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...

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...