Current Projects

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

Australian HC Stresses Teachers’ Role in Exploiting Pakistan’s Human Capital

Pakistan’s magnificent human capital relies on the teachers’ wisdom, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Adamson said on Wednesday. She said every teacher has a broad role-modeling duty to inspire the future leaders and responsibility for passing on the sense of citizenry. She said Australia is one of the most diverse countries on earth and has many minorities from its indigenous people to smaller communities that have arrived over the period of extensive migration that Australia has experienced and has indeed welcomed. While engaging with fundamental issues, there is a need to reflect that every human being is equal regardless of the gender, background, culture, religion. Fundamental human rights are global rights, she said, adding that Pakistan Center of Excellence’s (PACE) - a key initiative of the CRSS - is cross-cutting, disciplinary and national while engaging in the large global issues of today. Adamson was addressing the closing ceremony of PACE’s first round of collaborative workshops, a five-day residential training programme from March 5-9. PACE is a major CVE initiative launched by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) - with the support from the government of Netherlands and in partnership with the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology - to promote democratic values, respect for diversity, fundamental human rights and virtues of tolerance as a measure of ensuring social peace and harmony for peaceful co-existence. It aims to facilitate a socio-political discourse – the Alternate Narrative on democratic rights and responsibilities anchored in the globally accepted and practiced concepts such as rule of law, equal citizenry, secular governance as a primary condition for social cohesion, and tolerance for, and acceptance of cultural diversity. The discussion themes were primarily rule of law, tolerance, diversity, fundamental human rights, equal citizenry and democracy and governance. CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul...

India-Pakistan Relations:

by: Vinod Sharma Are The Two Nsas Scripting The New India-Pakistan Lexicon Of Peace? They’re talking but not through the media — which they’ve used only to let their actions speak. It’s a relatively new experiment in Indo-Pak relations bedevilled historically by vituperative slugs. Gentle nudges seem to be working for now. The etymology of the new lexicon could be in the growing chemistry — and suggestions of trust — between the two national security advisers. Their off-camera engagements have yielded results — including a terror alert last week to New Delhi from Islamabad. The optimism stems as much from other signals: Pakistan lodging an FIR on the Pathankot attack; its foreign minister saying a phone number the attackers used was traced to Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Bahavalpur base; the information that JeM chief Masood Azhar is in custody. Against this backdrop has come a bigger straw in the wind— the hanging on February 29 of Mumtaz Qadri, a police commando who pumped bullets into West Punjab governor Salman Taseer for seeking reforms in the country’s blasphemy laws. Politically, the execution is a big deal for the Sharif brothers — Nawaz and Shahbaz — given its religious-political implications in their home province. Qadri was deified after the 2011 killing by a rabid assortment of Mullahs and advocates. They feted and garlanded him for taking out the very person he was assigned to safeguard. The hanging and the intelligence alert NSA Ajit Doval received from Pakistani counterpart Naseer Janjua on possible cross-border attacks during Mahashivratri, could be read as a gingerly shift to containing, if not immediately confronting, anti-India groups based in the country’s eastern enclaves in Punjab. A Pakistani official distinguished the push in the east from the army’s Zarb-e-Azb operation on the Af-Pak border in the west. “The task in Punjab isn’t easy as it cannot be performed militarily,” he reasoned. In southern Punjab where groups such as JeM have formidable...

India-Pakistan Relations:

by: Vinod Sharma Are The Two Nsas Scripting The New India-Pakistan Lexicon Of Peace? They’re talking but not through the media — which they’ve used only to let their actions speak. It’s a relatively new experiment in Indo-Pak relations bedevilled historically by vituperative slugs. Gentle nudges seem to be working for now. The etymology of the new lexicon could be in the growing chemistry — and suggestions of trust — between the two national security advisers. Their off-camera engagements have yielded results — including a terror alert last week to New Delhi from Islamabad. The optimism stems as much from other signals: Pakistan lodging an FIR on the Pathankot attack; its foreign minister saying a phone number the attackers used was traced to Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Bahavalpur base; the information that JeM chief Masood Azhar is in custody. Against this backdrop has come a bigger straw in the wind— the hanging on February 29 of Mumtaz Qadri, a police commando who pumped bullets into West Punjab governor Salman Taseer for seeking reforms in the country’s blasphemy laws. Politically, the execution is a big deal for the Sharif brothers — Nawaz and Shahbaz — given its religious-political implications in their home province. Qadri was deified after the 2011 killing by a rabid assortment of Mullahs and advocates. They feted and garlanded him for taking out the very person he was assigned to safeguard. The hanging and the intelligence alert NSA Ajit Doval received from Pakistani counterpart Naseer Janjua on possible cross-border attacks during Mahashivratri, could be read as a gingerly shift to containing, if not immediately confronting, anti-India groups based in the country’s eastern enclaves in Punjab. A Pakistani official distinguished the push in the east from the army’s Zarb-e-Azb operation on the Af-Pak border in the west. “The task in Punjab isn’t easy as it cannot be performed militarily,” he reasoned. In southern Punjab where groups such as JeM have formidable...