Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase: August 30, 2017
Eid Ul Azha Sacrifice and Civic Responsibilities Regarding Cleanliness The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the importance of Eid ul Azha and its sacrifice in the light of Islam and how to take care of environment and cleanliness after the sacrifice. Importance of Eid Ul Azha and sacrifice_ Eid Ul Azha is considered the holier Eid out of the two Eids in a year, this eid is holier because of the immense sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim, kind of sacrifice and its share, those on whom the sacrifice is compulsory? One should not do it for the purpose of showing off because it is for the pleasure of Allah. One should not fasten or display the sacrificial animals in the streets to bother others. Moreover, the program shed light on the role and responsibilities of the citizens and government to keep the environment clean after the performance of sacrifice. Mr. Mohammad Anwar, religious scholar, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Mr. Anwar said: “Sacrifice is not to show off. It is worship. One should not present his or her animal for display. Sacrifice should only be done to please Allah.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the views of public about the cleanliness after Eid Ul Azha. Three listeners took part in the program. The listeners urged the government to take proper action for the removal of waste material on time. 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...
SIGAR Faults US for Faulty Afghan Forces Development
The United States failed to understand the complexities and scale of the mission required to stand up and mentor security forces in a country suffering from thirty years of war, misrule, corruption, and deep poverty, US Special Inspector General John F. Sopko said in the latest of his reports released Thursday. This report details the U.S. experience of reconstructing the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). The release coincided with remarks by Special Inspector General John F. Sopko at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Salient features of the Report: The United States failed to understand the complexities and scale of the mission required to stand up and mentor security forces in a country suffering from thirty years of war, misrule, corruption, and deep poverty. Early U.S. partnerships with independent militias—intended to advance U.S. counterterrorism objectives—ultimately undermined the creation and role of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP). S. military plans for ANDSF readiness were created under politically constrained timelines, rather than based upon realistic assessments of Afghan readiness. The U.S. government lacks a deployable police-development capability for high-threat environments, so we have trained over 100,000 Afghan police using U.S. Army aviators, infantry officers, and civilian contractors. One U.S. officer watched TV shows like Cops and NCIS to learn what he should teach. In eastern Afghanistan, we met a U.S. Army helicopter pilot assigned to teach policing. The NATO training mission for the ANDSF was chronically understaffed by more than 50%. Insufficient attention to Afghan institutional capacity meant that the personnel, logistical, planning, administrative, and other functions vital to sustaining the fighting forces remained underdeveloped—as they do to this day. The U.S. government is not well organized to conduct large scale security-sector assistance...
Sabawoon Showcase: August 29, 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, female voter registration campaign and veterinary diseases in different districts and Agencies of KP and FATA. The first report highlights the importance of female voter registration campaign in district Kohat. District Election Commissioner Kohat, Mr. Shahab Khan speaking as a telephonic guest in the show impresses on the public to cooperate with the district committee working for the increase of female vote in the area. He insisted that constitutional amendment and changes in course book of the schools are essential for the cause. Moreover, program discussed the hurdles faced due to the lack of free books for class 8th 9th and 10th in Mohmand Agency FATA. Deputy Director Education FATA, Mr. Abbas Khan assured the listeners that the problem will be overcome in a couple of days. He demanded a separate text book board for FATA, to eliminate the shortage problem forever. The third report, highlights the veterinary disease in central Kurram Agency, impacting the lives of hundreds of goats and other animals. According to the animal owners, the disease will certainly affect their economy. In the final report, the reporter mentioned the illegal use of local graveyard, for animal business in district Charsadda. A local Mufti/ Islamic scholar condemned the act and insisted that the district administration should take responsibility for the safety and cleanness of the graveyard. There were 14 feedback calls in the show, 8 calls were aired live and 2 SMS attended to 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 Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the...
“Trade And Peace Go Hand In Hand,” Fourth CRSS Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue Highlighted
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted its fourth Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue under its Afghan Studies Center initiative on Wednesday, September 20, 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 focused on ‘Enhancing Pak-Afghan Trade for Peace & Economic Development: Youth Perspective’ which was attended by 30 participants – 19 Afghans and 11 Pakistanis, comprising students enrolled in higher education programs in Islamabad and Peshawar. Honorable Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, and also Chairman Afghan Studies Center, who served as the Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2014, was the chief guest, while Mr. Mozammil Shinwari, former Afghan Deputy Minister for Trade and Commerce, from Afghanistan, and Ms. Faiza, Secretary General of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) from Karachi, gave presentations on Pak-Afghan trade to the participants via Skype calls. Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director at CRSS, moderated the dialogue while Mr. Essa Naqvi from Dunya TV, and Frank Sun, a CRSS researcher from China, were also present. Ambassador Sadiq in his opening remarks welcomed the young Afghan and Pakistani participants and emphasized that the two countries have been in need of such enterprising young minds who can push for positive change. Speaking on the theme, he stated that trade is indeed a vital aspect of soft power and soft power brings countries closer. Until quite recently, Pakistan was Afghanistan’s largest trading partner while Afghanistan was Pakistan’s second largest trading partner. It was only in recent months that the two lost that position with each other; however, reclaiming that is not difficult, he reminded. An important part of soft power as well as a binding force between the two peoples is increased investment in each other’s country. Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq also...
Sabawoon Showcase: August, 28, 2017
Dengue disease and the current situation of Peshawar valley. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the current situation and the steps taken by the government to control dengue virus in Peshawar and the surrounding districts. In the last two months, dengue virus has hit Peshawar very badly, in the last one month death toll reached 10, more than 1000 are still hospitalized and the number of effected people is more than 3000. Provincial government’s response is very poor towards the disease. Moreover, program shed light on the current situation of the specific dengue hit area, Tehkal payan. Medical teams of Punjab government are deployed in the area, to conduct research on the reasons and symptoms of dengue virus, etc. Mr. Ateef ul Rahman, Ex MPA and JUI leader condemned the poor and delayed response of the KP government towards the disease and the public of the area while talking as a guest on the show. He further stated that he is also one of the petitioners in the case against the CM and Minister of Health KP in High Court of criminal negligence on their part in the spread of dengue disease. DC Peshawar, Mr. Saqib Raza speaking as a telephonic guest in the show stated that for the last four days door to door spray is going on and the situation is under control. He requested the public to avail safety measures due to the presence of dengue in the area. A report was made part of the show in which the statistics was shared of patients in different hospitals. Eleven calls were received, out of which six calls were aired 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: August, 28, 2017.
Dengue disease and the current situation of Peshawar valley. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the current situation and the steps taken by the government to control dengue virus in Peshawar and the surrounding districts. In the last two months, dengue virus has hit Peshawar very badly, in the last one month death toll reached 10, more than 1000 are still hospitalized and the number of effected people is more than 3000. Provincial government’s response is very poor towards the disease. Moreover, program shed light on the current situation of the specific dengue hit area, Tehkal payan. Medical teams of Punjab government are deployed in the area, to conduct research on the reasons and symptoms of dengue virus, etc. Mr. Ateef ul Rahman, Ex MPA and JUI leader condemned the poor and delayed response of the KP government towards the disease and the public of the area while talking as a guest on the show. He further stated that he is also one of the petitioners in the case against the CM and Minister of Health KP in High Court of criminal negligence on their part in the spread of dengue disease. DC Peshawar, Mr. Saqib Raza speaking as a telephonic guest in the show stated that for the last four days door to door spray is going on and the situation is under control. He requested the public to avail safety measures due to the presence of dengue in the area. A report was made part of the show in which the statistics was shared of patients in different hospitals. Eleven calls were received, out of which six calls were aired 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...
Pakistani Women Police in Cairns
The fight for indiscriminate treatment at societal and institutional level remains a continuous struggle Cairns — This beautiful resort town in north-eastern Australia on the Pacific Ocean is currently hosting a unique gathering of over 500 female police officers — drawn from 63 nations. They converged here to participate in the 17th International Women and Law Enforcement Conference (IWLEC) that got underway Monday morning with a beautiful spectacle; a Parade of Nations. As the clock struck 8, dozens of national flags went up in the air and delegations from across the Asia-Pacific region — all dressed in their respective national uniforms — made a beeline to follow their flag-bearer through the quiet streets of Cairns. Bemused locals as well as tourists looked on as the foreign female officers marched past. The marchers included about a dozen Pakistani women police officers of different cadres, dressed in their police and para-military fatigues. After meandering through the streets for about two kilometres the spectacular parade culminated at the grand Cairns Convention Centre, the venue of the conference. During the various sessions in the last two days, local guest speakers, including senior police officials, picked on themes such as women role in peace and security in an international context, benefits of gender responsive policing, gender imbalance, social and political discrimination within the institution, response to offence against women, mainstreaming of women voices against excesses through effective women policing. The inaugural ceremony was an amazing display of humour, serious talk, human and animal rights and a bit of inspirational music — all rolled into one strong message i.e. empowered women can do wonders if given opportunity. Equal opportunity is what also seems to drive the present day Australia; women make some 40 percent of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) force too. Women presence is visible wherever you go. One indicator for this...
CRSS Represented At 2017 International Women and Law Enforcement Conference In Australia
Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director CRSS, represented the center at the 17th International Women and Law Enforcement Conference (IWLEC), held in Cairns, Australia. Themes such as women role in peace and security in an international context, benefits of gender responsive policing, gender imbalance, social and political discrimination within the institution, response to offence against women, mainstreaming of women voices against excesses through effective women policing will come under discussion at the conference. Mr Gul’s topic of presentation was Understanding Women, Peace /Freedom in Contemporary Pakistan where he discussed issues such as domestic violence and abuse faced by women in Pakistan. Mr Gul, while giving various examples and cases of prominent public figures, also argued how a controlled radical narrative in the country demonizes successful women. He further argued that despite social and institutional limitations, countless women have defied odds and rose to prominence and in the process also became part of the inspiration for pro-women legislation. Change to plight of women will come only gradually, he underscored, through collective efforts. Mr Gul concluded by arguing that only empowerment and liberties for women can unleash their true talent and energies in the society. The IWLEC 2017 is a five day conference held in Cairns, Queensland, organized by the The International Association of Women Police (IAWP) and the Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP), and supported by the Queensland Police Service (QPS), inviting almost 1000 leaders from across 60 countries advancing women in police services across the globe.
The Hollowing Out of India
BUFFETED by strong economic headwinds, which have gathered momentum since the insane demonetisation exercise of last November and made more fierce by a poorly designed change in the national taxation system, Indians have had little time to worry about what else is shaking their republic. Perhaps they feel the tremors but are as yet unaware of how seriously the pillars of its democratic traditions are being rocked. When everyone from IT-sector geeks to traders in the country’s most prosperous hubs see their livelihoods evaporating it’s difficult to focus on such things as the wellbeing of institutions that have been the bedrock of its democracy. What the anarchic demonetisation exercise did, apart from reducing the country’s GDP by one per cent and sending the economy into a tailspin, is to undermine the Reserve Bank of India, which has long been lauded for its independence. That reputation now lies in tatters after it was forced go along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political gamble. Of more serious concern is what is happening to other institutions such as academia and, most worryingly, the armed forces. Take the curious case of Lt-Col Shrikant Purohit, which the previous government had highlighted as an instance of saffron terror. Purohit was released on bail by the Supreme Court last month after spending nine years in jail. His case is important because he is the first serving Indian Army official to be accused of involvement in an act of terror. The Modi government is chipping away at the institutions and traditions that define the republic. Purohit was arrested in 2008 as one of the conspirators in the Malegaon bomb blast, which killed seven persons and injured 100 in a town known for its Muslim weavers. What is unnerving is the silence of the army. The army has made no official statement but ‘sources’ were quoted as saying he would remain under suspension but would be attached to a unit. For the ordinary person, it is difficult to fathom how an...
Sabawoon Showcase: August 25, 2017
Reasons, merit and demerit of the culture of ragging in colleges. The latest episode of Taroon (bond) focused on the current trend of ragging of new comers in different colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. What is the culture of ragging in colleges, when did it start? What is the impact of ragging on new comers, what are the merits and demerits of ragging first year students in colleges? Moreover, program shed light on the awareness and sensitivity of youth students towards social responsibilities. Program was recorded in Islamia College University of Peshawar, with Mr. Professor Abasyn Yousafzai, the chairman of Pashto department and President of Khyber Union. Doctor Salar, a retired administrator and scholar and with students of First and second year of the college. Majority of participants in the show agreed that ragging of newly admitted students is not a good culture, it creates hurdles for the new comers and affects students mentally, psychologically and even physically. It creates hatred towards the senior students and in extreme cases, some new students quit the college due to the fear of ragging. It should be stopped by college administration around the country. Ten listeners took part in the program through off air calls and SMS. They praised the topic and gave their positive feedback. 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...
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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.