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Quarterly Security Report Q3, July-Sep., 2020
Casualties from Violence in Pakistan A total of 132 fatalities from violence were recorded during the third quarter of 2020 with 162 people injured. Nearly 58% of the total fatalities were recorded in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) (including former FATA)[1], while Balochistan had the next highest number of fatalities (23), followed by Sindh (19), Gilgit Baltistan (GB) (7), Punjab (6), and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) (1). While Punjab and Islamabad appeared to be the least affected by violence, KP and Balochistan were the worst affected regions of the country. Most troublingly, reports appeared in the press warning of the resurgence of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the former FATA region and its possible reappearance in Karachi (table 01). [docxpresso file="https://crss.pk/wp-content/uploads/CRSS-Security-Report-Q3-2020.odt" comments="true" SVG="true"] [1] FATA has been merged with KP but we still maintain its data separately because it was and still is the main hub of militancy.
Dr. Abdullah says peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and Pakistan interdependent
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the Chairman, Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) appreciated Pakistan’s efforts with regards to Afghan peace process and also the recent string of confidence building measures from Islamabad. He specifically mentioned Pakistan beefing up trade infrastructure along the Pak-Afghan border to boost bilateral trade and the announcement of new visa policy. The Chairman was speaking at a roundtable event organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad, earlier today. Dr. Abdullah said he had wanted to visit Pakistan for a long time, and was concluding his trip in Pakistan today with a very positive impression and hope in his heart. He also said Pakistan and Afghanistan have the opportunity at hand, to begin a new era of bilateral relations, based on mutual respect and shared prosperity. The ongoing negotiations offer a window of opportunity. Peace and prosperity in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are interdependent. He said there is a need to go beyond the rhetoric and the usual blame game, as one cannot afford to pursue dissolution. Imtiaz Gul, Executive Director CRSS titled Dr. Abdullah Abdullah as a “Man for Peace”. He also informed the plenary that CRSS has tried to keep the issues of public interests alive through cross-border dialogues and built pressure for their resolution. Gul also thanked Dr. Abdullah Abdullah for his mediation for smooth functioning of Pakistan’s sponsored projects within Afghanistan, over the last few years. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah also appreciated CRSS efforts, stating that in the last five years, even when the two sides had a very acrimonious relationship, CRSS always kept the door open for dialogue and cooperation. Regarding the intra-Afghan negotiations, he said that after 42 years of war, the Afghan government and the Taliban are sitting across the table; that in itself is historic. There is no maiden prescription for the future of Afghanistan; we have to work...
Concerted Efforts Must for Women Economic Empowerment, MNA Romina Khurshid Alam
Only by economically strong women, can nation be strong, stated Romina Khurshid Alam, Member, National Assembly, while speaking at a public-private dialogue on Gender Focused Economic Reforms (GFER), organized by Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad. She further noted that the notion that women are better-off in developed countries is wrong; women are vulnerable everywhere. Gender inclusion comes through concerted efforts; government and opposition, as well as the with the active role of private sector stakeholders. Faisal Suhail Butt, gender and trade expert from Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA), invited as a keynote speaker, noted that as a matter of alarming fact, Pakistan’s raking in Global Gender Gap Index is deteriorating over the last few years. The metric also reflects in the number of women who are engaged in economic activity, which stands at 25%. For Pakistan, to achieve its sustainable development goals (SDGs), this number has to be at least 45%. Earlier, the main problem was to sensitize policy making sphere about gender specific issues within the economic domain, but that battle is over. Now, the issue is now more about transformation of attitudes into actions and calls for institutionalization and implementation of gender inclusive approaches. Fouzia Hussain, representing Ministry of Commerce (MoC), apprised the gathering that that Ministry of Commerce and National E-Commerce Council (NeCC) have established the Women Economic Empowerment Group (WEE). The group would aim to ameliorate the issues hampering women’s economic participation. Nabila Farman from Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), shared that SME policy is on the table for approval and will be out in very soon. She was of the opinion that the government is doing targeted interventions for gender mainstreaming. However, the public needs to be aware of the services of offer for their benefit and facilitation. Masooma Sibtain,...
Rule of Law Requires Indiscriminate Justice: SSP Operations, Peshawar
Everyone is equally subject to law regardless of their social, political or economic background, as a matter of rule of law. Rule of law also refers to the extent by which laws can influence individual and institutional behavior. These remarks were made by the Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations), Peshawar, Mr. Mansoor Aman during a discussion and networking workshop on social cohesion titled “Strengthening Faculty Leaders as Catalysts for Change”, held by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) as part of its youth leadership development initiative Ulasi Taroon, at University of Peshawar. He said that the supremacy of state law is mainly because of its inclusive and universal nature where it duly considers the public aspirations and values. Therefore, inclusive policy making is critical to rule of law and requires absolute consideration of the cultural ethos and traditions, so that it acts as a source of cohesion instead of polarization. Discrimination through selective justice is not only contrary to rule of law but also detrimental to social cohesion; disintegrating the society. Ideally, there should be no exceptions in law, and everyone should be treated equally. Unequal treatment of law with a certain group or individual takes a negative toll on the state of rule of law. Clash of culture/ traditions and codified law only leads to conflict and weakens social cohesion, just like the clash of social order and social contract. Though citizens are entitled to certain freedoms as their fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, however, individual freedoms that interfere with others’ rights and freedoms are contrary to rule of law. Rule of law requires law that not only regulates individual behavior but also the institutional behaviors and nudges them to observe their constitutional limits. Dr. Shuja Ahmad, Chairman, Department of Philosophy, University of Peshawar noted that citizens’ access to information is one of the prerequisites to...
Pentagon Fights Wars to Please Military Industrial Complex
By: Imtiaz Gul In his press conference on Sept 7, President Donald Trump – the commander Pentagon Fights Wars to Please Military Industrial Complex -in-chief of the US forces – laid bare what none of his predecessors did; in unequivocal terms, Trump called out the Pentagon for “wanting to fight wars to please the companies producing military hardware. “I’m not saying the military is in love with me; the soldiers are. The top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy.” With this Trump reminded the Americans as well as the rest of the world of what audience what one of his predecessors – President Dwight Eisenhower had spelt out as the creeping danger to the American society i.e. the imilitary industrial complex (MIC). In his farewell address on January 17, 1961, Eisenhower cautioned the nation in the following words: A vital element in keeping the peace is our military establishment. Our arms must be mighty, ready for instant action, so that no potential aggressor may be tempted to risk his own destruction…This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. The total influence—economic, political, even spiritual—is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military–industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. Trump’s presser came on the heels of an announcement by Marine General Kenneth McKenzie, head of U.S. Central...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Educational Governance Challenges and Youth Development
The 114th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed the importance of educational governance for youth development. Educational governance refers to the provision, regulation and implementation of education systems at different levels; local, regional, national and supranational. It is key to the progress and efficiency of the system of education. The first guest on show, Mr. Saeed Khan, Lecturer of Political Science, FATA University, noted that Article 25A of the constitution of Pakistan binds the state to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of five to sixteen years. This constitutional provision serves as a foundation to the system of educational governance and key to the regulation and the implementation of an inclusive system of education. Besides ensuring the practical implementation, the good educational governance must also be characterized by accountability, transparency and responsiveness. There is a significant evidence in the contemporary scholarship about how the level of education in the society can serve as the most critical resource for economic growth and democratic development. The educational policies should be considerate of the social cohesion needs of the country as an attempt to create a critical mass of future leaders as catalysts for peace and development. The second guest on show, Ms. Farishta Noor, Ulasi Taroon Alumna and a student of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Peshawar, said that Ulasi Taroon was a great opportunity to network with students from diverse backgrounds, and engage a range of different issues key to social cohesion through dialogue; one of the most essential skill that a democracy needs. There is a dire need to promote basic and higher education in the tribal areas, as a panacea to conflict, and to develop their inherent potential for growth and development....
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Educational Governance Challenges and Youth Development
The 114th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed the importance of educational governance for youth development. Educational governance refers to the provision, regulation and implementation of education systems at different levels; local, regional, national and supranational. It is key to the progress and efficiency of the system of education. The first guest on show, Mr. Saeed Khan, Lecturer of Political Science, FATA University, noted that Article 25A of the constitution of Pakistan binds the state to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of five to sixteen years. This constitutional provision serves as a foundation to the system of educational governance and key to the regulation and the implementation of an inclusive system of education. Besides ensuring the practical implementation, the good educational governance must also be characterized by accountability, transparency and responsiveness. There is a significant evidence in the contemporary scholarship about how the level of education in the society can serve as the most critical resource for economic growth and democratic development. The educational policies should be considerate of the social cohesion needs of the country as an attempt to create a critical mass of future leaders as catalysts for peace and development. The second guest on show, Ms. Farishta Noor, Ulasi Taroon Alumna and a student of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Peshawar, said that Ulasi Taroon was a great opportunity to network with students from diverse backgrounds, and engage a range of different issues key to social cohesion through dialogue; one of the most essential skill that a democracy needs. There is a dire need to promote basic and higher education in the tribal areas, as a panacea to conflict, and to develop their inherent potential for growth and development....
Ulasi Taroon Workshops Hone Youth’s Peacebuilding Potential
The latest rounds of Ulasi Taroon Online Youth Capacity Building Workshops discussed the topics of “Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution”, “Diversity and Quaid's Vision”, and “Art, Culture and Social Cohesion” during the tenth, eleventh and twelfth rounds, respectively, with around 60 youth leaders from different public and private sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The veteran actor Firdous Jamal, while speaking during the twelfth round, noted that the need for communication and dialogue is greater than ever in the times of conflict and disagreement. Only by the culture of dialogue, can we prevent and resolve conflicts. The ability to articulate one’s point of view is extremely essential to resolve misunderstandings and live in harmony with each other. Being articulate – communicating effectively – is a critical soft skill for conflict resolution of peaceful coexistence. Culture is the reflection of a society. The culture of Pakistan is known around the world for its hospitality, cooperation and exceptional resilience in the times of crises. As responsible citizens, we should all portray the positive sides of Pakistan that make us proud and we should all celebrate and promote. Intercultural interactions are critical to harness cultural diversity as a connector, and for shared goals of peace and prosperity. It can also help developing the much-needed social capital for cohesion and development. While we should keep our culture alive, we should also be open to adopt the best practices of other cultures. The Ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait, Syed Sajjad Haider, noted during the eleventh round that Quaid-e-Azam - with his vision for Pakistan - believed in a democratic country with inclusive and impartial government, religious freedom, rule of law and equality for all. He always stressed upon tolerance and mutual respect regardless of different backgrounds of people. We can also develop in synch with the developed countries around the world through...
Pak-Afghan Youth Webinar – Exploring Avenues of Cross-Collaboration in Culture and Art between Afghanistan and Pakistan
As part of its efforts to bridge the gap between the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) – in collaboration with its sister organization Afghan Studies Center – organized a Pak-Afghan Youth Webinar on the theme “Exploring Avenues of Cross-Collaboration in Culture and Art between Afghanistan and Pakistan” on August 20, 2020. The panelists invited were Ms. Sahraa Karimi, film director and Director General, Afghan Film, Afghanistan and Ms. Simi Raheel, a seasoned artist/actor and development professional Pakistan. The webinar was moderated by CRSS’ Program Director of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II initiative Beyond Boundaries, Zeeshan Salahuddin, and attended by 37 young Afghans and Pakistanis from both countries. In his opening remarks, Beyond Boundaries’ Project Lead, Zeeshan Salahuddin, welcomed and introduced the panelists to the attendees from both countries. Expounding on the theme in focus, he stated that in the current era, collaborations between both countries in the field of art, cultural promotions, sports, literature, and drama, are missing. To pursue working on these avenues, CRSS felt the need to engage prominent personalities with vast experience in these fields to share their insights and propose ideas on future collaborations to strengthen the people-to-people contact and portray a soft image of both countries to each other and the world. In her keynote speech, Karimi, Afghanistan’s first female with a PhD in film, recalled that before visiting Pakistan in 2019, she held a very different perception of the country due to its negative portrayal in the media and the political unrest between Kabul and Islamabad. Unfortunately, due to the strained state-to-state relations, both countries could not get the opportunity to collaborate and cooperate in cultural or art exchanges. She expressed her excitement over the abundance of talent present in both countries and was optimistic that if the youth of...
Strategic Sideline Meeting of Pakistan PAJC Members
As part of its efforts to improve Pakistan-Afghanistan relations under its ongoing Track 1.5/II initiative ‘Beyond Boundaries’, CRSS convened a strategic sideline meeting of the Pakistani PAJC members on August 17, 2020, at Serena Hotel Islamabad. The agenda of the meeting focused on i) COVID-19 pandemic’s shocking downturn in Pakistan, and its effects on bilateral issues, both political and economic, ii) The impact of the newly opened crossing points for bilateral and transit trade and the movement of people and goods, iii) Significance of the appointment of the Special Representatives for Pakistan and Afghanistan, how to best leverage this development and improve ties, iv) Ongoing developments in the Afghan peace process and intra-Afghan dialogue, potential outcome scenarios in the coming months, and their impact, and v) Security situation across Afghanistan and Pakistan leading into the tail end of 2020. Members included Mehnaz Akber Aziz, Member National Assembly; Dr. Shoaib Suddle, Former IG Police and former Federal Tax Ombudsman; Lt. Gen. (retd) Asif Yasin Malik, Former Defense Secretary; Former Ambassadors Ayaz Wazir, Qazi Humayun, Asif Durrani, and Mian Sanaullah; Ammara Durrani, public policy and human security expert and Tahir Khan, senior journalist and anchorperson GTV News. CRSS was represented by Executive Director Imtiaz Gul, Beyond Boundaries’ project leader Zeeshan Salahuddin, CRSS Program Manager Junaid Khan, and CRSS Program Coordinator, Sitwat Waqar Bokhari. Welcoming the members, Executive Director Imtiaz Gul presented an overview of the challenges being currently faced in bilateral relations and invited the members to share their insights on their resolution. One of the critical challenges, besides those arising from COVID-19 pandemic, that requires immediate attention and a policy appraisal, he stated, is the slow scanning of the containers, non-availability of trackers and the issue of insurance has led to the stranding of over 9000 trade...
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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.