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Finding the Middle Ground
By directly telephoning Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to condemn the terrorist attack on the Badhaber Air Base, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani broke the ice that had formed following the spate of attacks in early August in Kabul. The mood in the Afghan capital vis-a-vis Pakistan was one of outrage and fell just short of declaration of war. Ghani, currently operating in a politically hostile environment, reiterated the resolve that Afghanistan will never allow its land to be used by anyone against Pakistan. He called in the context of Pakistani allegations that terrorists based in Kabul masterminded and guided the attack. His call also coincided with a long meeting at the Prime Minister House, where all the mighty ones — including the two Sharifs — had gathered to ponder Pakistan’s response to the latest attack. During the meeting, intelligence officials, according to the national media, insisted that they possessed strong evidence that the Badhaber attack was “planned and directed from Afghanistan”. Most also agreed, in principle, to provide the Afghan government with the “proof of the involvement of Afghanistan-based groups and other actors”. This all sounds good. Only in sharing evidence lies the way forward. But do the two countries share each other’s perceptions on the sources of terrorism too? The elimination of Shahidullah Shahid and Saeed Khan Orakzai in US drone strikes on targets in eastern Afghanistan, as well as the arrest by American marines in October 2013 of Lateefullah Mehsud, an aide to Hakimullah Mehsud, are the oft-quoted examples that support the Pakistani perception. It was the Americans who helped Pakistan out — by taking the TTP out and wresting Mehsud from the National Directorate of Security (NDS) officials and turning him over to us. Afghan NDS officials had then told the Americans that Mehsud was in Kabul for a coordination meeting — a clear hint that the TTP was serving as a proxy instrument for Afghan intelligence. The telephonic...
China Condemns Terrorist Attack at Peshawar Airbase
BEIJING - China has condemned the terrorist attack in Peshawar which inflicted heavy casualties, and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei in his remarks on terrorist attack in Pakistan said on Sunday that China supports Pakistan in firmly combating terrorism, and believes that the Pakistani government and military have the capability to maintain national security and stability. Published in Terrorism on Sunday, September 20, 2015
China vows Support for Pakistan’s Fight against Terrorism
China today condemned the brazen Taliban attack on a Pakistani air force camp near Peshawar that killed 42 people, including 29 security personnel, and vowed to support Pakistan's fight against terrorism. "We condemn the attack which caused severe losses of lives, and we express our condolences to the families of the victims," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei. Hong said China supports Pakistan's efforts to crackdown on terrorism, and believes the Pakistani government and armed forces are capable of maintaining their national security and stability. At least 42 people, including 29 security personnel and 13 terrorists of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed in the attack on the Badaber air base on Friday. Another 29 people were wounded in the attack when a group of 13 militants wearing explosives-laden jackets and armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles stormed the base. The air base, however, was not functional and was mostly used as a residential place for air force employees. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was to avenge Pakistani military bombardment of mosques and the killing of civilians in the country's northern tribal regions. Pakistan is carrying out military operations in its remote tribal areas where militants of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) are believed to have a stronghold. The ETIM is waging a violent separatist movement in China's Xinjiang. The Pakistan air force has been playing a major role in the fight against militants since June 2014, when the army launched an operation to flush out militants from the region to end the bloody decade-long Islamist insurgency. Peshawar has often been targeted by militants. Last December more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed by Taliban gunmen in an attack on an army-run school. Published on September 20,2015 on http://www.business-standard.com/
China vows Support for Pakistan's Fight against Terrorism
China today condemned the brazen Taliban attack on a Pakistani air force camp near Peshawar that killed 42 people, including 29 security personnel, and vowed to support Pakistan's fight against terrorism. "We condemn the attack which caused severe losses of lives, and we express our condolences to the families of the victims," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei. Hong said China supports Pakistan's efforts to crackdown on terrorism, and believes the Pakistani government and armed forces are capable of maintaining their national security and stability. At least 42 people, including 29 security personnel and 13 terrorists of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed in the attack on the Badaber air base on Friday. Another 29 people were wounded in the attack when a group of 13 militants wearing explosives-laden jackets and armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles stormed the base. The air base, however, was not functional and was mostly used as a residential place for air force employees. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was to avenge Pakistani military bombardment of mosques and the killing of civilians in the country's northern tribal regions. Pakistan is carrying out military operations in its remote tribal areas where militants of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) are believed to have a stronghold. The ETIM is waging a violent separatist movement in China's Xinjiang. The Pakistan air force has been playing a major role in the fight against militants since June 2014, when the army launched an operation to flush out militants from the region to end the bloody decade-long Islamist insurgency. Peshawar has often been targeted by militants. Last December more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed by Taliban gunmen in an attack on an army-run school. Published on September 20,2015 on http://www.business-standard.com/
China vows Support for Pakistan's Fight against Terrorism
China today condemned the brazen Taliban attack on a Pakistani air force camp near Peshawar that killed 42 people, including 29 security personnel, and vowed to support Pakistan's fight against terrorism. "We condemn the attack which caused severe losses of lives, and we express our condolences to the families of the victims," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei. Hong said China supports Pakistan's efforts to crackdown on terrorism, and believes the Pakistani government and armed forces are capable of maintaining their national security and stability. At least 42 people, including 29 security personnel and 13 terrorists of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), were killed in the attack on the Badaber air base on Friday. Another 29 people were wounded in the attack when a group of 13 militants wearing explosives-laden jackets and armed with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles stormed the base. The air base, however, was not functional and was mostly used as a residential place for air force employees. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was to avenge Pakistani military bombardment of mosques and the killing of civilians in the country's northern tribal regions. Pakistan is carrying out military operations in its remote tribal areas where militants of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) are believed to have a stronghold. The ETIM is waging a violent separatist movement in China's Xinjiang. The Pakistan air force has been playing a major role in the fight against militants since June 2014, when the army launched an operation to flush out militants from the region to end the bloody decade-long Islamist insurgency. Peshawar has often been targeted by militants. Last December more than 150 people, mostly children, were killed by Taliban gunmen in an attack on an army-run school. Published on September 20,2015 on http://www.business-standard.com/
Sabawoon Showcase: FATA’s Future
September 21, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Monday, focused on sensitization and awareness regarding the constitutional future of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Key points of discussion included a) the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), b) an independent FATA province, and c) the bill tabled by National Assembly lawmakers representing FATA for the region's constitutional rights. The program was aired under the theme “Jarga Marraka” (public dialogue). Mr. Kareem Mehsud, FATA issues expert and former judge of FATA Tribunal, Mr. Ijaz Momand, Former President of FATA Lawyer Forum, and Farhad Afridi, a KP-based lawyer, participated in the program as studio guests. Views of the residents of FATA regarding possible solutions for this issue were also included in the program in the form of a field report from Kurram Agency. Nine callers participated in the show and stressed on the merger of FATA with KP because both FATA and KP are inter-related and it would be hard for FATA to manage as an independent province. Some callers suggested that the merging of FATA with KP will boost the economy, and will bring peace in the area.
Sabawoon Showcase: FATA's Future
September 21, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Monday, focused on sensitization and awareness regarding the constitutional future of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Key points of discussion included a) the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), b) an independent FATA province, and c) the bill tabled by National Assembly lawmakers representing FATA for the region's constitutional rights. The program was aired under the theme “Jarga Marraka” (public dialogue). Mr. Kareem Mehsud, FATA issues expert and former judge of FATA Tribunal, Mr. Ijaz Momand, Former President of FATA Lawyer Forum, and Farhad Afridi, a KP-based lawyer, participated in the program as studio guests. Views of the residents of FATA regarding possible solutions for this issue were also included in the program in the form of a field report from Kurram Agency. Nine callers participated in the show and stressed on the merger of FATA with KP because both FATA and KP are inter-related and it would be hard for FATA to manage as an independent province. Some callers suggested that the merging of FATA with KP will boost the economy, and will bring peace in the area.
Sabawoon Showcase: FATA's Future
September 21, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Monday, focused on sensitization and awareness regarding the constitutional future of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Key points of discussion included a) the merger of FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), b) an independent FATA province, and c) the bill tabled by National Assembly lawmakers representing FATA for the region's constitutional rights. The program was aired under the theme “Jarga Marraka” (public dialogue). Mr. Kareem Mehsud, FATA issues expert and former judge of FATA Tribunal, Mr. Ijaz Momand, Former President of FATA Lawyer Forum, and Farhad Afridi, a KP-based lawyer, participated in the program as studio guests. Views of the residents of FATA regarding possible solutions for this issue were also included in the program in the form of a field report from Kurram Agency. Nine callers participated in the show and stressed on the merger of FATA with KP because both FATA and KP are inter-related and it would be hard for FATA to manage as an independent province. Some callers suggested that the merging of FATA with KP will boost the economy, and will bring peace in the area.
Sabawoon Showcase: Women Empowerment Role Models
September 16, 2015, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon (Dawn), on Wednesday, focused on the achievements of a female political activist and shared her political experience with our listeners. Lack of education and proper awareness for women empowerment were the key points of discussion. The program was aired under the theme “Jwandey Jazbey” (Alive Spirits). Ms. Fatima Nosherwan, Central Secretary for Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Women Wing and District Councillor, Peshawar joined the host in our Peshawar studio. A related story from district Mardan was also made part of the program, which highlighted the participation of the women in politics in rural areas and the roles they can play for the development of that area. Eight callers participated in the show and requested the government to raise awareness for empowering women and increase the level of efforts for furthering female education. “In my political career, I received many life threats from the Taliban, locals and the family but the biggest one I faced was from my relatives, which was indeed very hard to tackle. But I never gave up and tried my level best to achieve my goals. Women should not forget that it is in our culture to strive for our goals and we should empower ourselves by helping one another”. - Fatima Nosherwan (Central Secretary for Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Women Wing and District Councillor, Peshawar)
Heinous Crimes Report January – June 2015
INTRODUCTION: Since May 2014, The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) began collecting data on heinous crimes from the local press covering the national spectrum. These are the crimes committed by those who, in most of the cases, are not necessarily career criminals or militants. Yet, they indulge in such offences because of the values and traditions they consider as a license for their crimes. The perpetrator of a crime is as important as the crime itself, though the nature and severity of the crime are significant considerations as well. For sociologists and criminologists, these factors serve as a measuring tool that help assess how criminalized a society is. The basic purpose of making this report is to provide tangible data to help social introspection. This report covers incidents of crimes like child abuse, violence against women, honor killings, and others. The criteria we use for selection of heinous crimes often restrict us to record only those crimes that fall within that category. For example, only those incidents of rape are recorded where the victims are minors or blood relatives, as the actual number may be much higher due to unreported cases. Similarly, a case of honor killing can be ignored if the perpetrators are unknown. The crimes against children are recorded without any discrimination. So, in a sense, this is a selective report and cannot be used as a source for complete information about any crime included in it. The reports that appear in the local newspapers like The News, Dawn, and Express Tribune are the primary source of this document. Errors and omissions, a possibility in all statistical work, can occur. However, such mistakes do not grossly affect the basic objective of this report. NOTE: All data is from January - June, 2015. Report prepared by: Mohammad Nafees Senior Research Fellow Center for Research and Security Studies NOTE: Readers can approach CRSS for source of any information included in the report. Please send...
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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.