Current Projects
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...
CRSS Hosts Rountable Discussion with Afghan Media Delegation
A deletion of Afghan journalists visited the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on Wednesday - August 09, 2017. Mr. Mohammad Naim Taher Qadiri - CEO of MITRA Global TV Network was the head of the delegation, other journalists included: Mr. Bashir Ansari - Head of Ariana TV in North and Head of Journalists Safety Committee, Mr. Fahim Ahmad Haqbin - Head of Lahza Radio and TV and Incharge of Afghan National Journalists Committee, Mr. Rohullag Farooq - Editor in Chief of Peerozi Newspaper, Mr. Zabiullah Fetrat - Head of National TV. Their visit was facilitated by Ministry of Information, Pakistan. Mr. Taimur Ahmed, Mr. Amin Jan from Ministry of Information, and Mr. Liaqat Pasha from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) accompanied the Afghan delegation. CRSS was represented by former IG Police Dr. Shoaib Suddle, former Ambassadors Mr. Mian Sanaullah, Muhammad Ayaz Wazir and Qazi Humayun, Beyond Boundaries Track 1.5/II Project Director Mr. Aized Ali, senior journalists Mr. Tahir Khan, Mr. Hassan Khan, Ms. Amber Shamsi and Mr. Amaad Khalique, and Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik. CRSS Executive Director Mr. Imtiaz Gul welcomed the Afghan Media delegation and told them about CRSS’ different initiatives which include Beyond Boundaries Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/II and Afghan Studies Center (ASC) in bridging the gap between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Afghan delegates were explained that the ASC was the result of CRSS's Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/11 dialogue that has been running since 2015. During this dialogue, it was felt that youth has a remarkable potential to play a constructive role in improving bilateral relations, thus the idea of providing the youth with a platform such as ASC precipitated there. The basic idea is connect the two countries through an informed discourse. After introduction of all participants, he let the floor open for discussion. Mr. Mohammad Naim Taher Qadiri on behalf of the Afghan media delegation expressed his gratitude for the generosity and...
Sabawoon Showcase: July 25, 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 health, life security, local bodies’ budget and encroachment in different areas of KP and FATA. In the first report, the issue of central jail Mingora Swat was discussed, which was destroyed in the earthquake of 2005. Since October 2005 till date, thousands of accused belonging to Swat were sent to jail at district Bunir and Lower Dir Temargara. Keeping them in these far-flung areas (other districts) creates hurdles to the police, lawyers and the families of the accused as well. Senior advocate and well known human right defender Sher Mohammad Khan, speaking as a telephonic guest insisted that the government should complete their work as soon as possible. He promised that he will raise the issue in Bar Association and draw the attention of the district courts as well. The second report was about the contaminated drinking water in Tehsil Shabqadar district Charsadda and the non-functional tube well in the area. The report mentioned that the underground water level in the area is very high and gets mixed with the sewerage water. There are five tube wells which are non-functional. The report suggested that the elected members should resolve the issue. The third report pointed out the irregularities in approval of annual budget 2017-18 of District Council Kohat. Naib Nazim Kohat Mr. Abdul Rashed took part in the show as telephonic guest and accepted the allegations. He mentioned that he will go to the court because he thinks that the approval of the budget is illegal. In the last report Mr. Mohammad Rehan mentioned the poor conditions of the road in Kurram Agency. There were sixteen calls during the show of which twelve calls were aired live. The callers took keen interest in the show and openly discussed their local issues through telephone. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber...
Sabawoon Showcase: July 24, 2017.
Role & efficiency of Local governments in KP. The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) shed light on the role and efficiency of Local government bodies in Tehsils, Towns and districts of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. Local governments are the back bone of micro development in the world. Following issues were discussed in the show: What is the basic role of the present LG system in KP? How much is the local public satisfied from the elected members of local bodies and the existing system? What amount of developmental budget they utilized successfully in previous years? District Niab Nazim, Mr. Syed Qasim Ali Shah as studio guest tried to defend the system. He claimed that they were going according to the book and the public is fully involved and satisfied with the new system. He further explained that although the system is very new and the elected members are trying their best to meet the public needs but it will require time. A radio report was made part of the program in which public voices were part of the report. They complained about the elected members and the system. Four calls were received during the show and two were aired live, the callers took keen interest in the topic and expressed their views openly. 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....
TOP STORIES
TESTIMONIALS
“
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.