The third and fourth rounds of Ulasi Taroon Online Workshops discussed the topics of Rule of Law and Interfaith Harmony, respectively, 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. The third round discussed the challenges of rule of law especially during the COVID-19 times and the role of youth as responsible citizens and the hope of the nation. Mr. Waqar Ahmad Kharal, SSP Operations, Mardan, said that the concept of rule of law - since its inception - has underscored that everyone is subject to law no matter how powerful, an idea that underpins equality and indiscriminate accountability in the society. Discussing the fundamental principles of rule of law, Mr. Kharral said that equality before the law is most essential prerequisite for rule of law and the law should be implemented across the board. We can’t expect rule of law to prevail in a country where there is no equality before the law and citizen’s equal entitlement to social, political and economic rights and opportunities. The public participation in the decision-making processes is another essentiality for rule of law as it develops the public trust in government, enhances public accountability and leads to transparent and inclusive decision making. Access to justice is also one of the basic principles of the rule of law. The citizens’ voices, rights and inclusion suffer the most in the absence of accessible justice. Rule of law requires the right of equal access to justice for all and transparent, non-discriminatory and accountable services. Propagating knowledge and information about the citizen’s constitutional rights also improves their access to justice as empowered citizens and ultimately...

Every crisis has a profound impact on our way of living and governance. Same is the case with COVID-19 which poses a number of public health, economic and democratic challenges not only for Pakistan but globally. Despite all the devastating effects of COVID-19, it gives us the opportunities of innovations like we see in the public health and many other sectors, to think outside the box, rethink strategies and explore new venues where the ones first to scramble to harness these opportunities will the ones to reap the early benefits. The remarks were made by Prof. Dr. Aamer Raza, Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar during the second round of Ulasi Taroon Online Workshops organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) to discuss the Impact of COVID-19 on democracy. The workshop was digitally attended by around 20 youth leaders from different public and private sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and held as part of the Center’s efforts to continue to cultivate the young through online conduits for communication, in the absence of physical platforms of youth engagement and development. Dr. Aamer said that democratic governance is where the will of the public is the core consideration and reflected in the matters of governance. Whether its war, financial crises or an epidemic like COVID-19, extraordinary situations and challenges force to take inevitable extraordinary and emergency measures. While these situations may last for a certain period of time, but the measures thus taken can become a new normal which - in case of COVID-19 - can be pose a threat to democracy. Incase of COVID-19, some of the mitigation measures can pose a threat to democracy if they are continued beyond the crises period where the citizens continue to be deprived of some of their fundamental rights that they temporarily vested with the government given the seriousness of the crises. The powers vested with the government during such crises should...

The role of youth to tackle COVIC-19 figured prominently during the first round of Ulasi Taroon Online Workshops, organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) on the topic of Social Cohesion in COVID-19 Times and Role of Youth. The workshop was digitally attended by over 20 youth leaders from different public and private sector universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and held as part of the Center’s efforts to continue to cultivate the young through online conduits for communication, in the absence of physical platforms of youth engagement and development. The participating youth leaders were of the view that COVID-19 needs to be taken much more seriously by the Pakistani society given its devastating human cost. While it is important to avoid panic and stoking public fears, the state should utilize all available forms of media to sensitize the masses on the seriousness of the issue and create public awareness regarding the precautionary measures, as facts, not fear, will stop COVID-19. We can survive and respond to the social impact of COVID-19 through social cohesion. While we should fight this pandemic with courage and bravery, but not let go of wisdom and much needed precautions. There is a huge onus on the educated members of the society to stop the spread of misinformation and only share/ pass on the factual information as their opinion is valued more in the society and a small negligence on their part can have fatal repercussions. The youth – even while staying at home - can continue to play their role to tackle COVID-19 by critical observation of the situation, dispelling the misinformation, and defy and report the harmful practices that are jeopardizing the safety of the community at large. The of role of citizenry is at the core of COVID-19 response mechanism; manifest in the fact that only those countries have been able to control the COVID-19 outbreak where the citizens have complied with the governments’ regulations and instructions...