Current Projects
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...
Peacebuilding Needs Public-Police Partnership: Additional IGP Investigation, KP
Both Police and public are equally responsible for peace and security in the society. The KP police reforms are unprecedented and historic. KP police has introduced several significant police reforms in the recent years which have been institutionalized through KP Police Act 2017. The reforms are aimed at improving the public services of police and are mutually beneficial for both police and the communities. While the police is massively reforming itself, the unnecessary criticism should be avoided and the organization should not be criticized for the faults of individuals. These were the remarks made by Dr. Ishtiaq Marwat, Additional IGP Investigation, during the closing ceremony of Ulasi Police project. Mr. Asad Qaiser, Speaker KP Assembly and Mr. Arif Yousaf, Advisor to CM, KP on Legal Affairs also spoke during the event. The project “Ulasi Police” was an awareness and advocacy campaign undertaken by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) – as part of USAID Small Grants and Ambassadors’ Fund Program – to strengthen the rule of law in KP province by promoting and disseminating the significant police reforms aimed at incorporating local communities’ policing needs and international human rights standards. The endeavor aims to tackle the trust deficit between the public and police, help KP police become an accountable and community-focused police force. Dr. Ishtiaq Marwat said that as part of the ongoing reforms, the behavioral and attitudinal issue of the lower rank police officials was under active consideration and being addressed through several capacity building initiatives. The culture of police in KP is traditionally different than other provinces, it’s much friendlier having good relations with the public. He said that the interventions like Ulasi Police should also be extended to the southern parts of the province. Mr. Arif Yousaf said that the KP police reforms also reflect the vision of provincial government to strengthen the institutions...
Sabawoon Showcase: March 20, 2017
Census and the Role of Provincial Government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and council) discussed the ongoing census in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the support for the census team provided by provincial government. During the program the work of census teams in collecting data and their security situation as well as the support of the provincial government and law enforcement agencies were discussed. Furthermore, the program shed light on the census commission and the lack of female members in the teams. Moreover, the progress made by the district administration, the role of local government representatives in the process and public complaints along with a redressal mechanism were deliberated. The program also aimed to sensitize listeners about the importance of census and the necessity for the public to support the teams in the best way possible during the whole process to ensure proper counting and data collection. Mr. Jamil Mohmand, a Peshawar based journalist, took part as the studio guest in the show. Mr. Mohmand said: “Census plays an indispensable role in the development of a country. It is conducted to utilize the resources available according to the population of a region. That’s why we must support the cause as best as possible. It serves the improvement of the whole nation.” A radio report was included in the program that shared the statistics and progress of the census teams in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Three callers took part live in the program. They called on the district governments to allocate funds for the support of the census. 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...
Walk the talk
Many of us usually criticise the ruling elite for lacking a vision that establishes the “Rule of Law”. Against all these reservations, the premier’s address marked a clear break from the undesirable — past and present — politics of expedience. He called himself the “ prime minister of all religious communities,” while quoting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who believed, “If a place of worship of a non-Muslim is damaged in an Islamic country, Islamic government... I will fight their case myself on the Day of Judgment.” In a groundbreaking attempt to call out Islamic supremacy, he centred on the Article 25 (Equal Citizenry rights), “God will not ask a ruler what he did for followers of a certain religion. He will ask people such as me: what did we do for God’s creation?” His most unambiguous words drew on the Articles 20 to 22, which guarantee every citizen the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion; and every religious denomination and sect the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions. “No matter what religion or beliefs you follow, or what part of the country you belong to, you must be provided equal access to progress and development,” he added. Taking a dig at those involved in forced conversions of Hindu and Christian girls, Sharif said, “Forced conversions are considered a criminal practice according to our religious teachings.” The unusually bold message caused considerable unease among the clerics. Sunni Ittehad Council Secretary, Allama Ashraf Jalali of the Pakistan Ahle Sunnah waJama’ah group was particularly vocal amongst those in opposition and went to the extent of alleging that Sharif had committed blasphemy. “The prime minister said such anti-Islam and blasphemous words that the Earth should have exploded,” he claimed, further adding that Sharif had “violated his oath, ideology of Pakistan, The Quran and Sunnah of Prophet. His speech is a dangerous attack on Islam.” In a video making rounds on social media, he...
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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.