Current Projects
US Backs Territorial Integrity of Pakistan and Afghanistan within International Framework
In the wake of turbulent Pak-Afghan ties and the Taliban’s refusal to acknowledge the Durand Line, the US supports the territorial sovereignty of both nations within the international framework. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday, February 21, that Washington supports the territorial integrity of Pakistan and Afghanistan within the framework of the "internationally recognised borders of the two countries". A week ago, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai, the political deputy of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had said at a ceremony commemorating the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from Afghanistan in Logar, that the supposed Durand Line would never be recognised by Afghanistan. “We have never recognized Durand and will never recognize it, today half of Afghanistan is separated and is on the other side of the Durand Line. Durand is the line which was drawn by the English on the heart of Afghans. And today our neighbouring country deports the refugees in a very cruel manner and they are being told to return to their country,” he said. The Durand Line remains a contentious issue and continues to pose a significant obstacle to cordial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Women’s Rights in Afghanistan – Regional Perspectives and Role of Islamic World Virtual Dialogue – Round II
In the commemoration of the World Day of Social Justice, The Center for Research and Security Studies hosted the second round of the virtual dialogue titled “Women’s Rights in Afghanistan – Regional Perspectives and Role of the Islamic World.” Women activists, entrepreneurs, scholars, and researchers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan provided insights into the challenges facing women in Afghanistan and discussed how Islamic countries and regional stakeholders can empower them through various initiatives. Nahid Hakimi, an entrepreneur from Afghanistan, emphasized that Afghan women's rights are being eroded, especially in the education and employment sectors. Regional partners should actively monitor the situation as it would help them devise ways for constructive engagement concerning women’s empowerment and advocacy for their rights. Nigora Khakimova, a research scholar and UNDP national consultant in Uzbekistan, said that achieving gender equality is a responsibility. She added that to help Afghan women, the international community must work hard to win the trust of Afghan women – as building trust is the first step towards helping a community. Khakimova emphasized the need for understanding inter-ethnic disparities in Afghanistan to work on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as each ethnic group has different norms and views as far as gender and women’s issues are concerned. Shokhinakhon Bakhromova, a gender expert from Uzbekistan, stressed the importance of academia in real-world contexts. She highlighted the shortage of female scholars in the field, which makes it difficult to include women in negotiations. Bakhromova recommended that policymakers carefully review policy briefs and recommendations from leading think tanks and organizations championing women’s issues to understand their perspectives and evaluate their “unavoidable” potential to contribute to negotiations and decision-making. Bakhromova suggested that open dialogue, despite not...
Taliban Allows Female Enrollment in State-Run Medical Institutes: A Policy Shift?
The Taliban’s decision to allow female enrollment in state-run medical institutes marks a potential shift in policy, raising questions about the future of women’s education in Afghanistan. This development comes amidst ongoing concerns about the broader implications of Taliban rule on women’s rights and healthcare access. The Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan has initiated the process for 12th-grade female graduates to join government medical institutes in several provinces, including Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Paktika, Logar, Khost, Badakhshan, Bamyan, and Paktia, reported state-run Bakhtar News Agency. This move follows a directive from the ministry to the Public Health Directorates of these provinces, instructing them to facilitate the enrollment of female graduates in health institutes. Despite the Taliban’s previous restrictions on girls’ education beyond the sixth grade and women’s employment in public and private sectors, this reported directive from the health ministry could offer a glimmer of hope for girls seeking to resume their education and pursue careers in the health sector. However, concerns persist about the broader implications of the Taliban’s policies on women’s rights, education, and healthcare access. Humanitarian and civil society organizations warn that the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education and employment have exacerbated the already fragile state of Afghanistan’s healthcare system, with the country failing to produce a single doctor for over a year. Concurrently, at a recent Pak-Afghan religious scholars’ huddle hosted by the Islamabad-based think tank Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), participants urged for resuming girls’ education in Afghanistan beyond grade 6, underscoring the pivotal role of women’s education in shaping Afghanistan’s future. Despite rhetoric advocating for inclusive educational policies, concrete steps toward implementation remain elusive, said a senior Pakistani...
Beyond-Boundaries-VI
INTRODUCTION This study of Pak-Afghan border communities, as proposed in the Feeder Mechanism under Beyond Boundaries VI, is a comprehensive initiative designed to address critical issues impacting border stability, and cross-border affairs including trade and communal ties, socioeconomic landscape, and gender dynamics across the region. The rationale behind this mechanism was to actively engage with local communities residing on both sides of the border, enabling them to voice their concerns and perspectives. Through in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted by field researchers, this mechanism sought to gain valuable insights into the unique experiences and challenges faced by these communities. By doing so, it aimed to tailor conflict-mitigation strategies and community-driven solutions that reflect the genuine concerns and aspirations of the border context. This feeder approach acknowledges that direct engagement with border communities is not only essential for incorporating their perspectives but also vital for enhancing the credibility, ownership, and sustainability of interventions. This, in turn, fosters mutually beneficial potential for cross-border tribal and ethnic connections to strengthen overall relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The report examines the lives of communities living across the Pak-Afghan border, namely Chaman-Spin Boldak and Torkham-Jalalabad regions, providing key insights into everyday norms, gender roles, cross-border ties, economic activities, state of peace and security, and views on governance and state services. It portrays a society marked by strict gender roles, limited access to education and employment opportunities for women, and a patriarchal system. Men primarily engage in unskilled labor and trade, while women are confined to household duties. The region's reliance on cross-border trade as the primary income source is evident, and natives express concern over the impact of recent changes and trade...
A CRITICAL REVIEW OF TALIBAN RULE AUGUST-2021 TO DECEMBER-2023
PROLOGUE - HOW IT HAPPENED The collapse of the Afghan government on August 15, 2021, marked the conclusion of two decades of war in Afghanistan, and international efforts, primarily led by the United States, to establish stable governance institutions in Afghanistan. The initial phase began in December 2001 in Bonn, Germany, where Afghan and international stakeholders devised a plan to form a new government, excluding the Taliban. This led to the Bonn Agreement, appointing Hamid Karzai as the head of the interim administration and establishing a constitution with a centralized presidential system in a country characterized by significant urban-rural divides and no history of centralized democracy. Despite U.S. aspirations for a government upholding the rule of law, human rights, and democratic principles, actual funding fell short. Corruption within the Afghan government, particularly during Karzai's presidency, was a persistent issue, hindering progress and eroding public confidence. Even as violence escalated, and the Taliban re-emerged, a surge of U.S. forces in 2009 did not effectively address governance challenges, including corruption fueled by international aid. The 2014 election of Ashraf Ghani did little to restore public trust, leading to a power-sharing arrangement with Abdullah Abdullah in a National Unity Government. However, structural weaknesses and corruption persisted, as acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2018. In February 2020, the U.S. and the Taliban signed an agreement for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, with peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government commencing in September 2020. Despite the agreement, the Taliban's failure to fulfill commitments, especially in counterterrorism and violence reduction, drew criticism. President Biden's decision to withdraw all U.S. military personnel by September 11, 2021, marked a pivotal moment. The collapse unfolded within four months, beginning in April 2021. Key contributing...
China’s Call for Sovereignty and Peace-Munich Security Conference 2024
On February 15, 2024, the 60th Munich Security Conference was held in Munich, Germany, an annual global gathering focused on defense and diplomacy. With the world undergoing accelerating changes, China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi elaborated on China’s propositions for building a community with a shared future for mankind and advocating for an equal and orderly multipolar world. On February 15, 2024, the 60th Munich Security Conference was held in Munich, southern Germany, amidst a turbulent period of geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainty that could escalate further in 2024. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres inaugurated the session. China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and government chiefs of Lebanon, Qatar and Iraq, were among the top 180 leaders attending the conference, an annual global gathering focused on defense and diplomacy. With the world undergoing accelerating changes and entering a new period of turbulence and change, Wang elaborated on China’s propositions for building a community with a shared future for mankind and advocating for an equal and orderly multipolar world at the Munich Security Conference. On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Wang stated, “No matter the changes in the international situation, China as a responsible major country will always maintain the continuity and stability of its major policies and resolutely stay a force for stability in a turbulent world.” China says it is a neutral party in the conflict but has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine. “China-Russia relations do not involve forming alliances, creating opposition, or targeting third parties,” Wang said. “They are normal relations between two...
Mutual Understanding and Collaborative Efforts Must for Stable Pakistan-Afghanistan Relationship
The Pakistan-Afghanistan Religious Scholars Conference held in Islamabad witnessed a profound exchange of ideas and perspectives over the course of two days. The discussions reflected a deep-rooted commitment to fostering mutual understanding and addressing shared challenges. It revolved around various aspects of bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and socio-economic development in the region and, the potential of religious diplomacy. There was consensus on the need for sustained efforts to address humanitarian crises, promote dialogue, and build trust between two sides. The conference was organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in collaboration with its Afghan partner Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), as part of their initiative Beyond Boundaries. The chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Dr. Qibla Ayaz emphasized the importance of religious diplomacy and the role of scholars in addressing bilateral issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Based on his experiences of participation in various delegations and dialogues aimed at promoting girls' education, both domestically and in Afghanistan, he emphasized the need to engage with key stakeholders, including religious leaders who possess the influence and understanding to contribute meaningfully to resolving bilateral issues. Dr. Ayaz stressed the importance of understanding Afghan perspectives, addressing their concerns transparently, and advocating for a people-centric approach to diplomacy. Additionally, he underscored the significance of addressing healthcare crises in Afghanistan and supporting the country's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in critical domains. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Khateeb, Maulana Muhammad Tayyab Qureshi noted that the way forward for the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan lies in both sides proactively addressing mutual concerns and taking conscious...
ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT 2023 | Pakistan
CASUALTIES OF TERRORISM & COUNTER-TERRORISM: BY REGION & YEAR In 2023, Pakistan witnessed 1533 violence-linked fatalies and 1462 injuries from as many as 789 incidents of terror attacks and counter-terror operaons. This includes nearly 1000 fatalies among civilians and security forces personnel. The overall fatalies recorded this year - including those of outlaws - mark a record 6-year high, exceeding the 2018 level and highest since 2017. .
Embracing Challenges Fostering Solutions – CRSS in 2023
A YEAR OF IMPACT AND VISION In the ever-evolving national and regional security landscape, the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) continued to be a driving force for change, critical discourse on security, counter-radicalization and dialogue on issues that have a direct bearing on Pakistan. Herewith, CRSS is proud to present its annual report 2023. Most of the activities and writings this year focused on issues such as Pakistan’s internal security dynamics, relations with, and the situation in Afghanistan, Sino-Pakistan relations, and the broader international security issues with a direct or indirect linkage with Pakistan.
China’s stance on Afghanistan-A step in the right direction
China's position on Afghanistan emphasizes the importance of respecting Afghan sovereignty, supporting peace and reconstruction, combating terrorism, and promoting regional cooperation to address the challenges facing Afghanista providing humanitarian aid (worth 200 million yuan) and diplomatic support. The Taliban, who were facing a humanitarian catastrophe and economic meltdown, welcomed Beijing’s prompt delivery of food and medical supplies. Furthermore, China has also maintained direct communication with the Taliban administration, and both sides have met on several occasions, bilaterally and internationally, to discuss plans for Afghanistan reconstruction. In December 2023, Afghanistan’s Taliban government announced that China had formally accepted its ambassador to Beijing, hailing the move as an “important chapter” in growing ties between the two neighboring countries. Moreover, China also was the first country to send a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover. China has also been strengthening relations with Afghanistan, particularly for increasing its economic footprint-- aimed at the expansion of regional economic integration and connectivity, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Taliban too regards Beijing as an important partner with economic prowess, and Beijing has proven itself to be a reliable partner with its sustained assistance. Based on the current situation, below is an overview of China's position on the Afghan issue. Respect for Afghan Sovereignty: China adheres to the principles of respecting Afghanistan's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while refraining from interference in its internal affairs. Support for Moderate Governance: China advocates for an open, inclusive, and moderate political structure in Afghanistan that respects the rights of all Afghan people, including women, children, and ethnic minorities. Commitment to Peace and Reconstruction: China is committed to assisting...
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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.