Current Projects

CRSS Mourns The Demise Of Its Late Distinguished Afghan PAJC Member, Salim Khan Kunduzi

Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is extremely saddened by the unfortunate demise of former Nangarhar Governor Salim Khan Kunduzi who was a prominent Afghan member of CRSS’ Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Committee (PAJC) of Track 1.5/II Dialogue ‘Beyond Boundaries’. Mr. Kunduzi was a positive and forward looking person whose loss is immense for the members of the Beyond Boundaries as well as Afghan Studies Center and CRSS. On August 23, 2019, while speaking at a Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders Summit held in Islamabad, Mr. Kunduzi had said that the responsibility of harnessing peace and development was on the youth now. He encouraged the youth participants by stating “You should not think that you cannot bring change just because you are not in power corridors. Remember, the power of people is more than the people in power”, while motivating them to play more active role in their respective communities. While speaking to CRSS in an exclusive interview earlier on March 19, 2018, Mr. Kunduzi had stressed that there is a need to enhance people to people interaction, especially through the media and between the young generations, to improve relations and maintain peace and stability in the region. CRSS and ASC will continue to commemorate his peaceful and positive messaging and his constructive contributions towards the initiative. The video of his interview can be viewed below.

Ulasi Taroon Showcase: The Journey Continues

The 106th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) discussed the journey of programme through the last two and a half years and that how it continued to sow the seeds of social cohesion despite the devastating effects of COVID-19. Mr. Shams Mohmand, Project Manager, Ulasi Taroon noted that the initiative aims to promote tolerance perspectives, and virtues of respect for diversity through constitutional awareness and education among the citizens. For this purpose, it utilizes the radio advocacy campaign, youth capacity building workshops, and print and social media, to engage all segments of the society, especially youth. As part of the project’s youth leadership development efforts, more than 700 students from over 30 public and private sector universities have been engaged to cultivate their peacebuilding and leadership potential. And the journey of Ulasi Taroon continues even during the COVID-19 pandemic by shifting to online conduits for communication; conducting digital workshops, radio programming, social media traction and more. The second guest on phone, Ms. Shagufta Khalique, Lead Facilitator, Ulasi Taroon noted that the initiative aims promote a discourse embedded in the ideals of acceptance, equality and rule of law and equip the young with the intellectual tools to refute extremist ideologies. Only by onboarding the youth and equipping them with the critical thinking, conflict resolution and peacebuilding skills, can social cohesion be strengthened. This is how the societies coexist peacefully; when they cultivate the attitudes and practices of respect and understanding, and resort to dialogue to figure out differences. The third guest on show, Ms. Mahnoor Khan, Ulasi Taroon alumna, opined that Ulasi Taroon has been a life-changing experience; brining a very positive change in her attitude and her fellow students. Such initiatives are need of the hour...

COVID-19 Needs Gender Inclusive Humanitarian Response: Ombudsperson KP

Only by reporting the incidents of harassment and other violations of their rights, and choosing to seek legal services available to them, can women prevent such traumatic and violent encounters in the future, said the Ombudsperson, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ms. Rakshanda Naz, during the seventh round of Ulasi Taroon Online Workshops. She noted that the provision of legal services to citizens, especially the vulnerable groups, is extremely important during a crisis situation. Lack of access to legal services during the crises can be chaotic and Ombudsperson has been trying to ensure its availability during the pandemic and be able to respond to those seeking legal services and guidance. The institutions providing legal services should be impartial and view all the parties to the dispute indiscriminately. Such an institutional neutrality is of paramount importance, especially in the patriarchal societies. Institutional capacity is also very important to promote gender equality and for proportionate response to women seeking legal and range of other social services, during crises and otherwise. Gender inclusive humanitarian response is key to every crises and COVID-19 is no exception. Ombudsperson office also played its role to connect different government institutions for a synergized and coordinated response. You need to have indiscriminate equality in the society to deal with the crises which affect everyone indiscriminately. The ranking of Pakistan in the global gender gap index is alarming with regard to education, health and economic participation, whereas, gender equality is explicitly enshrined in the constitution and also an international commitment of the country. We have seen unprecedented pro-women legislation in the last two decades. All these legal provisions must translate into actions and implementation. We need to have a comprehensive institution with nationwide presence as an authority for women protection and to respond to the incidents of violence....

Women Empowerment and Economic Growth

Women make up almost half of the world’s population, but their contribution to the measured economic activity, growth, and well-being is far below its actual potential, with grave macroeconomic repercussions. Despite the substantial progression in recent decades, labor markets throughout the world remain divided along gender lines, and progress toward gender equality appears to be very slow, if not hindered. Evidence shows that female labor force participation has remained lower than male participation. Women account for most unpaid work; when women are employed in paid work, they are over-represented in the informal sector. They also face noteworthy wage differentials in comparison to their male counterparts. In many countries, distortions and discrimination in the labor market limit women’s options for paid work, and female representation in senior positions and entrepreneurship consequently remains low. It is now a known fact that the challenges of growth, creating employment opportunities, and inclusiveness are closely intertwined. Nonetheless, growth and stability are essential to give women the opportunities they need; in contrast, women’s participation in the labor market is also a part of the growth and stability equation. To be specific, in rapidly aging economies, higher female labor force participation can enhance growth by addressing the impact of a shrinking workforce. Better opportunities for women can also contribute to broader economic development in developing economies, for instance through higher levels of school enrollment for girls. If we investigate the social fabric of developing and least developed countries, we will find women among the vulnerable segments of society, calling for their political and economic empowerment. However, women’s political empowerment is not a goal, but it is an instrument in stimulating the society for political and social empowerment on the aggregate level, which would further stimulate the overall development of...

CRSS Welcomes The Appointment Of Umer Daudzai As Afghanistan’s Special Representative To Pakistan

Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) is pleased to welcome the appointment of Mohammed Umer Daudzai as the Special Representative to Pakistan from Afghanistan. In February 2020, on the invitation of the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), senior Afghan politician and former Special Envoy for Regional Consensus Building on Peace for President Ghani, Daudzai, also came to Islamabad to attend CRSS’ Pakistan-Afghanistan-China trilateral on the future of the Afghan peace process. n an exclusive interview with CRSS on the occasion, Daudzai also shed light on the challenges Afghanistan could face after the signing of the peace deal between the US and Taliban which was due later that month. The video of the interview can be viewed below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoS17k9Zg3A&feature=emb_logo

Pakistan-India Border Conflict: Civilian Casualty Report (2016 – 2020)

Mohammad Nafees – Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). The subject of the Muslim-majority Himalayan state of Kashmir – divided between India and Pakistan through a 720-km long Line of Control (LoC) – has remained part of regional and global headlines particularly since August 5 2019, when New Delhi revoked the state’s special states and annexed it as the union territory along with Ladakh. Even before that, both countries have been trading mutual allegations of cross-border shelling and firing resulting in harm to civilian populations in areas under their respective administration. [docxpresso file="https://crss.pk/wp-content/uploads/Pakistan-India-Border-14-2.odt" comments="true" SVG="true"]

Turning Crises into Opportunities | CRSS Ulasi Taroon Workshops

The latest rounds of Ulasi Taroon Online Workshops featured Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, Nuclear Physicist and Renowned Academic, and Dr. Jamil Ahmad Chitrali, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Peshawar, for discussion with around 40 youth leaders from different public and private sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The events were held as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) efforts to continue to cultivate the young through online conduits for communication, in the absence of physical platforms of youth engagement and development. In the fifth round, Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy discussed the Innovation in Education and Social Cohesion and noted that the quality of education in the country must be of a most critical concern to those at helm of the educational policy and it should be measured up to the international standards. It doesn’t merely require increased financial allocation for the sector but careful consideration of the issues that concern the educational needs of the country. The teachers as gatekeepers of the society should be cognizant of their onus and be acquainted with the broader purpose of education as it means much more than the achieving quantitative milestones. However, such quantitative benchmarks of success in education are contrary to the global standards, where education means open-mindedness, and critical thinking and inquiry skills as prerequisites to create to new knowledge, and not just limited to securing good marks. Therefore, both quantitative and qualitative indicators better indicate as to how efficient and inclusive the system. The most crucial period is early years education as students are highly receptive to new ideas in their formative period. Gone are the days of one-to-many lectures as they are not conducive to active learning in the class. We must encourage asking questions in the class to develop future leaders. We have such an overwhelming focus on English that all other languages...

Virtual Pak-Afghan Women Leaders Conference

In continuation of its ongoing women-led exchanges as part of its Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II diplomacy – Beyond Boundaries, the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in collaboration with its Afghan counterpart, Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), organized a virtual Pak-Afghan Women Leaders Conference on June 15, 2020 on the theme, “Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Women in Pakistan and Afghanistan”. A nine-member Afghan women leaders’ delegation, led by Member of Parliament, Ms. Shinkai Karokhail, included Shukria Barakzai, Former Ambassador to Norway; Fawzia Ehsani, Former Deputy Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation; Momina Yari, Former Commissioner, Afghan Independent Election Commission; Parwarish Oriakhail, Vice President, Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI); Parasto Yari, Senior Advisor to Minister for Peace; Ghazalan Koofi, Director General, Statistics Affairs; Freshta Zuhal Rahman, Commercial Attorney and Zahra Formuly, Media Representative (RTA). Pakistan’s women-led delegation, headed by Member of National Assembly, Ms. Mehnaz Akber Aziz, included Ambassador Tasnim Aslam, Former Special Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Samina Fazil, Founder and President of Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI); Dr. Shabana Fayyaz, Head, Department of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-i-Azam University; Sameena Durrani, Senior Development Professional; Ammara Durrani, Public Policy and Human Security Expert; Amina Khan, Director, Centre for Middle East & Africa (CMEA) and Afghanistan, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI); Mome Saleem, Development Professional and Consultant, PM Youth Programme, and Samima Durrani, Development Professional and Independent Consultant. At the end, the delegates came up with joint policy recommendations. At the outset, CRSS Executive Director Imtiaz Gul welcomed both delegations to the forum and stated that adding the...

Connecting Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders in Times of COVID-19

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Islamabad, as part of its efforts to improve people to people contact and promote positive and constructive narratives between Pakistan and Afghanistan, organized a Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders’ Webinar, in collaboration with Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), Kabul, under its Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/II project “Beyond Boundaries” via Zoom, on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, with over 20 youth leaders in the fields of politics, social development sector, private sector, media, entrepreneurs, writers, graphic designers and youth activists, from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The theme of the webinar was: “Connecting Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders in Times of COVID-19”. The session was further divided into three parts. First, where the keynote speakers, one each from Pakistan and Afghanistan delivered keynote addresses on the theme “Opportunities for Cooperation between the Youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan during COVID-19 Pandemic”. Afterwards, there was an interactive session, followed by joint policy recommendations session. Amina Khan from Pakistan and Shoaib A. Rahim from Afghanistan were invited as key-note speakers and also as moderators for joint policy recommendations and interactive sessions respectively. Amina Khan is the Director, Center for Middle East and Africa (CMEA) as well as Afghanistan at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), while Shoaib A. Rahim is a development practitioner and also an Assistant Professor at Kardan University, Afghanistan. Pakistani participants included: Aleena Shah, President, Youth General Assembly (Islamabad Chapter); Saba Hurrium, Lecturer, Quaid-i-Azam University; Ayesha Zahir, Former Youth Cultural Ambassador to US; Ambreen Gul, Doctor of Pharmacy; Muhammad Akbar Khan, Legal Counsel at Pakistan State Oil; Sundas Khan, Youth Activist, RJ and Media Worker; Kashmala Mazhar, Artist and Graphic Designer; Wajih Ullah, Researcher at Institute of Peace and Diplomatic...

Connecting Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders in Times of COVID-19

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Islamabad, as part of its efforts to improve people to people contact and promote positive and constructive narratives between Pakistan and Afghanistan, organized a Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders’ Webinar, in collaboration with Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), Kabul, under its Pak-Afghan Track 1.5/II project “Beyond Boundaries” via Zoom, on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, with over 20 youth leaders in the fields of politics, social development sector, private sector, media, entrepreneurs, writers, graphic designers and youth activists, from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The theme of the webinar was: “Connecting Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders in Times of COVID-19”. The session was further divided into three parts. First, where the keynote speakers, one each from Pakistan and Afghanistan delivered keynote addresses on the theme “Opportunities for Cooperation between the Youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan during COVID-19 Pandemic”. Afterwards, there was an interactive session, followed by joint policy recommendations session. Amina Khan from Pakistan and Shoaib A. Rahim from Afghanistan were invited as key-note speakers and also as moderators for joint policy recommendations and interactive sessions respectively. Amina Khan is the Director, Center for Middle East and Africa (CMEA) as well as Afghanistan at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), while Shoaib A. Rahim is a development practitioner and also an Assistant Professor at Kardan University, Afghanistan. Pakistani participants included: Aleena Shah, President, Youth General Assembly (Islamabad Chapter); Saba Hurrium, Lecturer, Quaid-i-Azam University; Ayesha Zahir, Former Youth Cultural Ambassador to US; Ambreen Gul, Doctor of Pharmacy; Muhammad Akbar Khan, Legal Counsel at Pakistan State Oil; Sundas Khan, Youth Activist, RJ and Media Worker; Kashmala Mazhar, Artist and Graphic Designer; Wajih Ullah, Researcher at Institute of Peace and Diplomatic...