pakistani Taliban armed groups TTP, Jamaatul Ahrar and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. They are blamed for terrorism in Pakistan. Security officials had long been insisting that the Pakistani leaders operate from the Afghan soil of the border, mostly in Nangarhar, Kunar, Nuristan, Paktia, Paktika and Khost. They say the Pakistani militants have fled to Afghanistan in view of the military operations in the tribal regions and Malakand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistan Army said on Saturday that a soldier was killed when terrorists opened fire from across the border on a newly established border post in Rajgal, Khyber Agency....
CRSS Conducts Workshop on “Role Of Media In Shaping Narratives” In Pakistan And Afghanistan
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted a training workshop for the youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan on the ‘Role of Media in Shaping Narratives’ in Pakistan and Afghanistan relations on Tuesday, September 26. The workshop was designed as part of CRSS’ Afghan Studies Center (ASC) initiative to bring together the youth of both countries on one platform and conduct joint exercises between them to increase their interaction, awareness and reduce the unnecessarily growing misperceptions on both sides of the border. Senior Broadcast Journalist and Analyst Rehman Azhar, who holds vast experience and knowledge in the field of broadcast journalism having worked at Aaj News, Dunya, Express, Express 24/7 and Geo, and currently hosts a prime time TV current affairs program “Center Stage with Rehman Azhar” at Express TV, was the chief guest and trainer at the workshop. He shared his insights and experience as a senior media person with the participants and the role played by the media and its significance in shaping narratives in the context of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The workshop focused on acquainting the youth with the different dynamics involved in the two countries’ media while also educating them with the potential of media utilization in positive ways. The workshop was attended by 18 young Pakistani and Afghan participants from various universities in Islamabad, including Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), and Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), along with other young and vibrant activists. During the workshop, the participants were put through several group exercises using examples from both countries as a way to pinpoint how the media is shaping narratives of the masses. A point of discussion was also whether it is the media fabricating those narratives or the media itself is molded by the larger ideological and national narratives. In the brainstorming exercise, participants from...
Sabawoon Showcase: September, 11, 2017
Merits and demerits of new 4 year degree programs in colleges of KP. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the needs, impact and merits and demerits of Higher Education Commission and approved four year degree programs in all colleges and universities of Pakistan. Most of the students are still feeling uneasy with this new course work of BS 4 year degree program. It consists of a semester examination system in the Universities and Colleges. In this degree program, there is a shortage of expert teachers and facilities that are being provided in different subjects. Moreover the program also sheds light on the importance of starting this program. Mr. Danish Fareed, Assistant Director Higher Education Department KP, and Mr. Tariq Afghan, a social worker and student leader were the studio guests in the show. Mr Danish said that this new 4 year semester system degree program is very important for the youth, as the world has turned into a global village and our degree holders need to compete with students from all over the world in different fields. A report was made part of the show in which the students of different colleges’ complained against this new degree program and mentioned that this is a very expensive program instead of the yearly system. We received 6 calls in which we aired 4 calls live. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 7, 2017
Spirit of Qurbani (Sacrifice) in Islam The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the real spirit of Qurbani (sacrifice) in Islam. Eid Ul Azha is the holiest Eid among the two, sacrificial animals are slaughtered during the eid to follow the sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS). Sacrifice is performed in order to distribute the meat among the poor who cannot afford meat. Eid also gives us the message of goodness and equality between the rich and poor. In the past many people performed this religious ceremony but without any spirit of sacrifice and many, may not have performed it according to Islamic principles such as distribution of meat amongst the needy people. Moreover, the discussion emphasized on the spirit of sacrifice instead of merely doing it for the sake of showing off. Mr. Hidayat Ullah, Religious Scholar and Teacher of Peshawar, took part as a studio guest in the show. Mr. Hidayat said: “It is essential to let the youngsters know that they should avoid one wheeling and over speeding during Eid and other especial days.” A radio report was made part of the radio program. The report highlighted the real spirit of sacrifice in Islam. 4 listeners took part in the program through live calls. They requested the public to distribute the sacrificial meat among the poor. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase Taroon, September 08, 2017
Reading Habits of University Students. The latest episode of Taroon (Bond) focused on involving students in co-curricular activities. Generally, in educational intuitions emphasis is always on completing the course work as it is perceived that students have less interest and time to devote to co-curricular activities like reading general books, participating in other social activities. The program shed light on how students live on Campus and how they interact with teachers. What are their feelings and observations about current problems and situation of the country and society? The program was recorded in the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, with Professor Dr. Mohammad Adil, Professor Mohammad Ali, along with other students of the faculty. Dr. Adil stated that beside course work, they also teach the students ethical subjects, impart moral values and there are numerous forums of social and co-curricular activities for the students. “We have initiated, Active Citizen Program,” that facilitate the students in grooming and optimizing their hidden skills in the field of debates, sports and other social activities. Farooq Shah, a student of the faculty of Civil Engineering, UET Peshawar, stated that education in universities basically means making the students good human beings and the second priority is turning us into engineers and doctors. In this program, the subject of Civil Engineering and establishment of earth quake center also came under discussion. A modern state of the art laboratory of earth quake center has been established after the massive earth quake of 2005. “After the 2005 earth quake, there was a dire need to learn something from this catastrophe, hence government established this center, and research is conducted here about generating building codes for new structures and we also share our inputs and research papers with relevant government departments, ” stated Dr. Said. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber...
Sabawoon Showcase: September 6, 2017
Students Deprived of College Admissions. The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the SSC students problems; they are not getting admissions due to lack of seats in government colleges. Students are facing problems in admissions in Governmnet colleges, due to high merit and less seats. Most of the students cannot afford admissions in private colleges due to high fee structure, students getting A grades and above 900 marks are still out of colleges. Only in Swat, 9000 students are waiting for admissions in government colleges. The program shed light on the role of government that they must increase the number of seats in government colleges as well as the increase in the number of colleges. Mr. Azmat Ali, Ph. D Scholar in Civil Engineering and Educationist, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Mr. Ali said: “16 colleges to cater to a population of more than 42 lac people, are not enough in Peshawar. Government must arrange seats for deserving students on emergency basis to save their educational year. ” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the problems of students. 5 listeners took part in the program. The listeners urged the government to increase the number of government schools and colleges. 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 5, 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 education, health, water and sanitation, diseases in different districts and Agencies of KP and FATA. Before airing the first report we talked with our telephonic guest Mr. Ali Rehman Regional Manager Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar, in order to update the listeners regarding the cleanliness situation in the City, after massive campaigns regarding the Eid garbage disposal. He stated that the WSSP completed the work according to the schedule. In the first report, we discussed the absence of Middle and High schools in Dawezai area of Tehsil, Pandayali Mohmand Agency. The population of the area is more than 15000 people but there is no Middle and High school for girls and boys. Local people requested the authorities to establish schools in the area. Moreover, the program discussed the hurdles of the local public due to the lack of schools, hospitals and drinking water in Sarokai area of Tehsil Ladha, South Waziristan Agency. People also complaint against their elected representative, for not taking interest in the development of the area. They demanded the government authorities to visit the area and provide basic facilities to the local public. The third report highlights the issue of lack of Tube wells in central Kurram Agency. According to the report there are only two tubes well for a large population of more than 1500 families in the area. Moreover there is no proper piping system to distribute the water among the houses. The local tribal elders requested the political administration to resolve the problem. There were 16 feedback calls in the show, 10 calls were aired live in the show. Callers also discussed their local problems and tried to draw the attention of the authorities through CRSS provided network facility. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)...
Needed — Policy to Counter Extremism
Such a policy can help prevent potentially extremist individuals from a crossing a line and becoming terrorists. Counter-terror and military operations have remained a major part of Pakistan’s security policy since 2004. Yet, even with such a heavy-handed focus on security, Pakistan still lacks a comprehensive policy on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE); with only a generic National Action Plan (with 20 broad points) as the only referred document on such matters. Even though the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), under its Directorate of Countering Violent Extremism, has formulated a National Counter Extremism Policy (NECP), very little information is available on it for the general public. Ironically, NACTA’s national international security policy (NISP) only gives a passing reference to violent extremism a couple of time in its 94 page document, along with a clichéd overemphasis on madaris as a source of radicalisation and terror recruitment. Countering Violent Extremism — also referred to as Preventing Violent Extremism — has remained a major topic of focus among policy makers since the 9/11 and 7/7 attacks in USA and the UK respectively. It was in 2015 that the concept took the centre-stage in global counter-terror policymaking with a three day conference in the White House, chaired by President Obama and attended by ministers from almost 70 countries, followed by a side-line session at the United Nations General Assembly. This also led to a major CVE policy announced by the Obama administration focusing on early signs and intervention of extremism. The major focus of the policy against extremism ought to be on structural causes like lack of religious tolerance, government failures and political, economic, and social marginalization One of the major focuses of any CVE is its focus on structural causes of extremism such as lack of religious tolerance, government/administrative failure, and political, economic, and social marginalisation. By focusing...
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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.