Current Projects
Pakistan Is Not Deterred by Trump’s Afghan Policy That Favours India
Islamabad is extremely suspicious of Donald Trump’s South Asia policy because it gives an open cheque to India for mounting a double front against Pakistan A unanimous parliamentary resolution in Islamabad on August 30, which denounced United States President Donald Trump’s “complete disregard for Pakistan’s vast sacrifices” in counter-terror efforts and called on the government to consider suspending cooperation with the US, possibly defined the new contours of ties with Washington. Also, the tone and tenor of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who chaired two emergency huddles of the National Security Committee (NSC), a forum comprising top civilian and army officials, indicated that after a decade-and-a half of rocky ties Pakistani civilian and military elites have decided to collectively reject Trump’s intimidation of Pakistan while unveiling his new Afghan and South Asia strategy, on August 20. With this Pakistan drew the line between its own course of anti-terror action and the demands placed by Trump. It went into an “enough is enough” mode in unison, and foreign minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif put off his Washington visit, advising Alice Wells, US secretary of state for South and Central Asia, to do the same to avoid mutual embarrassments. Both Abbasi and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa openly rebuked Trump for singling out Pakistan as the cause of Afghanistan’s troubles, and instead demanded “due” recognition of its material losses (up to $125 bn) and human sacrifices (nearly 70,000) in the anti-terror war. Abbasi went to the extent of forecasting doom for Trump’s Afghan policy. And there are cogent reasons for this bravado in Islamabad. First, Trump and Prime Minister Modi’s ascendant views on Pakistan have fuelled frustration and driven the political Right and Left into believing that the “unholy collusion” comprising India, Afghanistan and the US is aimed at hurting the interests — not only of Pakistan but also of its political allies such as...
Sabawoon Showcase: August 11, 2017
Our society and social responsibility. The latest episode of Taroon (Bond) shed light on the importance of social responsibilities like cleanliness; obeying the queue and no smoking zone etc. This important road show was recorded in a river side picnic point, Fiza Gat and Centre Hospital in District Swat. There is a famous quote that a human being is a social animal and requires the presence of people around him. Keeping in view the above quote the anchor raised some questions regarding the social responsibilities of each visitor to the park, river side and hospitals as well. In this interesting show, a smoker in the park openly accepted his fault and apologized to our listeners and further advised them not to smoke in public places. Another employee of the park who used to throw the garbage into the river, promised to refrain from doing it ever again. The program shed light on the civic duty of each and every patient in the hospital. 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.
Sabawoon Showcase: August 10, 2017
One Wheeling on the occasion of Independence Day The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the one wheeling of youngsters on bikes on special occasions and the role of parents in guiding their children about the use of bikes. Celebration of 14th August with enthusiasm, decoration with lightening on government buildings, special functions arranged to celebrate independence all go together in creating a festive environment. Youngsters demonstrate free one wheeling on busy roads, they do stunts to impress others but do not realize its consequences. One wheeling is increasing day by day, many youngsters have lost their lives in bike accidents and those who survived have been disabled for their whole life. Special campaigns should be arranged for develop awareness. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of parents and government and the part that should be played by them in the eradication of one wheeling. Government should take strict action against such misdemeanors and impose heavy fines on the wrong doers. Mr. Mohib Ullah, a serving doctor of Mass Trauma, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, and Toufiq Safi, a software engineer and family member of a victim, took part as studio guests in the show. Dr. Mohib Ullah said: “A number of people have become psychologically ill after meeting fatal accidents. This puts negative impact on the mind and the fear may exist for a long period. Parents must guide their children about the traffic rules before giving them the bike keys.” Mr. Safi said: “Unnecessary use of bikes should be strictly avoided and we should take precautionary measures while driving to reduce the risk.” Two listeners took part in the program through live calls and 5 listeners participated in the show through text messages. They urged the government to take strict action against those who don’t obey traffic rules. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the...
Sabawoon Showcase: August 9, 2017
Counseling/Guidance Camps for Students admissions The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the guidance camps arranged by the senior students to help the new comers in filling their admission forms and guiding them about the relevant department, instead of ragging. Admissions have started in colleges and universities and the new students are facing problems in selection of subjects. There is no counseling at college and university level and the students don’t even know how to fill out the admission forms. Different federations and political party’s worker students, came up with an idea and arranged guidance camps for new students and this effort is deeply appreciated by the new students and they were full of praise for the services. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of educational institutions and teachers that along with the studies, they must build character of their students by making them confident enough to help decide about their future themselves. Malik Siraj Afridi, Member of People Students Federation and Dost Muhammad, Member of Islami Jamiat e Talba, Peshawar, took part as the studio guests in the show. Mr. Muhammad said: “Education plays a vital role in the development of our country. One should get practical education. To get admission in renowned institutions one should work hard to obtain high grades.” Mr. Afridi said: “Students must not limit themselves to course work only. They should avoid learning via mugging up as it would not help in the academic fields ahead. They should get knowledge of every field.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report contained the voices of the students related to how much benefit they are getting from these guidance camps. Five listeners took part in the program through text messages. The listeners shared their marks and asked about the merit of different colleges. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It...
Chinese Commitment and Expectations
Despite the exit of Nawaz Sharif, officials and intelligentsia in China remain confident and exuberant about some early harvest projects - energy, transportation and logistics - nearing close to completion in 2018. They have already begun talking of vigorously focussing on accelerated cooperation in the establishment of an industrial park envisioned under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The fast completion of the Free Zone by end of 2017, with more than 30 Chinese companies already registered for setting up businesses there, is likely to attract greater business interest. Discussions with Chinese officials, businessmen and intelligentsia on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and One Belt, One Road (OBOR) are often a mix of explicit determination, visible confidence, friendly candour, and measured caution on issues ranging from geo-politics to geo-economics. These interactions also convey a sense of urgency for seamless and faster realisation of President Xi Jinping's goals; he is known as a go-getter as well as somebody known for his knack for ruthless accountability. Chairman Mao led us out of the stranglehold of Western powers. So did Deng Xiao Ping, but through the OBOR, President Xi Jinping has designed a modern way of dealing with the circles being laid around China, says a Peking University professor. Most Chinese also love Xi for the massive restructuring of civil-military bureaucracies and his anti-graft campaign that has seen a few thousand people penalised, jailed, dismissed or demoted. This phenomenal journey from rags to riches, from a rural economy to the status of a global factory of nearly all essentials of life - through a sustained series of policies through multiple five-year plans - has instilled nearly all Chinese with confidence and national pride. They don't want any hiccups in the way of the consolidation of their economic achievements. Their message to the outside world is unambiguous; China has a unique political clout and...
Sabawoon Showcase: August 8, 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, life security and anti-encroachment campaign in different districts and agencies in KP and FATA. The first report highlights the issue of delay in the construction of the new building of Liaqat Memorial Women and Children hospital in district Kohat. Advisor to CM KP Mr. Ziaullah Bangash speaking as a telephonic guest said that initially a UN organization was promised for providing a quarter of required funds for reconstruction of the said hospital, but unfortunately they could not fulfill the promise. Now the KP government will provide full funding in the coming two years and the hospital will be rebuild as initially designed. Moreover, the program discussed the hurdles faced due to the rationalization policy of KP education department. ADEO Charsadda Mr. Sajid Ullah khan speaking as a telephonic guest cleared the position of the department and mentioned that positive results have been generated from the policy. He claimed that all efforts are being made for providing quality education in KP. In the third report the issue of explosive and accidental blasts in Swat was discussed, which occur due to the existing explosives in different areas of Swat as a result of previous militancy era. According to the report more than 200 persons were injured in the last two years in the area. Another report mentioned an anti-encroachment drive in DIK of KP and the last report highlighted the importance of a literary event organized by Poetic organization of Mohmand Agency in honor of the position holders of the Agency in Metric examination. There were six feedback calls in the show, four were aired live. 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...
CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul’s Take on Trump’s New Afghan Plan
"The new Trump policy basically will be an extremely difficult thing to implement if not disastrous, because this overlooks certain basic ground realities. The ground reality is that the region currently is divided into two major blocs. One bloc comprises India, Afghanistan and United States of America. The other bloc comprises Pakistan, China, Russia, Turkey and Iran. These countries have their own view on how to move ahead...." Watch CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul's full comment in the video. https://vimeo.com/230728800
Sabawoon Showcase: August, 07, 2017.
Viral diseases and prevention steps taken by KP GOVT. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the role of Health department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regarding the steps taken to control viral diseases like Dengue etc. Dengue is a seasonal disease, spread by a mosquito, growing in rainy season and on clean water. It is a viral disease, causing high temperature, this particular mosquito specially attacks in the morning and evening time. The debate revolved around the preventive measures and care of the patient and more over the discussion during the show was focused on the data and measures undertaken by the KP government in this regard. Doctor Shaheen Afridy, Director Public Health department of Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was the studio guest in the show. She stated that Dengue is not a very dangerous disease but one should take extreme care. Mrs Afridy further elaborated that the disease can be diagnosed in any laboratory in the country. She insisted that the public should take preventive measures to avoid Dengue. A report was made part of the show in which the data of dengue patients was shared in three major hospitals of Peshawar. We received six calls out of which we aired two live ones with one SMS reply. 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,...
Participants of CRSS’ Third Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue Stress On Cultural Cooperation In Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted its third Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue under its Afghan Studies Center initiative on Monday, August 21, 2017, in Islamabad, as part of its ongoing series of monthly dialogues aimed at enhancing people to people contact between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The theme of the dialogue highlighted culture as a common ground for cooperation between the people of both countries which was attended by 17 participants – seven Afghans and ten Pakistanis, most of whom were students enrolled in higher education programs or young working professionals. Some of the participants had travelled from Bannu, Peshawar, Mardan and other distant areas to participate in the dialogue. Qazi Humayun, former Ambassador to Turkey and Afghanistan, was invited as the chief guest while Mr. Aized Ali, CRSS Project Director Beyond Boundaries, moderated the discussion. Mr. Qazi Humayun welcomed the participants to the dialogue in his opening remarks and expressed his emphasis on the role of culture in connecting people beyond boundaries. Referring to historical engagements between the two neighbors, Mr. Humayun elucidated that cultural interaction has been a centuries-old factor in the relations between the people that resided in present day Pakistan and Afghanistan since the time when there was no air travel and Afghanistan was the only gateway to Central Asia for India and vice versa. Furthermore, he explicated, that while refugees in most countries remain confined to refugee camps, Pakistan did not place any restrictions on the movement of the 1.5 million Afghan refugees that have been living in Pakistan. As a result, Afghan culture has blended into many customs in the Pakistani society. He also commended the efforts of CRSS on maximizing positive interactions between the youth of both countries to find commonalities and push for peaceful narratives. Mr. Aized Ali further introduced the participants to CRSS’ track 1.5/2 efforts to...
The Youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan Come Together In A Workshop On Motivation, Leadership & Communication Skills
As part of its endeavors to bring together the youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan through joint activities, the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad, conducted a workshop for young Pakistanis and Afghans on “Motivation, Leadership and Communication Skills” under its initiative Afghan Studies Center at its head office in Islamabad on Thursday. Security analyst and journalist Zeeshan Salahuddin, who was invited as the trainer for the workshop, coached the participants from both countries on strengthening their capacity and motivation to become good leaders and problem solvers not only in their lives but also their respective countries and the region. The workshop aimed at helping the youth become messengers of peace and cooperation beyond boundaries by inculcating qualities of leadership, a sense of motivation, and critical problem solving skills in them. Participants included students from Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), and Islamic Relief, along with other young and vibrant activists. Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director Beyond Boundaries Track 1.5/II at CRSS, who was also present, welcomed the participants and apprised them regarding CRSS’ Pak-Afghan Beyond Boundaries Track1.5/II initiative which led to the emergence Afghan Studies Center (ASC). He told the participants that Beyond Boundaries had been a conscious effort to bridge the gulf of mistrust between the two neighbors and encouraged them to network among themselves to help improve local perceptions on both sides. The Afghan Studies Center – which aims at providing a platform for the youth of the two countries to interact, exchange ideas and engage in joint cultural, academic and sports ventures. During the workshop, the participants were put through several group exercises using examples from both countries as a way to pinpoint commonalities and create better understanding between the two groups. Through such activities, the center...
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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.