The 112th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed the role of media during the crises like COVID-19. The first guest on show, Mr. Kashif Uddin, Senior Journalist, Daily Aaeen, Peshawar, opined that media has doubtlessly a great potential to influence the masses, promote certain narratives or even carve-out new narratives. Given such a significant impact means a huge public service responsibility on it; especially during the times of crises, for participatory, responsible and community focused programming. Only by resorting to credible information sources and undertaking conflict conscious programming, can it address the misconceptions detrimental to the broader public interest. Media personnel should also be trained for responsible, participatory and conflict conscious programming during the crises and otherwise. This way, they can serve in the best interest of their target audience and better cater to the issues of communal concern. The second guest on show, Ms. Muska Safi, Ulasi Taroon Alumna, and a journalist by profession, noted  that the citizens should also critically evaluate the information reaching them from sundry media platforms; especially social media and avoid further propagating information received from inauthentic sources. Irresponsible journalism and citizenship during the crisis like COVID-19 only leads to chaos. The third guest on show Dr. Faizullah Jan, Chairman, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Peshawar, said that across the world, role of media becomes ever more important during the emergency situations especially when rumors are active. That is the time when the media can intervene and rise to the challenge of authentic information programming; cognizant of the sensitivities, while onboarding the experts and other credible voices. Media organizations must have a code of conduct and ensure its due...

The 111th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed online learning and conduits for communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first guest on show, Prof. Faisal Shehzad from Islamia College University, Peshawar, noted that it is the duty of state to provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years, as obligated under the article 25-A of the constitution of Pakistan. It is the responsibility of state to take all possible steps for accessible, equitable and quality education. This means a huge onus especially during the crisis like COVID pandemic, to continue to ensure citizens’ right to education while also not jeopardizing their health and safety. The option of online education - during this entire crisis – served as a most effective alternative to traditional learning, to stay connected with the students by shifting to digital conduits for communication. While it may not be the perfect option, but no learning process is devoid of problems and we should not let perfect to be the enemy of good. With the resolve to educate, the learning process never stops even in the absence of digital technology and internet as we witnessed in the past crises; especially in the times of Spanish Flu, where the learning continued and teachers and students communicated through letters, books and notes. The second guest at the show, Mr. Shahabuddin, Ulasi Taroon Alumnus and a student of Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, noted that COVID crisis is an opportunity to explore innovative ways of learning and improve the present system of education. The present online model of education is in the experimental phase both for students and faculty. The third guest on show, Dr. Syed Hussain Shaheed Soherwordi, Director, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Peshawar, noted that besides the devastating effects of...

The 110th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed equal citizenry and the status of women. The first guest on show, Dr. Dervish Khan Afridi, Lecturer, Department of the Gender Studies, University of Peshawar, noted that in all the democratic countries around the world, fundamental human rights are equally extended to all the citizens, without any discrimination based on gender, creed or culture. The constitution of Pakistan also ensures equal rights for all the citizens. Only by constitutional rights awareness, can citizens prevent their rights from being violated. The violation of these rights is not justified under any circumstances as it is detrimental to social cohesion and peace. Humans - through the process of evolution - have realized that democracy is the best form of governance as it is a system most conducive to and promotes equal rights and inclusion. Equality demands equal opportunities of participation in the socio-economic and political life to all segments of the society indiscriminately. The patriarchal structure of society negatively influences all the social institutions in terms of gender mainstreaming. Legal provisions are there for the protection of women but women’s unawareness of their legal rights and services on-offer, and sometimes the implementation issues direly affect the gender gap. Our salvation lies in devising a comprehensive awareness programme to cultivate a mindset key to unlock gender equality, he concluded. The second guest on phone, Dr. Anoosh Khan, Chairperson, Department of Gender Studies, University of Peshawar, noted that leadership development starts at home and if women are brought up in an environment conducive to self-confidence, critical-thinking, encouragement and leadership qualities, then we can expect women in the positions of prominence and leadership, in the future. Women in parliament should also...

The 109th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) aimed to underpin the need for equal opportunities for the people of tribal region and harnessing their potential for peacebuilding and national development. Tribal areas had been merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province about two years ago and since then, the reforms process is going on in the region to pave the way for a sustainable peace and development. The first guest on show, Baseerat Bibi, Member, Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (and belongs to Khyber tribal district), noted that after merger with the KP province, the people of tribal areas are now equally entitled to the rights as constitutionally available to the citizens from other parts of the country. All these constitutional protections are crucial for socio-economic and political inclusion, participation and mobility. The female parliamentarians from tribal areas are an inspiration for all the tribal women and their presence in the parliament augurs well for gender mainstreaming in the region. While the process of reforms is being rolled out, it will take time for us to comprehend and utilize the newly introduced systems and services on offer, respectively. The youth should be on-boarded this process, and hone their potential and channelize for the regional peace and development. The second guest on show, Mr. Usman Akbar, Ulasi Taroon alumnus and a student of IM Sciences, Peshawar, noted that the tribal people are underprivileged, and equality demands interventions to improve human development indexes like health, economy, education and other variables key to development. We should treat tribal people and the entire region with equity until developed at par with rest of the country. The third guest on show, Mr. Wali Khan Afridi, a lawyer by profession, noted that judicial reforms post-merger are crucially essential to prevent human...

The 108th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed how constitutional awareness and promoting constitutionalism contribute to social cohesion. The rights and duties of all citizens are explicitly enshrined in the constitution and therefore, it is incumbent on us to have knowledge about these rights and duties as responsible citizens. The constitutional rights knowledge is also critical to strengthen the accountability mechanisms in the society. Dr. Amir Raza, a faculty member from Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, noted that constitution aims to convert the role of citizens into a responsible citizenship and harness their potential for peace and development. With the constitutional rights education, the informed citizenry can hold the government and institutions accountable, besides being able to elect their representatives based on transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and other qualification criterions. The constitution shows direction to both the citizens and the state and the ways both are accountable to each other. In a society where individuals may have extremely opposing viewpoints, constitution serves as a common ground - among the most polarized views - to strengthen unity, cohesion and peaceful coexistence. The second guest on phone, Mr. Ali Gohar, Advocate, Peshawar High Court, noted that while the citizens enjoy certain fundamental rights constitutionally available to them, nevertheless, these freedoms should not mean violation of others’ rights. We must respect others’ rights to expect our rights to be respected. The third guest on show, Mr. Mustafa, an alumnus of Ulasi Taroon and a student of Islamia College University, Peshawar, informed that CRSS Ulasi Taroon youth workshop gave him the much-needed knowledge about the constitutional rights. Such opportunities can help the young play roles expected from them...