Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase: August 4, 2017
Importance of friendship, gatherings and social relations with each others. The latest episode of Taroon (Bond) shed light on the importance of friendship, social gatherings and its impact on the behaviors. Good friends are the valuable gift of God, relationships between friends is stronger than blood relationships. Friends try to make each other happy, their presence makes life joyful. The program shed light on the importance of good relations and emphasized on finding and sparing time for such positive activities. This was a like a road show, recorded in a Fishing Hut, at a picnic spot in Chakdara, district Dir. More than twenty college friends belonging to different areas of KP and FATA, were there to meet each other after an absence of 25 years after leaving college. They expressed love and respect for each other and requested the youth of today to find time for real friendships instead of connectivity through social media. They also requested the visitors to ensure that the areas visited by them across Pakistan should be kept clean. 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 3, 2017
Unlawful Speed Breakers and Metal Spike Strips The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the unlawful speed breakers and metal spike strips and the manner in which the public and transporters are facing problems due to it. Speed breakers are made to reduce over speeding, avoid accidents, mostly people in the region don’t care about the traffic rules. There are laws which are not implemented, public have constructed unlawful speed breakers which is causing damage to vehicles. The ones carrying patients are facing problems, no check and balance is seen from the side of administration. Speed breakers should be build according to the standards (SOPs). Moreover, the program highlighted the role of public in obeying traffic rules and avoid over speeding on busy roads. Mr. Noor Muhammad, President Mutahida Transport Workers Federation, Peshawar, took part as a studio guest in the show. Mr. Muhammad stated: “We are the citizens of this country and are supposed to obey state’s laws and not to create problems for others. Similarly passengers should not tease drivers while driving, by arguing with them on petty issues and should not force them to pick and drop on wrong sides.” A radio report was made part of the radio program. The report highlighted the problems of public due to speed breakers. Two listeners took part in the program through live calls. They praised the show on highlighting public issues. 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...
From Foreign Fighters to Returnees: The Challenges of Rehabilitation and Reintegration Policies
More than 40,000 fighters from 120 countries are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq since 2011 (Institute for Economics and Peace 2016 Institute for Economics and Peace 2016, Global Terrorism Index 2016: Measuring and Understanding the Impact of Terrorism, Sydney: IEP. [Google Scholar]). While the notion of foreign fighters joining extremist groups is problematic, it is not new. However, the sheer volume of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) provides reason to be concerned. Actual and perceived lack of inclusion in Western communities and other pull and push factors have led to a tremendous growth of the FTF phenomenon today. These factors have been the subject of many studies as well as approaches designed to address the problem. Overwhelmingly, the response under the counter-terrorism banner has favoured punishing and ostracizing the offenders, rather than addressing the causes of their alienation and ultimately their exodus. Faced with this bleak prospect, those FTFs wishing to return may succumb to the temptations willingly or through coercion to create havoc elsewhere, thus further perpetuating and expanding violent extremism. Effective strategies responding to returnees can only be devised with a clear understanding of the multiple dynamics at play. In the 1980s and 1990s, foreign fighters from Arab countries, the US, and European nations flocked to ongoing conflicts in Bosnia and Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban attracted close to 20,000 FTFs over a period of 12 years (1980–1992). The Islamic State (IS) has been known to command more than that number and relies heavily on its promotion of the foreign fighter, both as a security threat and as a recruiting ploy. While a range of extremist organisations attract foreign fighters, for the purpose of this paper the group under examination is solely IS and all references to foreign fighters and returnees are reflective of that. Furthermore, the term ‘foreign fighters’ denotes a state-centric definition and...
Sabawoon Showcase: August 2, 2017
Traditional Games and Festivals The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the importance and revival of traditional games and festivals for bringing peace in the region. Importance of traditional games and festivals is something the youngsters cannot comprehend, due to their alienation from the culture. Internet and indoor games have taken their place, cultural festivals which were a source of promoting tradition also faded away. It is the responsibility of the youngsters and elders to play a role in promoting and bringing these games and festivals back, in order to maintain and sustain peace. Moreover, the program shed light on the role of Directorate of Culture and Tourism Corporation which is taking initiatives for arranging such events. Mr. Khaista Rehman, Journalist, writer and member of a theater group, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Mr. Rehman said: “A person either stands firm on either belief or culture. Youth plays the role of the backbone in every activity. No money is required to keep the culture alive although resources are lacking. However, if our aim is clear, resources will be arranged automatically. Culture would definitely be promoted, if organizations like CRSS continue making the effort.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the recent event of Shandor Polo Festival in Chitral. Two listeners took part in the program. The listeners stated that youngsters should learn about their culture from elders. 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: July 31, 2017
Overview on Minority rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the present situation of Minority rights and their living standard in the province. The key points of discussion in the show were: Minorities are full citizens of Pakistan, constitutionally they have all the rights like other citizens, they have their members in National and Provincial assemblies, but they still face a lot of problems living in Peshawar KP. Jatendar Singh, a youth activist and member of Sikh community, belongs to Peshawar Cantt and was the studio guest in the show. He demanded a community centre and a minority school in Jogan Sha area of Peshawar Cantt, where more than 500 minority members of Sikh community are living for the last eighty years. He further asked for an open election, for the minority members instead of selection on reserve seats. He said that the selected members of other sects, refer them to their own community elders so that the problem is resolved within the community, instead of proactively solving the issues as per the law. The report was made part of the show, consisting of details and voices of the minority of KP. There were three calls in 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 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: July 27, 2017
Importance of Scholarships for Needy and Talented Children The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the importance of scholarships and monthly stipend for needy, talented and orphan students. Students of KP and FATA are talented but they lack proper guidance, many students stop education due to financial issues, some have no access to higher education, mostly terrorism hit areas have orphaned children who have lost their parents and have no means of living, private donors also offer scholarship to the needy children. The program highlighted the role of government that it should offer more and more scholarships for the needy children. Shahzad Khan, Student and volunteer, and Umair Khan Student and volunteer took part as studio guests in the show. Mr. Khan said: “I would just say everything is possible, but we just need courage and effort, students should focus on education. Education makes a nation and without it we cannot be a civilized nation.” Mr. Umair Khan said: “Talent and hard work never goes unrewarded. During summer vacations or after examination, students have a lot of time to prepare themselves for different tests. They can also appear in tests for getting foreign scholarships. They can apply for different academic courses and coaching classes to improve their skills.” A radio report was made the part of the radio program. The report highlighted the need of scholarships and stipends for eligible children and report also contained the comments of a young boy who was awarded scholarship and is now getting free education. Five listeners took part in the program. They said that the government must keep a check and balance on the government school teachers. 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...
Whole-of-Government Approach Needed
Beijing has literally pulled Pakistan out of a generally hostile international environment through the CPEC. Recent interviews of President Trump’s National Security Adviser HR McMaster sound like alarm bells for Pakistan. While talking of an Afghanistan strategy packaged in a regional collaboration context, McMaster resonated a White House desire for a ‘change in behaviour.’ And this desire singles out Pakistan. “This is Pakistan in particular that we want to really see a change in — and a reduction of their support for these groups,” he said. “I mean, this is — of course, you know, a very paradoxical situation, right, where Pakistan is taking great losses.” “They have fought very hard against these groups,” McMaster argued, “but they’ve done so really only selectively.” During her recent visit to Islamabad, the US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Ms Alice Wells conveyed more or less the same message, once gain resonating expectations in Washington that Pakistan needed to change as a peace enabler. The crux of her official and unofficial meetings was hardly different from that of McMaster’s. That is why a number of analysts and ‘unnamed officials’ are cautioning Pakistan of an impending US policy on Afghanistan which will likely hit Pakistan it more than ever before. Chinese officials sound pleased with the special security division for protection of CPEC projects in Balochistan, but they remain wary of slow response to other critical issues Beyond doubt, this thinking reflects the conflation of the Indo-American-Afghan views on Pakistan. Nothing new indeed. Although politically embattled, Pakistan requires a lot of coordinated steps with courage and confidence to counter and turn around the negative international narrative on it. Most outsiders overlook the internal confidence and indirect diplomatic strength that the Chinese strategic embrace has lent to Pakistan through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Beijing has literally pulled...
Afghanistan’s shifting sands and the US
The latest development on Afghanistan is that President Donald Trump is looking at all possible options for the war-torn country. The shifting complex ground realities have effectively eroded the innate utility of each and every option the maverick leader had in mind in the initial days of his Presidency. Now he is unable to select one. He does not find any option good enough to advance broader US strategic objectives in the neighbourhood of two rising powers; China and Russia. Since the goal post has changed and it is not limited to Afghanistan alone, the National Security Team, specifically tasked to craft a new strategy, is still fumbling for a panacea. The burgeoning rift within the White House and between Congress and the administration has further complicated its job. The team was scheduled to announce the new strategy in June but the deadline was later shifted to July and now to September. The delay is understandable. The emergence of Taliban’s nexus with Russia, Iran and expanding ties with China have raised the spectre that the second round of cold war with three rivals could start in Afghanistan. This alarming possibility, albeit remote, requires a departure from the past tactical moves on the part of American strategists. In this background one can appreciate the Manila statement of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that Donald Trump has raised “ … some very, very pointed questions, … good questions”. He further claimed that “we want to give him good, thorough answers and good, thorough analysis to go with that, a very clear-eyed view, a very realistic view of what the future is likely to look like”. Nevertheless, not only in the region but also within the US, the delay has bred disappointment and thrown up a new set of questions raising doubts whether the US president is really interested in Afghanistan or just focused on something big like action against North Korea and Iran. Senator John McCain, who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently...
Sabawoon Showcase: July 26, 2017
Benefits and Impact of Tourism on Economy The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the importance and benefits of tourism and its impact on the economy and society. Following points were discussed in the show: Tourism role in the growth of economy, seasons of tourism, benefits of tourism for tourists, benefits of tourism for host destinations, effects of tourism on mental and physical health, promotion of culture and local products through tourism. Moreover, the program shed light on the importance and role of the tourism department in KP and how private tour companies are being promoted. Mr. Asim Ahmad Khan, Student and Owner of AJ Event Elements and Mr. Jawad Afsar Khattak, Student and GM of AJ Event Elements took part as studio guests in the show. Mr. Khattak said: “Due to security concerns, most of the people are reluctant to visit these areas. There are no security issues whatsoever. Tourists can enjoy themselves and regional people can earn a living through it.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the importance of tourism and contained the comments of public regarding tourism. Two listeners took part in the program. The listeners appreciated the show and urged the government to speed up the development work in northern areas so that people can visit these areas more frequently. 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....
Pak-Afghan Roundtable Calls for Economic Cooperation and People-To-People Contact
Afghan and Pakistani participants at a roundtable talk in Islamabad on Wednesday underscored the need for enhanced economic cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as people-to-people debate to bridge the trust gap. Retired ambassadors, officials and media persons also suggested that the multi-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be expanded to Afghanistan and that bitter past should give way to a collaborative conversation on economic and social sector cooperation. The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and the Afghan Studies Center hosted a deletion of the Afghan media managers and journalists, who had discussions with Pakistani participants on ways how to bring the people closer. Important aspect of the Afghan visit was that all the participants belonged to northern Afghanistan … means non-Pashtun. The visit organized by the Pakistani embassy to enable the Afghans interact with all segments of the society to share their thoughts about the perception about Pakistan in Afghanistan and to listen to Pakistanis, who have own concerns about developments in the war-shattered country. Mohammad Naim Taher Qadiri informed the delegates that there has been no single protest in Northern Afghanistan against Pakistan as they intend to focus on friendly relations more with all neighbors for long term peace and development Qadri passed on the greetings of Governor Noor for Pakistan and told Pakistani delegates that Governor Noor believes that Afghanistan needs Pakistan, and without it Afghanistan can go nowhere. He acknowledged the positive engagements between Pakistan and Afghanistan every now and then, but noted that what is missing is the engagement between two people to sustain the peace-building efforts in improving relations. “What is positive here that there is a chance for betterment,” he added. Qadiri then commented on how Afghanistan has made big strides 9/11 afterwards. He informed the delegates that over 60,000 students...
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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.