Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase: May 10, 2017
Skills and Potentials of Women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the skills and potential of women and their role in the economic and social development of Pakistan. Recreational activities, skills and expertise of women in handicrafts and producing food products and women’s role in the economic development of the country were the key discussion points in the program. Moreover, the program shed light on cultural barriers faced by women, the opportunities for women in entrepreneurship and small business in KP, embroidery products, female artists and their art as well as the music concerts, different products stalls and exhibitions in Huner-e-Hawa festival in Peshawar. Ms. Zarmeena, Waheed, a Peshawar based young entrepreneur and social activist, took part as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Zarmeena said: “Women in KP have a high level of potentials and skills, but due to cultural barriers they are not able to utilize them. Government needs to provide a proper legislation in this regard to pave the way for their participation in the socio-economic development of the country.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the Huner-e-Hawa festival that was organized in Peshawar to promote entrepreneurial spirits, Pashtun culture and provided recreational activity opportunities to the general public. Three callers took part in the program. The callers urged government to organize cultural and musical events in different parts of the province for the revival of peace in the region and the increase of mutual understanding. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: May 9, 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 information technology (IT), entrepreneurship, education, health, and agriculture. The first report showcased the Digital Youths Summit that was organized in Peshawar to encourage young people towards entrepreneurship and enhance their skills. The event was attended by politicians, IT experts, business persons and students. The program accentuated the problems faced by locals in district Kohat. According to the report 75 schools will be merged in Kohat on the basis of government policy. Furthermore, the lack of free text books in government schools in Mohmand Agency was discussed, which has put students in high level of problems. The report stated that due to poverty students aren’t able to purchase books while authorities are not providing the free books issued by the government. Moreover, the program also highlighted the quota system for wheat purchase by the government from district Charsadda. Local farmers argued that this year government has decrease the purchasing quota due to which farmers have enough stock left to sale, but it is wasting because proper markets for it are missing. In concluding, the program accentuated the strike of a hospital in Dera Ismail Khan. The doctors stated that government is not facilitating them with basic equipment. Therefor they are on strike and will be, until government resolves their 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...
Clouds of Third Afghan War?
No words are enough to condemn the dastardly truck bombing in Kabul that took at least 80 lives and left hundreds wounded, some of them fatally. The huge blast shook the Afghan capital at a time when the US is still weighing options as to whether sending more troops will contain and halt the spate of violence from the Taliban’s ‘Operation Mansoori’, although the insurgents denied their involvement in the abhorred incident. The latest attack, preceded by a suicide bombing in Helmand with at least 18 casualties on May 27, underscores several bitter ground realities. Firstly, these attacks expose the fragility of the security landscape. Regardless of the Taliban denial the bombing in the Green Zone does highlight the ability of militants – whether Taliban or Daesh – to strike even in the most guarded parts of the capital. Secondly, the surge in violence and shrinking government writ raise questions about the ability of the Afghan defence forces and security agencies. In an April 8 report, the New York Times had spoken about a “widening gap between soldiers and commanders”. At the top, the paper quoted a senior official as saying, “is a class of often incompetent generals, many of them from the Communist or the civil war period who had strong political ties. The soldiers and police officers are treated as an “untouchable” class, dying at an average of close to 20 a day.” This also drew negative comments by American officials. “We hear story after story of commanders who steal the fuel, sell it to the Taliban, who take the weapons we – you – pay for and sell it to the Taliban,” John Sopko, the United States special inspector general for Afghanistan, said in a recent speech. “The irony of it is, the terrorists are at the end of our supply chain.” Thirdly, the Afghan forces reel from corruption within the ranks, and are overshadowed by the phenomenon of ghost soldiers. In July 2016, the US military reported Afghan defence strength at 319,595. But the Associated Press...
Sabawoon Showcase: May 16, 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, education, irrigation and drugs addiction. The program started with a report about the excess of tuition fees during summer vacations. Parents have raised a serious complaint about the teacher’s demand for fees while they are not performing their duties in summer vacations. Moreover, the program discussed the lack of water in Barani irrigation dams that has put residents in serious problems of water shortage. One resident stated that despite the difficulties they are facing in regard to water shortage, government is not undertaking any action. The availability of drugs in district Charsadda was also discussed in the program. Many youngsters in the district are addicted to drugs which rules out routine life for them. In a report made about this topic a respondent stated, that the dangers of drugs have destroyed the life of both youngsters and elders, while so far are no serious actions are taken by the government to control it. Furthermore, the problems faced by residents due to dirt road between Mirali and Thal areas were discussed. The devastating damages of the rout are protracting the drives for locals on daily basis. The program was concluded by accentuating the issues faced by Thalassemia patients in district Kodat due to the lack of proper treatment equipment. The report mentioned that over 1000 people are suffering from Thalassemia in district Kohat only. 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: May 4, 2017
The Role of Female Lawyers in Society The latest episode of Ranra (light) focused on the importance role of female lawyers’ in society. The main focuses of the program were the provision of justice for women, domestic violence and family disputes, inheritance law, women’s rights and the lack of awareness among women about their basic rights. Moreover, the program underscored issues faced by women in a male dominant society, problems of working women, opportunities for female lawyers in professional career, women’s participation in politics, early child and forced marriages and the significance of education for women. Ms. Sana Gulzar, a Peshawar based women’s rights activist and lawyer at Peshawar High Court, took part as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Gulzar said: “In my professional career, approximately 90 percent of the cases are about family issues, which is quite alarming. Our society greatly lacks tolerance, acceptance, and mutual understanding. These are the basic reasons for inharmonic relations in our families.” A radio report was made the part of the program. The report highlighted the problems and challenges faced by professional lawyers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). A caller took part live in the program. He urged that unless we have not given basic rights to the women in our society, a prosperous and developed society can’t prevail. 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...
CNN’s Fareed Zakaria singling out Saudi Arabia as the largest source of Wahabi-inspired Terrorism
In this video clip from CNN Fareed Zakaria is singling out Saudi Arabia as the largest source of Wahabi-inspired terrorism. Ironic indeed that Pakistan has been getting the flak for what CNN calls as the mother of evil. Also, Ironic that the US has partnered with Saudi Arabia in a big way to fight IS terrorism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CayJkedqxoY
CNN's Fareed Zakaria singling out Saudi Arabia as the largest source of Wahabi-inspired Terrorism
In this video clip from CNN Fareed Zakaria is singling out Saudi Arabia as the largest source of Wahabi-inspired terrorism. Ironic indeed that Pakistan has been getting the flak for what CNN calls as the mother of evil. Also, Ironic that the US has partnered with Saudi Arabia in a big way to fight IS terrorism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CayJkedqxoY
Sabawoon Showcase: May 3, 2017
Role of Youth in Strengthening the Rule of Law The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the role of youngsters in promoting and sustaining the rule of law in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The program showed how youth can play their role in promoting the rule of law in KP and FATA, in enhancing democratic values in the region and their importance for the social and economic development of the country. Moreover, the program highlighted the rule of law in the Pakistani context, the insufficient curricula of educational institutions regarding rule of law and civic education and the significance of responsible citizenship for a peaceful and prosperous society. Mr. Maqsood Ali, Advocate Peshawar High Court, Peshawar, and Mr. Ahsan Sardar, Trainer, British Council Pakistan, Peshawar, took part as the studio guests in the show. Mr. Ali said: “Pakistans youths constitutes over 60 percent of the population. If they are properly educated and utilized, they can play an enormous role in the development of Pakistan and we can get rid of many problems.” Mr. Sardar said: “The British Council is engaged in building the capacity of the youths in issues that are pre-requisite for social change and tries to inculcate them with the spirit of change agents in society. Such efforts should be institutionalized on government level.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report echoed the comments of youngsters about their role in promoting rule of law and its importance for a developed society. Two callers took part live in the program. They urged government to create employment opportunities for youngster to utilize their skill rather than wasting them. 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...
Why Pakistani Policy Makers Need to Embrace Social Media
Social media cannot be underrated for instantly reaching out to the broadest spectrum of people with minimal personal and financial cost. Political leaders have become conscious of its potency. They can win or loose elections, depending on their capacity to run a good social media campaign. Foreign Ministries all over the world are learning that despite the tight rope-walk, its use in diplomacy can be hugely rewarding. It amounts to “minimum government, maximum governance”. President Barak Obama was the first world leader who effectively used social media to win the Presidential candidature of the Democratic Party. The way he used services like Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram as a candidate and later as the US President, Obama was justly called the “first social-media president.” President Trump followed Obama to reach out to his supporters, instead of relying only on TV advertisements. He described social media as “a great form of communication”. Why spend millions of dollars on TV advertisements and other costly conventional methods, when you can directly communicate with millions of people online for nothing, he once said. The benefits include enhanced possibility of leveraging opportunities offered by social media to secure maximum political advantage. No doubt, obsession with immediacy and reaching out to the public warrants use of social media serious. But its impact and other effects, as public policy tools, need to be re-thought in the light of our socio-cultural milieu and political maturity (immaturity?). Our limited experience of using social media has established that while it offers benefits, its excessive use can be perilous and risky too. As recently Pakistan’s political scene was shaken with just one tweet. In case of President Trump, personal use of Twitter too has continued to create problems and confusion rather than clarity. If Trump’s presidency continues with the current practice, the method will be new, but public policy...
Sabawoon Showcase: May 2, 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, labors problems, local disputes in Peshawar, and lack of government attention to control the spread of fake medicines in Charsadda. The program shed light on the celebration of the Labor Day in Peshawar Press Club. Respondents in the reports were of the view that government has not taken any concrete step to resolve the home based workers issues and urged for proper legislation to ensure their rights in this regards. The program highlighted the Qoumi Jirga, which was held in Peshawar. This Jirga aimed to resolve the disputes of the locals and spread awareness about women’s rights and their deprivation of the very basic right of education in Pashtun society. Moreover, the program discussed the enrollment campaign undertaken in FATA. The campaign wants to enroll children in school and boost literacy in the region. One local who was heard in the report said, that government should fine the parents who aren’t allowing their children to visit schools. The program was concluded by discussing the spread of fake medicines in district Charsadda, which have caused many severe issues and the lack of governmental control and accountability of chemist. 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....
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TESTIMONIALS
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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.