Current Projects

Pakistan’s Anti-Smuggling Drive and Afghan Migrant Situation: Complex Repercussions Ahead

In its battle against illicit trade and handling of Afghan migrants, Pakistan faces potential socio-political tensions that test both internal harmony and international relations. In its resolute efforts to curtail illegal trade practices, Pakistan is zeroing in on one of its most pervasive issues: smuggling. Preparing to arrest over 300 individuals associated with the clandestine gold business, the authorities have recently been drawing on extensive investigative work. This includes both the collection of residential details of those suspected and the analysis of phone records from key businessmen in the industry. But gold smuggling is just a part of a broader puzzle. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been on the front lines, carrying out a staggering 172 raids across the country. These aggressive efforts have culminated in the apprehension of 239 suspects, and the initiation of 177 legal cases against those involved. These operations by FIA haven't just been about making arrests; many establishments, including shops and buildings associated with illegal activities, have been sealed. The seizures from these raids have been substantial: goods, including domestic and foreign currency totaling an impressive 671.6 million rupees, were confiscated. Additionally, numerous receipts and mobile phones, which could serve as evidence, were retrieved from those arrested. The main charge against these individuals revolves around their participation in unauthorized currency exchange businesses. There's another layer of concern in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, particularly related to its property market. Before diving into anti-terrorism operations, security agencies are sharpening their attention on unregistered property dealers. These dealers have been bypassing essential standards, notably in Peshawar where the Tenancy Act is largely ignored. A disconcerting 95% non-compliance rate with the Tenancy Act signals a significant oversight. This lax regulation has...

A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Vision and Actions

China advocates for unity and mutual growth in a shifting world order, echoing President Xi Jinping's vision for shared prosperity. In the face of a rapidly changing global landscape, China stands firm in its commitment to constructing a cohesive global community with a shared future. President Xi Jinping, a decade ago, sowed the seeds of this grand vision, positioning it as an answer to rising global uncertainties. This concept was a clarion call for nations to rally together, prioritize sustainable development, and weave collective dreams of a flourishing tomorrow. China's Comprehensive Blueprint for Global Harmony China has meticulously designed its vision on four primary pillars, ensuring it addresses the multifaceted challenges the world faces: New International Relations: Central to China's perspective is the idea of equality and mutual respect among nations. Rather than a world mired in confrontations, China envisions one where dialogues are the norm. The emphasis is on forging global partnerships built on trust, transcending the historically prevalent power-driven alliances. Global Governance Reform: A reformed global governance structure is at the heart of China's aspirations. The vision pivots towards collective problem-solving, urging nations to step away from the narrow corridors of unilateralism. It is an ardent call for a fairer international order where global decisions emerge from collaborative deliberations rather than being dictated by a select few. Civilization Exchange: The world's diversity is its strength, and China cherishes this. Through its proposals, it encourages nations to venture into cultural exchanges, fostering an environment where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated. Better World Vision: This is a holistic perspective, encapsulating several aspirations: peace achieved through dialogue, prosperity anchored in collaboration, and environmental rejuvenation through sustainable practices. From Vision to Reality: China's...

CPEC’s Importance for Balochistan

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan and the pinnacle of the China-Pakistan Economic Initiative (CPEC), a flagship initiative of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) led by China. The natural resources of Balochistan and its strategic location did not help to alleviate the province’s poverty.  However, CPEC offers the province some optimism because it would help it capitalize on its untapped natural riches, leading to growth, wealth and regional connectivity. Balochistan is the pinnacle of the China-Pakistan Economic Initiative (CPEC), a flagship initiative of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) led by China. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of territory but the smallest in terms of population.  The natural resources of Balochistan and its strategic location did not help to alleviate the province’s poverty.  However, CPEC, on the other hand, offers the province some optimism because it would help it capitalize on its untapped natural riches, leading to growth and wealth. Balochistan is blessed with abundant potential to capitalize on its natural resources, blue economy, and agricultural and livestock sectors building Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC will pave the way for prosperity and regional connectivity. Agriculture: Balochistan is termed “The fruit basket of Pakistan”. Ironically, the province does not contribute to the nation’s date export.  They will be encouraged to increase fruit output by modernizing the agricultural industry, providing subsidies to the farmers, and resolving water concerns.  They would be able to export crops to other countries thanks to CPEC. Almost 75% of the province’s population, who depend on agriculture, lives in rural areas. 62% of the total farm income comes from the crops. 67% of the labor force in the province is employed in the agricultural sector. The economies of Jafarabad, Naseerabad, Usta Mohammed, and Dera Murad Jamali are centered on agriculture. Livestock: Balochistan’s economy...

Security Forces’ Losses Hit 8-Year High in First 9 Months of 2023, Q3 Records 57% Surge in Violence: CRSS Security Report

“Pakistan’s security forces lost at least 386 personnel, 36% of all fatalities - including 137 army and 208 police personnel - in the first 9 months of 2023, marking an eight-year high as the country continues to battle proxy terrorism, largely in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. With 1087 violence-related fatalities recorded so far during the year, the outlaws suffered 368 (34%), followed by civilians with 333 (31%) fatalities”, CRSS Security Report - Q3 2023. Over the past five years, there has been a consistent and alarming surge in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan provinces. Equally greater concern is the collective percentage of violence-related fatalities recorded in these two provinces which indicates a disturbing upward trend over the last five years; together, they suffered 72% of all fatalities in 2019, and this unsetting figure surged to a staggering 92% in the first 9 months of 2023.As for the third quarter of 2023, some 445 people lost their lives and 440 suffered injuries from as many as 190 terror attacks and counter-terror operations. KP and Balochistan provinces were the primary centers of violence, accounting for nearly 94% of all fatalities and 89% of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) recorded during this period.The last three months; Q3 2023, also recorded an alarming surge in violence by about 57%, with the overall number of fatalities increasing from 284 in Q2 to 445 in Q3, 2023. This includes a staggering 131% uptick recorded in Balochistan and 28% in KP. Punjab witnessed a substantial 67% decrease in violence compared to the last quarter, while Sindh saw a 283% rise in violence though the number of fatalities was very low (23). Nearly 79% of all violence-related casualties recorded in Q3, 2023 resulted from terrorism; where 141 terrorist attacks caused 318 fatalities and 381 injuries of civilians and security personnel. On the other hand, the security operations were as low as 49...

Happy Independence Day China

We wish long-time friend China, its leaders and citizens a very Happy National Independence Day. To mark the day, President Xi Jinping attended an event at Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Thursday (Sept 28) with senior officials of China's Communist Party in attendance. The National Day is celebrated on Oct 1 but this year the President and the party decided to hold the grand event on September 28 . Hundreds of party, government and military as well as a number of ambassadors were present on the occasion. During his address to the gathering, the President Xi reiterated his desire for unification with Taiwan. Xi said China needs to deepen integration with Taiwan by facilitating the peaceful development of the cross-strait relationship while abiding by the "one-China principle." He said “no forces can prevent China from realizing its complete unification “ which he called a necessity of the flow of the times and history. Xi indicated that the government will support people who are concerned about their lives amid China's slowing economic recovery. He also urged people to unite further toward his goals of building a great country and advancing the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

A Global Community of Shared Future: China’s Vision and Actions

China advocates for unity and mutual growth in a shifting world order, echoing President Xi Jinping’s vision for shared prosperity. In the face of a rapidly changing global landscape, China stands firm in its commitment to constructing a cohesive global community with a shared future. President Xi Jinping, a decade ago, sowed the seeds of this grand vision, positioning it as an answer to rising global uncertainties. This concept was a clarion call for nations to rally together, prioritize sustainable development, and weave collective dreams of a flourishing tomorrow. China’s Comprehensive Blueprint for Global Harmony China has meticulously designed its vision on four primary pillars, ensuring it addresses the multifaceted challenges the world faces: New International Relations: Central to China’s perspective is the idea of equality and mutual respect among nations. Rather than a world mired in confrontations, China envisions one where dialogues are the norm. The emphasis is on forging global partnerships built on trust, transcending the historically prevalent power-driven alliances. Global Governance Reform: A reformed global governance structure is at the heart of China’s aspirations. The vision pivots towards collective problem-solving, urging nations to step away from the narrow corridors of unilateralism. It is an ardent call for a fairer international order where global decisions emerge from collaborative deliberations rather than being dictated by a select few. Civilization Exchange: The world’s diversity is its strength, and China cherishes this. Through its proposals, it encourages nations to venture into cultural exchanges, fostering an environment where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated. Better World Vision: This is a holistic perspective, encapsulating several aspirations: peace achieved through dialogue, prosperity anchored in collaboration, and environmental rejuvenation through sustainable practices. From Vision to Reality: China’s...

Work on CPEC continues, Propaganda Baseless

China and Pakistan are committed to expanding the scope of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to include new areas of cooperation, such as water resources management, climate change and tourism. These areas were already part of the CPEC long-term Plan and both sides agreed during the deliberations before the 11th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to work out the detailed contours of these projects in upcoming sessions of respective Joint Working Groups (JWGs). The JWGs are technical bodies comprising experts from both sides responsible for conceiving and evaluating project proposals in their respective areas. This is a standard procedure for CPEC projects, and it ensures that all proposals are carefully considered and that they meet the goals and objectives of the CPEC Long-Term Plan. The story published in this regard was fabricated, factually incorrect and had misleading information. According to the Planning Ministry, the CPEC projects have been implemented and are ongoing in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the coastal areas. More projects are planned in these areas in the future. The Planning Ministry further added that China and Pakistan have a time-tested friendship, and CPEC has greatly enhanced Pakistan’s energy, logistical, and physical infrastructure capabilities. The benefits of CPEC are widely distributed throughout Pakistan. Both sides are fully resolved to harness the investments in infrastructure for economic growth, particularly in export-oriented industries, agriculture productivity, and natural resource management, all while enhancing partnership in addressing the concerns of climate change and sustainable development.  

What Lies behind the Iron Brotherhood – Pakistan-China Relations

We are pleased to announce the book "What Lies behind the Iron Brotherhood,"-Pakistan-China Relations (by Imtiaz Gul), has been published in Urdu. The book illustrates China and Pakistan's close and longstanding friendship, considered significant in international politics and diplomacy. Drawing from his own experiences and interactions, the author presents a personal and insightful view on this relationship. The authors multiple visits to China and his participation in high-level seminars and conferences have provided him with valuable insights into China's internal dynamics and its evolving global role. The book also delves into the historical context of the relationship, as it highlights the exceptionality and quality of cooperative relations between Pakistan and China, which have remained constant and strong over more than six decades in a changing political and economic regional and global environment.  It was also published on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It not only stresses on the chronological events but also on the fundamental factors that have created this relationship i.e. ideology, economics, politics, and geo-strategy. In addition, the book attempts to underline China's approach to international relations, emphasizing peaceful coexistence and solid friendships. Finally, it mentions the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2021, a significant milestone in China's history. It's noteworthy that China has made remarkable progress over the past century, including the elimination of extreme poverty. Overall, this book seems to provide a multifaceted perspective on the China-Pakistan relationship and China's broader journey on the global stage, a must read for international relations enthusiast. DOWNLOAD PDF

Rethinking Pakistan’s Economy: Putting the House in Order

There are structural and inherent fault lines within Pakistan’s economy. The country is undergoing a prolonged recession and experiencing its 3rd consecutive year of low GDP growth. Pakistan is labeled as a UN debt-stressed country – ranked 3rd among 40 such countries – where a major chunk of its budget goes towards paying interest. Pakistan’s GDP to investment ratio hasn’t improved and its reliance on short-term, high-interest loans perpetuates the economic crisis. Economic problems have been historically viewed and resolved through a geopolitical lens. This is now changing. A silver lining is that reaching this stage might drive a more genuine effort to address economic issues without the influence of geopolitics. These remarks were made by the former Minister of State and Chairman of Pakistan’s Board of Investment, Mr. Haroon Sharif, at the launch of the research report, Rethinking Pakistan’s Economy: Putting the House in Order, published by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). Mr. Sharif, who worked as the Regional Advisor to the World Bank Group for six years to promote Economic Cooperation in South and Central Asia, emphasized the need for value-adding investments and a shift towards a knowledge-based economy. He also highlighted the importance of higher profit margins and stopping economic leakages and recommended shifting the focus from selling mere dreams to creating actual value. “It’s essential to address the foundational economic issues rather than just applying short-term fixes”, he stressed. Prof. Dr. Aliya Hashmi Khan, Professor of Economics (Retired), former Director School of Economics, and former Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, also spoke at the report launch. She brought attention to gender budgeting as an issue that has yet not caught attention in Pakistan. Gender disparities have been identified in the country by various monitoring bodies dedicated to gender parity. Addressing these gaps does not...

Collective Approach Must to Strengthen Regional Stability and Economic Connectivity

Only through a collective approach and joint strategy, can Pakistan and Afghanistan eliminate the threats jeopardizing regional security and foster economic cooperation and connectivity. In the interest of trade and people-to-people relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as the region at large, the socio-economic life should be insulated from political disputes. While the informal actors of diplomacy may not have the mandate to solve the problems of bilateral or regional concern, they can still generate actionable recommendations and develop joint proposals necessary to inform the policy actors inside the formal channels of diplomacy and reach a solution. The issue of Afghan girls' education must not be left to chance but conscious efforts to change the status quo. This was emphasized by the participants of the 2nd Pakistan Afghanistan Civil Society Conference on Exploring Approaches for Regional Peace and Stability, organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in collaboration with its Afghan partner Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP). The dialogue brought together prominent civil society stakeholders from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to discuss pressing issues and potential approaches oriented towards solutions. Despite ongoing border closures, the dialogue demonstrated a commitment to cooperation and moving in the right direction. Participants emphasized the importance of addressing security threats posed by groups like Al-Qaeda, TTP, and IS to the entire region. They stressed the need for a joint strategy - with regional approach at its core - to counter these proxy terrorist organizations. While acknowledging the tension in Chitral as a serious security challenge, the forum recognized the need to understand the mentalities of these extremist groups to be able to cope with them and encouraged diplomatic engagement to resolve issues, instead of media allegations and blame game. There was consensus on...

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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.

Soniya Shams

Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar