Current Projects
CRSS China Watch – March 22, 2016
On March 7, 2016, a meeting was held to brief on the alignment of the Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan part of the western route. The alignment of a 285-kilometre long portion of the western route of the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) was proposed in the meeting. The route starts from Hakla near Tarnol on M-1 (Motorway) and culminates in Yarak, Dera Ismail Khan. This suggestion of the alignment of the western route has wiped out the controversial debate against the CPEC. [1] The Pak-China Business Forum 2016 commenced on March 19, 2016 - held at the Lahore Expo Center - aims to increase bilateral trade between the two countries. The forum consists of stalls of several Chinese companies from different sectors. The Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) also had a stall there which acted as the facilitator for the various Chinese companies. [2] While visiting the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Head of the delegation, Communist Party Division Secretary General of Xijiang region, Huang Zhigang asserted that China is interested in the economic development of Pakistan by exploring the possibility of joint ventures and investments as Pakistan had a good potential to become a strong economy.[3] In a meeting of Parliamentary Committee on the (CPEC) with Senator Mushahid Hussain in the chair at Parliament House, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K.P) proposed 29 hydel power projects (3,902 MW) at an estimated cost of $12 billion to be included in the (CPEC).[4] The 3rd day of Pakistan-China Business Forum 2016 conducted around 5000 business to business meetings. This business forum aimed to discover mutually agreed approaches that could lead both the countries towards the increasing rate of export-import. [5] [1]http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/106874-Alignment-of-285-km-portion-of-CPEC-proposed [2]http://nation.com.pk/business/20-Mar-2016/newsbrief [3]http://tribune.com.pk/story/1067791/collaboration-chinese-team-shows-interest-in-joint-ventures/...
Sabawoon Showcase: Beautician Training Courses and their Business Prospects
March 17,2016, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the beautician courses and their business prospects.The discussion points were the beautician courses offered in Peshawar, accessibility for females to study these courses, opportunities for women to set upbeauty parlors, and government schemes to support beauticians’ business in the region. Moreover, the program also highlighted the medical perspectives of the field, family support and cultural barriers for women in pursuing their business. The program was aired under the theme of “Da IlamRanra” (light of knowledge), on Thursday. Two expert beauticians, Ms. Aneela Inam and Ms. Nousheen Chamman, were the studio guests and skin specialist, Dr. Rahim Khan, took part via telephone. The radio report focused on beauty and makeup as a specialized field of study, underlined its importance for females and the growing trends of the makeup among women. This trend has boosted the beauty parlor business in the region. Ms. Mishi Khan, a beauty parlor owner,said: This field has big scope. Many women have done beautician courses and this business is on the rise. Those who cannot afford to come here can do it at home. All they need is a good course to benefit from. Ms. Omaima Mustafa, a resident of Rahat Abad Peshawar, said: Education is must for such skilled women. Women should take male members of their family into confidence, which will then make things easier for them. Family support is a must, along with proper training. In the modern era, nothing is possible without training. Training and experience is required in every field, she said. Ms. Sana, a local student, said: It is the age of modern technology and there is increased competition everywhere; everyone wants to be ahead of others. There is a growing trend where every women wants to visit a beauty parlor. There are trained people at beauty parlors with many facilities. In fact, most...
Sabawoon Showcase: Significance of Local Government (LG) Representatives and their problems
March 10, 2016, Peshawar:The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the importance of the LG representatives in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and the issues faced by them i.e the expectations of the public, funds allocation, their effective utilization and lack of power disseminations for them. Furthermore, the program highlighted the issues of female councilors, LG representatives’ strikes against KP government, bureaucratic hurdles, performance of local committees and planning and legislation hurdles for them. The program, under the theme of ‘Jarga Marraka’ (debate and council), was aired on Thursday. Mr. Rehman Afzal, District Member, Peshawar, Mr. Asad Iqbal, Youth Councilor, Peshawar, and Ms. Assia Khattak, Female Councilor, Peshawar, were the guests. The radio report - which was aired a part of the program - accentuated the concerns of LG representatives and a social activist about the rules of business and the KP Local Government Act. Mr. Saeed Zahir, a LG representative Peshawar, said, “There is a conflict between the rules of business and the Local Government Act. We are facing a power crisis. We are given with the designations but not the authority to do anything. All powers are given to the commissioner, and thus we cannot perform effectively.” Mr. Nizam Uddin, communication expert, Sub-National Governance program said, “LG members have the authority to legislate at district level and ultimately at provincial and national levels. There is a lack of understanding among them about using their powers, rules of business, and the Local Government Act. That has deprived them to perform their duties efficiently.” Seven live callers took part in the show. They urged LG representatives to perform their responsibilities rather than blaming the government about their power and authority crisis. It is their time to work for the public.” A caller on the show, Mr. Abdul Nawaz said, “All of...
CRSS China Watch – March 18, 2016
The owners of certain big private enterprises of Xijiang and some delegations of government officials seem eager for the joint ventures and investment in Pakistan. Communist Party Xijiang Division Secretary General Huang Zhigang led the delegation. He asserted that China intends to contribute for the economic development of Pakistan by exploring the joint ventures (JVs) and investments. [1] The Commerce Minister of Pakistan Khurram Dastgir is keen for Turkmenistan to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said, it would help to endorse strategic linkages among the southern port of Gwadar and the Arabian Sea. [2] To enhance the capacity of economic development under the CPEC, China has decided to establish Pak-China international science, technology, commercial and logistic park in Pakistan with an investment outlay to the tune of $1.5 billion. [3] The world’s largest hydropower producer tends to construct private and state owned hydropower stations in Pakistan since the Chinese company chose Pakistan as the first stop of its overseas investment. [4] Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal claimed that the government of Pakistan has got nothing to do with funding of energy projects under the CPEC. In addition, he clarified that the actual funding under the CPEC for energy projects is $ 32.66 billion but with an investment not higher than $ 2 billion on any single project. Therefore, the focus would be on coal and wind projects, not mega hydel projects. [5] [1]http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=394595&Itemid=1 [2]http://tribune.com.pk/story/1067780/pakistan-desires-to-see-turkmenistan-join-cpec/ [3]http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/news/1-5-billion-pak-china-it-park-in-islamabad-moves-to-execution-phase/ [4]http://nation.com.pk/business/18-Mar-2016/chinese-firm-plans-to-build-dams-in-pakistan ...
Sabawoon Showcase: Status of Female Education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)
March 10, 2016, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the staus of female education focusing on lack of girls’ schools in most parts of KP and FATA, available facilities in the government schools for girls, family support for girls education and awareness in the society regarding female education. In addition, the program discussed the need of teachers’ capacity building about advance ways of teaching, government planning for FATA internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) education, and the role of civil society in provision of education to girls in the region. The improvement in enrollment in the current government was also highlighted in the program. The program, under the theme of “JwandeyJazbey” (alive spirits), was aired on last Wednesday. Ms. Gul Raaj Atique Khan, Sub District Education officer, Peshawar was the guest on the show and Ms. Shazia Sharif, Education Officer, Khyber Agency, FATA, took part via telephone. . The report accentuated the ground realities in Khyber Agency about female education, schools infrastructure and the increase in their enrollment after IDPs return to Khyber Agency. Ms. Shazia Gul, said, “After the IDPs’ return, the enrollment ratio has increased and it is a positive sign. Approximately 13000 girls are enrolled currently. Unfortunately, most of the girls are unable to qualify age eligibility criteria regarding their education. This was mainly because of the displacement that has been affecting them in many ways for the last eight years”.Ms. Sakina Bibi, a local school teacher, said, “In current situation security and transportation problems are alarming in the region”. She further said, as the region has just gotten rid of the militancy. The schools infrastructure is badly affected and there is an urgent need for renovation and rehabilitation. Ms. Naima Haseen, a student, said, “It has been noticed that the people of FATA are more aware of the...
The Leaking Taxation Regime
by Imtiaz Gul A few small examples illustrate the extent of the brutal tax evasion taking place in Pakistan. These can be likened to vultures out to secure their interests at the cost of the rest. A national daily reports that the number of doctors across the country stands around 650,000. This includes 39,607 registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Of them only 14,712 filed income tax returns worth Rs1.93 billion in 2015. This number in 2014 was 17,167 filers, who deposited some Rs2.73 billion in income tax. This marked a decline in filers and a staggering 24,886 doctors either did not bother to report their incomes to the FBR or found ways to avoid doing so. Similarly, of the over 80,000 lawyers — the harbingers and the protectors of rule of law only 4,386 filed income tax returns in 2015, while 7,255 didn’t. This figure relates only to the category of major law practitioners, which is about 11,641. The filers paid income taxes worth Rs950 million. What about rest of the doctors and lawyers? Why does the FBR not move against them? What about private clinics or consultants — whose daily income runs in millions? How do lawyers handle the hundreds of thousands, often millions that they charge for once case? Keeping the aforementioned extremely small data in view, and considering the daily or per case high incomes of doctors and lawyers (some of whom charge tens of millions for a case) the FBR got only a fraction of tax from these professionals. How ironic is it that most of these professionals pontificate the rest of the nation on the virtues of rule of law and duties towards the state but themselves are involved in massive tax evasion. The dismal statistics accruing from the Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme — introduced in February 2016 to lure more businessmen into the tax net — reflects an equally disturbing story; in the first 26 days of enforcement, only 128 businessmen filed income tax returns worth Rs20 million in taxes — unlike the government...
Three Universities to be set- up on CPEC’s Western Route: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): Minister Planning, Development and Reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that universities in FATA, Zhob and Gwadar, located on Western route of China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will start functioning this year to produce quality human resource for CPEC in these areas.These universities are part of government's efforts to produce quality human resource along with focusing on infrastructure development and energy production through this mega development project. Published on :http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=393917&Itemid=2
Three Universities to be set- up on CPEC's Western Route: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): Minister Planning, Development and Reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal said on Monday that universities in FATA, Zhob and Gwadar, located on Western route of China- Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will start functioning this year to produce quality human resource for CPEC in these areas.These universities are part of government's efforts to produce quality human resource along with focusing on infrastructure development and energy production through this mega development project. Published on :http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=393917&Itemid=2
First Round of PACE Collaborative Workshops
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted a five day collaborative workshop for young lecturers and professors of universities from March 5-9, 2016 at COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology. The workshop was conducted under the umbrella of the Pakistan Center for Excellence (PACE), a counter-radicalization pluralistic values focused project, in collaboration with the Dutch Embassy. Participants included young university lecturers and professors from COMSATS Institute for Information Technology (CIIT), CECOS University, Quaid-e-Azam University, and the Journalism and Mass Communication Department, Peshawar University. Her Excellency Ms. Jeannette Seppen, the Netherlands Ambassador, was the chief guest at the inaugural session. While addressing the cadre of lecturers, she said, “Participation of opinion multipliers in the potential exercise of tolerance and dialogue was the need of the hour. For Netherlands, all issues of radicalization, extremism and fundamentalism have been priority agendas across all those countries where we are involved through our international cooperation.” Mr. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director, CRSS, after showing a brief video to the audience encapsulated some of the ideals that prompted the creation of PACE. He said that these ideals also resonated with the core values that are acknowledged, practiced and respected as fundamental to social harmony, political peace and national cohesion. “PACE is anchored in the central theme of equal citizenry and the rule of law because these are the critical values that can and may minimize conflict and help promote peace and generate respect for diversity of thought, faith and ethnicity” Mr. Gul said that by sticking to the constitution, promoting respect for the universal declaration of human rights and by creating awareness on the UN indicators for rule of law and equal citizenry, we could help rationalize the conversation on governance, national unity, peace and harmony. “For...
CRSS China Watch – March 11, 2016
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs declared that three berths are currently operational at Gwadar port. He informed the senate that China tends to build more berths to make the deep sea port fully operational. He further asserted that the port’s terminal will also be upgraded and expanded under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC). [1] It was notified by the planning ministry that Chinese companies involved in the CPEC project are working robustly to complete the energy projects in time. Radio Pakistan reported that this energy related projects would be completed by December next year. [2] Zeng Cun, ruling party chief of Xinjiang’s Kashgar stated that China has completed research task for laying China Pakistan and China Kyrgyzstan railway network. [3] China's Ambassador to Pakistan attended the session of “China Week” which was organized by Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In the inaugural session, the ambassador emphasized upon the excellent bilateral trade relations. [4] COMSATS University director declared that the ministry of science and technology is organizing the 5th Pak-China Business Forum 2016 from March 19 to 22 at Expo Centre Lahore. At this event, around 400 foreign companies will exhibit their products and students will get exposure of business opportunities. [5] __________________________________________________________________________ [1] http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/china-to-construct-additional-berths-at-gwadar-port-senate-told/ [2] http://www.pakistankakhudahafiz.com/news/national/first-phase-of-cpec-to-be-completed-by-2017/ [3] http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=392858&Itemid=2 [4] http://www.radio.gov.pk/newsdetail/72720/2 [5] http://nation.com.pk/business/10-Mar-2016/pak-china-business-forum-from-19th
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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.