Current Projects
Islamabad’s political turmoil has positive potential if restraint is shown
Pakistan's current political roller coaster reached new heights when Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, president of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, descended like an angel to save the current government with his expose of Khan as taking "dictation" from someone behind the scenes during the current anti-Nawaz protest. Although yet to be proven, Hashmi's claims were a major blow to Khan's demonstrations against the Nawaz Sharif government. But even amid these disclosures, Khan is resolute in carrying on his protest against the government, discarding Hashmi's allegations altogether. Khan launched his recent protest, the Independence March, on August 14, starting from Lahore and culminating in the ongoing sit-ins in front of the parliament house and other state buildings, also known as the Red Zone in Islamabad. Khan's PTI is also joined by Tahir ul Qadri's Revolution March. Qadri (President of Pakistan Awami League, PAT) not only seeks to bring about a revolution, but also demands the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, whom Qadri holds guilty of killing their 14 workers. As a result of this protest, the country has already suffered a long-lasting political and economic damage. The political parties have again been exposed as amateurs, unable to solve their own issues, and have thus called upon the military to act as mediator and facilitator. On a positive note, the opposition parties, mainly the Pakistan Peoples' Party, are also backing the government in this situation of adversity to strengthen democracy. It seems as if the parties on the opposition benches have learned their lesson from the past where any leverage given to the military resulted in a prolonged periods of military rule. On the other hand, Khan's protest should not be seen as something totally negative. His protest is probably the first major instance in the country's history where poll rigging has been made a massive issue. Even if Khan sacrifices his political future in...
Islamabad's political turmoil has positive potential if restraint is shown
Pakistan's current political roller coaster reached new heights when Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, president of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, descended like an angel to save the current government with his expose of Khan as taking "dictation" from someone behind the scenes during the current anti-Nawaz protest. Although yet to be proven, Hashmi's claims were a major blow to Khan's demonstrations against the Nawaz Sharif government. But even amid these disclosures, Khan is resolute in carrying on his protest against the government, discarding Hashmi's allegations altogether. Khan launched his recent protest, the Independence March, on August 14, starting from Lahore and culminating in the ongoing sit-ins in front of the parliament house and other state buildings, also known as the Red Zone in Islamabad. Khan's PTI is also joined by Tahir ul Qadri's Revolution March. Qadri (President of Pakistan Awami League, PAT) not only seeks to bring about a revolution, but also demands the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, whom Qadri holds guilty of killing their 14 workers. As a result of this protest, the country has already suffered a long-lasting political and economic damage. The political parties have again been exposed as amateurs, unable to solve their own issues, and have thus called upon the military to act as mediator and facilitator. On a positive note, the opposition parties, mainly the Pakistan Peoples' Party, are also backing the government in this situation of adversity to strengthen democracy. It seems as if the parties on the opposition benches have learned their lesson from the past where any leverage given to the military resulted in a prolonged periods of military rule. On the other hand, Khan's protest should not be seen as something totally negative. His protest is probably the first major instance in the country's history where poll rigging has been made a massive issue. Even if Khan sacrifices his political future in...
Existential threat
What are the biggest threats to Pakistan’s existence? Sectarian violence, target killing, intolerance, organized crime or a combination of all of them? What are the key existential challenges to Pakistan? Clean drinking water, education or rule of law (including equal citizenry) or a combination of all of them? Statistical evidence suggests that forces of status quo – the civilian and security ruling elites as well as the nexus of organized crime and religious militancy – are out to perpetuate themselves in all possible thinkable ways. This is backed up by extremely disturbing data on crime, conflict and violence that keeps overshadowing all the expressed good intent by politicians and generals. Statistics are getting worrisome with every passing day – manifest in the fact that the fatality rate in Pakistan relentless; at least 549 dead in the month of August 2014 alone – bringing the toll in the first eight months of 2014 to a whopping 4,691 across Pakistan. These casualties had peaked to nearly 953 in June, ostensibly because of the Zarb-e-Azb operation against militants holed up in Waziristan. The most worrying phenomenon, beside the TTP-mounted attacks on state and public interests, are target-killings, according to a study spread over the past eight months by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). Target killings, a staggering 1,377 out of the 4,691 deaths (more than one fourth), in fact emerge as an over-arching tag given to termination of perceived rivals under the garb of sectarian, political, or ethnic violence, or organized crime – a convenient way of obfuscating the real cause or motive of such murders. Target killings are an overarching tag for sectarian, political, or ethnic assassinations, or organized crime – a convenient way of obfuscating the real cause or motive. And out of the 549 casualties in August, at least 214 were attributed to target killing – ie over one-third of people lost their lives for their religious, political or...
Turkish Constitution Proscribes Use of Religion for Political Propaganda
The article of the present Turkish constitution states that Turkey is a secular republic. The Turkish State controls the organization of Islam through the institution of religious affairs. The Turkish constitution considers the use of religion for political propaganda as a criminal offense. Conservatives are flexing their muscles but sole of Indonesia remain irreligious, diverse and accommodating. Indonesia is a Muslim majority country and not an Islamic country. These were the notions expressed by National and International speakers during the Roundtable at Heinrich BӧllStiftung (HBS), Sept. 15, 2014 and youth interactions at Quaid-i-Azam University, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Sept. 16, 2014, as part of a dialogue series “Governance, Community and Religion (GOCORE)” with Pakistani universities students, intelligentsia, academia and civil society jointly organized by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in collaboration with Heinrich BӧllStiftung (HBS). The speakers for the dialogue series include Dr. BehlülÖzkan, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey, Author of “From the Abode of Islam to the Turkish Vatan: Making of a National Homeland in Turkey” and Ambassador Mian Sanaullah, Former Ambassador of Pakistan to Indonesia. Dr. Behlul Ozkan said that Turkey had 90 years of secular tradition behind it. It is the only country in the Middle East and Africa which has completely secularized its legal system which is especially significant in the area of personal status law which regulates marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance. “Turkey has a very good record of education and career opportunities for women depicted by that very high percentage of female participation in civil service, judiciary and academia”, he said while adding that the Turkish women were granted the right to cast their vote in 1930 before France, Greece, Canada, Switzerland and Belgium. “According to the...
The Rule of Law still Rules Women Out
In the face of little efforts made to introduce pro-women laws in Pakistan, no relief in the continued oppression against women in Pakistan has been observed. Women are facing a frightening level of discrimination and multiple forms of violence in Pakistan. Crimes like honor killings, rape, acid throwing, forced conversion to Islam, forced marriages, custodial torture, trafficking, domestic violence, dowry violence, abduction, forced prostitution and incest still go unchecked in the country. In year 2013, at least 6516 incidents of crime against women were reported including 2602 in Punjab, 1883 in Sindh, 1181 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhua, and 864 in Balochistan. [1] In Pakistan, the dominance of local culture and traditions in addressing the issues of violence against women, law-and-order and the dispensation of justice cannot be overlooked. Informal justice systems and other theoretical prototypes such as socio-economic status, gender, caste, and beraderis (clan/tribes) have a solid demeanor in the dispensation of justice. This social structure has, for many decades, encouraged violence against women in Pakistan that prevails in various horrifying forms. According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 291 “honor killings” were reported in year 2010.[2] Under Sections 299, 302 and 311 of Pakistan Criminal Code, honor killing is punishable with imprisonment of up to 25 years. Even so, it is to one’s disappointment that in 21st Century, Qisas and Diyat Ordinanace of 1984 that makes murder a pardonable offence, still holds its firm ground in the Pakistani society and let the perpetrators go scot-free. In year 2011, around 595 of the women killed were accused of having “illicit relations” and 219 of marrying without family consent.[3] In August 2014, in a similar incident, a man and a woman were shot dead in the name of honour by one of their relatives in Jaffarabad district, south-east of the Balochistan Province.[4] In yet another awful demonstration of honour killing...
Pakistan Conflict Tracker Monthly Report – August 2014
This report mainly covers the following topics for the month of August: Deaths due to violence in the country during August 2014, Casualties of violence in Balochistan, Casualties of violence in FATA, Casualties of violence in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP), Casualties of violence in Punjab, Casualties of violence in Sindh, Sectarian violence in Pakistan. All these events and other facts reported in the national newspapers are collected to make this report as informative and factual as possible. Errors and omissions, as always a possibility in all statistical works including this one, are expected. However, such mistakes do not grossly affect the basic objective of this report. CRSS will appreciate receiving comments that the readers may have on this report. 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 your request to: [mail@crss.pk or mohammad.nafees@yahoo.com] OVERVIEW Deaths due to violence in the country during August 2014: Nearly 20% reduction in deaths off violence 549 dead and 201 injured in the month of August 2014 compared to the last month’s figure (Refer table 1 and graph 1). Major cause of this reduction was the slowdown of military operation in the North Waziristan and Khyber Agency. Table 1: Deaths from violence in Pakistan – Jan-Aug 2014 Graph 1: Deaths from violence in Pakistan – Jan-Aug 2014 The slowdown in military operation resulted in lower number of fatalities in FATA from 348 to 178 this month. The province of Sindh registered the highest number of deaths during August. Surprisingly, the capital of the country, Islamabad, had no report of violence during the month of August though it remained highly affected of political turbulence. The most populous Punjab province also recorded a 25% decline in deaths off violence during this month (Refer graph 2), while Azad Jammu...
Dockyard attack an inside job
Navy on Tuesday remained tight-lipped on the defence minister’s claim in parliament that the weekend Karachi dockyard attack was an inside job. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking on a point of order by PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, said “some of the navy staff of commissioned ranks and some outsiders” were involved in the terrorist strike. Pakistan Navy’s public relations wing said on Monday night that its troops had thwarted an attack on the Karachi dockyard on Saturday in which one of its soldier lost his life while defending the facility. Two militants were killed and four others were apprehended by naval security personnel. Some of the attackers were said to be wearing navy uniforms. The defence minister promised to lay more details about the attack before parliament on Wednesday. TTP claims responsibility; Al Qaeda role also likely It is claimed that some navy men were also involved in the 2011 attack on Mehran Base, which is the deadliest attack so far on a navy installation. A navy spokesman when contacted to comment on the claims about the involvement of some navy personnel in the dockyard attack said several arrests had been made from Karachi and other cities. He, however, refused to say if there were navy personnel among the dead or arrested attackers. “Disclosing such sensitive information at this stage could compromise our investigations that are still continuing for unearthing the network,” the spokesman said. He did not speak either on the reports that one of the attackers reportedly killed in the incident – OwaisJakhrani — was a former navy sailor, who had quit a few months ago. Twenty-five-year-old Owais was son of SSP Ali SherJakhrani. “The body was handed over to the hospital and we do not have any further details to offer,” another navy spokesperson said. He avoided commenting on the links of the militants. “It’s too early to say that”. The proscribed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. A person identifying himself...
Heinous Crimes Report – August 2014
Incidents of heinous crimes in Pakistan continued unabated in the months of August 2014. An analysis of incidents involving Brutality, Child abuse, Honor Killing, Intolerance, Male domination, Misuse of power, Psychological frustration and Violence against women reflects the extent of growing violent tendencies across Pakistan. Brutality Child abuse Honor Killing Intolerance Male domination Misuse of power Violence against women Brutality Number of cases = 13 Date Source City Province Offence Narrative 2-Aug-14 Express Tribune Lahore Punjab Parking dispute LAHORE: A man was stabbed by three people during a tussle over parking space on Friday. Green Town police said Farman Ali, a resident of Kot Heera Singh, worked as a driver for Dr Safia. In the meantime, Toti Shah, a resident of the area, told Ali not to park on the road. They exchanged angry words and Shah called two of his friends to the scene and started beating up Ali. One of them pulled out a dagger and stabbed Ali several times and fled. 4-Aug-14 The News Mirpurkhas Sindh Sons killed in front of Mom MIRPURKHAS: Two brothers were killed in front of their mother, leaving their mother unconscious at the Bhagat Chowk Kot Ghulam Muhammad here on Sunday. The reason behind the murder was said to be an old enmity between Khaskhely and Khoso communities. 4-Aug-14 The News Islamabad Capital Infanticide ISLAMABAD: A cruel man killed his five-month-old daughter by throwing her down violently after thrashing his wife as she, once again gave birth to a baby girl, in G/13-4, Sunday night, police said 4-Aug-14 Express Tribune Faisalabad Punjab Infanticide FAISALABAD: A man allegedly murdered his former wife and her infant daughter in Chak 55, Kakra Kamlia. 5-Aug-14 The News Kalat Balochistan Beaten to death QUETTA: A man was beaten to death in Iskalago area of Kalat district on Monday, police said. 6-Aug-14 Express Tribune Peshawar KP Murder by Maulvi PESHAWAR: Zahid Khan, 23, was...
Islamic State an Emerging Global Terrorist Organization and its Implications for Pakistan
Background Started as an offshoot of al-Qaeda in Iraq, sharing same ideology, vision and goal with strategic differences, the Islamic state (IS) gained world attention, when it declared caliphate on June 29, 2014 with Abu Bakr al- Baghdadi as their caliph, started beheading spree of the westerners in orange jump suits like of Guantanamo detainees, winning territories both in Iraq and Syria, executing populace mainly Shia by the very extensive use of Takfir and ethnic cleansing of minorities like Yazidi community in Iraq. There’s a “competition for jihadi leadership” in which the Islamic State disparages al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri and his lieutenants for hiding in the mountains as it tries to seize the global jihadi crown, said Derek Harvey, a former senior analyst on Iraq for General David Petraeus. [1] The dispute began on April 8, 2013 with a statement by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the head of al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Iraq known then as the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI). Al-Baghdadi declared that Jabhat al-Nusra (or the Nusra Front), which operated solely in Syria against Assad, was nothing but “an extension” of ISI and that the two would now be known under the new name of ISIS.[2] This declaration was quickly answered by a conflicting statement from the head of Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, which affirmed the group had been generously supported by ISI in its jihad, but implied that he had in fact sworn his bay’a (oath of an allegiance) to Ayman al-Zawahiri. In his statement, Jawlani renewed his oath to Zawahiri and declined to become part of the new ISIS.[3] Financial and Physical Support According to Pew research center report Tunisia dominates the IS ranks by sending 3,000 Jihadists, followed by 2,500 from Saudi Arabia, 1500 from Morocco and some 800 Russian nationals.[4] Number of foreign fighters coming to Syria from the western countries has increased immensely. Strikingly, France tops the list with presence of 700 French nationals in IS files,...
CRSS organizes Otaq,”Role of Police in Controlling Crime in Rural Sindh – Problem and Solutions”
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on Saturday, August 30, 2014, organized an Otaq (public meeting) in Salehpat, a rural town near Sukkur on “Role of Police in Controlling Crime in Rural Sindh - Problem and Solutions” as part of its advocacy campaign for the Capacity Development of Sindh Police (CDSP) project. Dr. Arshad Mughul, advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh, was the chief guest. Other guest speakers included Hadi Bhutt, President Sukkur Bar Association, Shahnawaz Chachar, co-ordinator EDACE program Sindh, Ilahi Bux Matelo, president Salehpat Press Club, local opinion leaders Gulam Murtuza Ghangro and Niaz Mahar. Sindh Police was represented by a junior officer. Mr. Qaisar Mahmood briefed the participants about the efforts the German government through its organization GIZ is making for capacity development of the Sindh police. He also stressed the need to create public demand for reforms in Police. Speakers stressed the need to end nepotism in the department and freeing the police from the political pressures. The speakers pointed out the situation in rural areas was even worse as the powerful and the influential ones are continuously influencing the working of police, often hindering justice. The speakers also mentioned minorities who are facing difficulties in seeking justice. Plight of women and children was also highlighted by the speakers. Dr. Mughul pledged that the government is duty-bound to provide justice and ensure law and order. Speakers demanded merit in police at all levels while reforming the department.
TOP STORIES
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.