Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase: March 30, 2017
Significance of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCED) The latest episode of Ranra (light) accentuated the importance of early childhood care and education and discussed its different dimensions as well as governmental plans to improve it. Other discussion points were playgroups, kindergarten and preparatory level schooling, the family system and its effects on child care, the learning environment for students at home, development, mental growth and learning of children, ECCED’s role for the social and intellectual development of a child, new principles and methods of teaching and the need of capacity building for teachers concerning modern teaching techniques. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of civil society in improving ECCED and raising awareness for the education sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Ms. Faryal Salman, educationist and section head Army Public School, Peshawar, participated as the studio guest in the show. Ms. Faryal said: “KP government will implement the ECCED system in government schools in the academic year 2017. If implemented properly, it will greatly help to lay the foundations for subsequent growth, learning and development.” A radio report elucidated the importance of a conducive and favorable learning environment for children both at home and in schools and the initiatives of KP government in this regard. A caller in the show pointed out that behavioral and attitudinal teaching is more important than course work. He therefore felt that subjects such as attitude, culture and behavior should be included in the curriculum. 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....
Sabawoon Showcase: March 29, 2017
Role of Entrepreneurs in Creating Employment Opportunities The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) highlighted the importance of entrepreneurs in socio-economic development of Pakistan by generating employment opportunities in the country. The key discussion points included business management, creativity and innovation, role of business schools, online work opportunities, fund acquisition from financial institutions, legal requirement for starting a business in Pakistan and the skills required for entrepreneurs to kick off their businesses. Moreover, the program shed light on the achievement of Mr. Mohammad Arshad, a young entrepreneur from Peshawar, who was the studio guest in the show. Mr. Arshad said: “Entrepreneurs play an important role in the national economic development. Business schools should focus on enhancing students’ entrepreneurial spirits so that we have more entrepreneurs than job seekers in the market.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted an event that was organized in Peshawar for young entrepreneurs to present their ideas in front of investors to promote their businesses. Two callers shared their views live in the program. They felt that, due to the low employment rate in Pakistan, there is an urgent need to promote entrepreneurial initiatives in Pakistan and thus counteract unemployment. 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...
Be Ready For More Acrimony from India
The conviction to death of Kulbhushan Jadhav through a Field General Court Martial came as a surprise to the majority of Pakistanis. But not unexpected though as he, according to officials, was an extremely prized catch that had to be put through FGCM. The Indian government's attitude had stiffened immediately after the news of Kulbhushan Jadhav's arrest became public nearly a year ago. Its attempts to "isolate" and run-down Pakistan on international fora such as the BRICS summit, the G-20 summit or the Heart of Asia in December were a few striking examples of the ascendant mood in New Delhi. Rejection by Pakistan of 13 requests between 25 March 2016 and 31 March 2017 for consular access to Jadhav contributed in their own way to New Delhi's strident attitude. The warning in the Indian demarche, handed to High Commissioner Abdul Basit, (If this sentence against an Indian citizen, awarded without observing basic norms of law and justice, is carried out, the Government and people of India will regard it as a case of premeditated murder) resonates the same sentiment. In fact some prominent Indians have gone a step further; "We need to warn Pakistan, if they hang Jadhav, there will be dire consequences," Subramanian Swamy, senior BJP leader. Shekhar Gupta, a writer and anchor, was equally ballistic; if Pak execute Jadhav, an acknowledged Navy veteran, there will be consequences. This Indian government will surely retaliate, wrote Gupta, whom the Ismaili spiritual leader Agha Khan had recently snubbed for unnecessarily dragging Pakistan's name in cases of terrorism elsewhere. Such warnings do entail a question: Will Jadhav be the ultimate circuit breaker or become part of a grand bargain to prevent the Indo-Pakistan relations from a complete break-down or even armed conflict? Regardless of which way this case eventually settles down, the current moods in New Delhi and Islamabad deliver ample evidence that the hard-talk accompanied by bitter acrimony is likely to...
CHINA WATCH [April 6-10] UNITED KINGDOM (UK) INTERESTED IN THE CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC)
UK’s Minister of State for International Trade, Greg Hands has indicated the interest of his country in the multi-billion dollars project of CPEC. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved the formation of security contingent of 4,200 personnels for the protection of CPEC-related entities in the province. China and Pakistan have vowed to push forward the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. KP Chief Minster Pervez Khattak has said that his government was “geared up to take the new role effectively” under the CPEC. Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal has said that nine industrial zones were being developed under the CPEC. Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftan Ahmad Khan Sherpao has warned the federal government that if KP was not given proper share in the CPEC, the project will be of no use for Pakhtuns. UK Interested in CPEC: UK’s Minister of State for International Trade, Greg Hands has indicated the interest of his country in the multi-billion dollars project of CPEC. He said that “Britain is a country of global influence and can be an important partner for China and Pakistan in the delivery of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has the potential to build closer links between our countries.”[i] Mr. Greg expressed his views while addressing a business roundtable on “UK’s participation in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor”, organised by the Department of International Trade at Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London. Last year, Britain Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Boris Johnson had urged the “UK firms to participate in the construction” of CPEC. UK’s participation in the project can have some major outcomes. For Pakistan, it can bring investment and expertise of a highly developed economy. However, the neighbouring India will have big issue with such development as UK’s participation will seriously affect the former’s territorial claims and...
Pak-Afghan Relations Are Moving Towards Rapprochement
Ahead of the multi-nation Moscow peace initiative centred on Afghanistan, behind-the-scenes activity between Islamabad and Kabul seems to be picking up. The mid-March London meeting between Sartaj Aziz and Hanif Atmar, the Afghan National Security Advisor (NSA), seems to have set the ball rolling on two major issues that have dogged the bilateral relations. London paved the way for Afghan leaders' quiet agreement on a multi-tier border management mechanism, a Pakistani demand stone-walled by Kabul for quite some time on the pretext that "terrorists don't use regular border crossings." Secondly, thanks to the Afghan ambassador Omar Zakhilwal's proactive diplomacy, both countries may be heading towards the resumption of formal dialogue before the Moscow meeting. An unusual sense of urgency is evident from Zakhilwal's shuttle between Kabul and Islamabad. Quiet messaging by major Pakistani stakeholders also underscores the same: don't let the post-London opportunity slip away. Politically loaded circumstances, too, demand swift action for resumption of formal contacts on the way to restoration of trust and initiation of counter-terrorism cooperation based on the border-management mechanism, which foreign diplomats in Islamabad, too hail as a major step forward. Background briefings with Pakistani and foreign diplomats entail quite a clear picture. They appreciate Kabul's limitation in a politically extremely volatile situation, yet they argue that while the Afghan leadership has to be mindful of the domestic audience (opposition to any formalization of the border i.e. Durand Line), it does carry a responsibility of honoring the trilateral understanding on border management reached at London. Securing borders is the foremost responsibility of every country, diplomats concurred. Even a little cooperation in border management would possibly amount to a clear departure from Kabul's covert and overt position thus far; most of them insisted that counter-terrorism...
Ameliorating Public-Private Trust Deficit Must to Increase Tax-to-GDP Ratio: Shafqat Mahmood
Interactions between the parliamentarians, civil society, and business community members should be increased for inclusive policy making. There is a dire need to tackle the public-private trust deficit as it can help improving the tax base and tax-to-GDP ratio. The structural issues in the system of governance manifest lack of capacity to respond to the socio-economic needs which ultimately affects the relevant policy making. The structural changes are critical for sustainable development, hence the political parties should make efforts to ameliorate the crisis of governance. These were the remarks made by Mr. Shafqat Mahmood, PTI lawmaker during the public-private dialogue organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). The event was a part of Center’s endeavor – in partnership with Center for International Private Enterprise - to foster dialogue for economic reforms by convening high level policy discussions between the business community and political leadership. The series of dialogue fora aims to provide platform to the private sector to discuss with political representatives the economic issues and challenges hampering the economic growth, and solutions and framework for economic reforms. The discourse is hoped to generate critical feedback for the economic manifestos of participating political parties. Mr. Shafqat Mahmood said that PTI was constituting subject committees in the run up of 2018 elections. The dynamics of politics are such that they restrict continued thought-process on policy issues, resultantly, the sustained policy making processes suffer. The mechanisms in-place within the political parties for preparing their economic manifestoes should be inclusive and include the feedback of all the stakeholders. PTI - realizing the need for inclusive policy making - tries to engage and involve the stakeholders in such processes. While the CPEC augurs well for the future of Pakistan,...
Sabawoon Showcase: March 28, 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 clean drinking water, health and education. During the program the shortage of clean drinking water for residents in district Bannu was discussed. The report stated that people are being forced to use contaminated water from ponds due to a lack of government interest in solving the problem. Another point of discussion was the grievances of locals about the deficiencies of technical facilities such as laboratories tests in the district headquarter hospital in Shabqadar. The program concluded with a debate about the insufficient infrastructure in the Government Primary School in Charbagh, Swat. 150 students are admitted, but the school is failing to provide basic facilities to the students. The local education officer stated that there have been no funds in the current developmental budget which is why the school lacks basic facilities. Callers Response: Five callers took part in the show. The urged local government representatives to focus on local issues and work closely with the government departments on solutions. 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...
Sabawoon Showcase: March 27, 2017
Prevailing State of Health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) discussed the present status of available health facilities and issues faced by public in regard to it. The program discussed governmental health initiatives and reforms in health department, the Health Care Bill 2015, Sehat Insaf Cards Program, the lack of doctors and the obsolete basic health units in rural areas, the shortage of funds for health care in KP, the lack of public awareness about safe hygiene as well as the unavailability of ambulances. Moreover, the program also elucidated the role of health care commission in resolving these issues and the lack of governmental influence on private hospitals in KP. Mr. Muhammad Ayub, Additional Director General Health department, KP, and Mr. Zahid Merokhel, a Peshawar based journalist, took part as the studio guest in the show. Mr. Ayub said: “About 93 major development projects were included in the health care development plan in 2016-17 with a budget of 10.5 billion rupees. I am optimistic that these projects will aid a lot in resolving the public health issues.” Mr. Merokhel said: “The provision of basic health facilities is the responsibility of a government. Although KP government has taken several initiatives to counter health issues in the region there is still a dire need to improve the conditions.” A radio report was the part of the radio program. The report highlighted KP government health reforms and gave an overview of Health Care Bill 2015. Five callers took part live in the program. They demanded basic health facilities in rural areas and called on the government to provide the necessary equipment for emergency situations. 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...
CHINA WATCH [MARCH 21-28] LOCAL INDUSTRIES
One of China’s top power sector entrepreneurs has said that China’s interest in Pakistan’s energy sector was aimed at fostering sustainable development in Pakistan rather than merely gaining benefits for China. In order to ensure transparency in the multi-billion project, Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for holding joint audit of selected projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan’s ambassador to the US invited America to join the CPEC. Local Industries: One of China’s top power sector entrepreneurs, Wang Binghua, has said that China’s interest in Pakistan’s energy sector under the CPEC was aimed at fostering sustainable development in Pakistan rather than merely gaining benefits for China.[i] Mr Wang said that “We come to Pakistan not for the installation of our equipment and to gain profits. We pay more importance to improving the development of local high-end manufacturing industries so as to make the development sustainable.” Though China’s proposed $46-51 billion of investment in Pakistan under the CPEC has potential to trigger a sustainable economic development process in the country, such rosy statements cannot obviate the debate of winners and losers underpinning this arrangement. Fearing that they might suffer at the end of the day, Pakistan’s local industries have shown increasing reservations with regard to exemption of Chinese firms and products from import and sales tax.[ii] Futuristic calculations aside, China seems to have got rather favourable economic treatment under the CPEC. Audit of CPEC projects: In order to ensure transparency in the multi-billion project, Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for holding joint audit of the selected projects of the CPEC.[iii] The Auditor General of Pakistan Rana Asad Amin pointed out that such a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will enable Pakistani auditors to exchange their experiences with counterparts and would also pave the way for conducting joint...
Sabawoon Showcase: March 21, 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, the unavailability of safe drinking water, power shortage and effects of the damaged irrigation system on farming. The program reviewed the celebration of World Water Day in KP and its importance in curbing the issues related to the shortage of clean drinking water throughout Pakistan. In addition, the problems of the local people in the district of Charsadda were illuminated. The deficient irrigation system for agricultural land has a negative impact on the agricultural production of the region. According to a report, 80% of households in Charsadda depend on income from agriculture. Moreover, the issues faced by locals due to the electricity load shedding were discussed in detail. Another point of discussion was the unavailability of basic health facilities for residents of the Frontier Regions of Bannu. Although health threats are constantly increasing, the authorities in charge do not act in response. The program concluded with emphasizing a literary and musical event in Mohmand Agency, which was organized to support the resumption of the peace process in the region. Callers Response: Four callers shared their views live in the program. They stressed on the role of government agencies in resolving public issues and urged public representatives to resolve the issues faced by locals. 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...
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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.