Current Projects
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Post Globalized Era and Social Cohesion
The 102nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on the topic of “Post Globalized Era and Social Cohesion”. The first guest on show, Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), noted that globalization is such a phenomenon that connects different parts of the world and leads to greater interaction among various populations. This results in the expansion of international culture, and economic and political activities beyond the state borders. Globalization has created a free market economy and the world has become virtually a borderless planet. The post globalized era may pose some challenges but at the same time, it means many unprecedented opportunities of peace, cohesion and development. Public awareness about the opportunities of globalization is vital to harness its true potential for connected growth and development. The young population around the world can make the most out of it by learning, practicing and promoting the global values key to social cohesion. The policy makers should consider allocating resources for youth development given their incessant energies, talent and potential. The second guest on show Mr. Amir Raza, Lecturer, Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, said that globalization has shaped the world like the web where everyone – including states and societies – is interconnected with and interdependent on each other. It is this complex interdependence that has created joint high stakes for peace. Globalization is a healthy phenomenon for social cohesion and helps promoting its core values. It should be seen in its universality not as exclusively a western concept. For the countries like Pakistan, it can provide a much-needed opportunity of tourism to not only expose the local communities to foreign cultures but also portray a positive image of the country abroad. About Ulasi Taroon Ulasi...
COVID-19: Misinformation As Lethal As Lack Of Information: Speakers
The Afghan Studies Center (ACS) goes virtual with its first-ever online dialogue on the theme “Impact of COVID-19 on Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Role of Youth”. Over 20 participants from different parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan and two from the United Kingdom joined the session to discuss the subject theme and put forward their recommendations in this regard. Youth from both the sides were of the view that we have to look after each other as there is no longer a “me” and a “you”. There is only us. The young lot needs to be determined and committed. We can defeat this virus by banding together and taking it seriously. We have to come up with ideas to help raise awareness. Youth really has to come together to contribute solutions to this problem, and we must convince our peers to do the same, instead of creating additional issues, remarked participants from both countries. Hizbullah Baryal from Afghanistan stated that modern solutions are needed for education in Afghanistan – a sector deeply impacted by this global crisis. Perhaps it is time to use this as an opportunity to revamp our educational systems. Adding to this Ahsan Hamid Durrani from Pakistan said that as we implement online solutions, we need to be mindful that the availability of the internet is not uniform for all students in both countries. The education system needs to come up with alternative ideas as well, instead of just sticking to virtual education prototype. Danyal Hayat from CECOS University Peshawar, while sharing employment side of the COVID 19 impact, stated that at least half a million textile and garment industry workers had been dismissed in Punjab province alone. 12.3 million and 18.5 million people in various sectors may lose their jobs. A lack of written labor contracts, inadequate legal protections, and poor enforcement of labor laws and regulations could heighten the problems during this crisis. Aleena Shah, President Youth General Assembly (YGA) Pakistan and Safia...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Good Governance and Social Cohesion
The 101st radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 03, 2020, on the topic of “Good Governance and Social Cohesion”. “In the contemporary world, democracy is the most viable, inclusive, desirable and sustainable form of government as it is of the people, by the people, for the people”, resonated with all the guest speakers. The first guest on show, Mr. Ajmal Khan, a lecturer of political science from Edwards College, Peshawar, opined that the human rights, cultural diversity and social cohesion are among the core principles of democratic governance where every citizen has equal opportunities for social mobility, quality education and participation in the decision making processes, just to name a few. Therefore, this form of governance is not only conducive for the provision of fundamental human rights to all the citizens, but also to uphold rule of law and bolster across the board accountability. For democracy to flourish, not only the citizenry should be responsible but also the political leadership where they should adopt the democratic values before propagation. Institutional transparency and separation of powers where they observe their respective constitutional limits is crucial for socio-political and economic progress, as well as democratic development. The second guest on show, Mr. Imad Khalil, an advocate by profession, said that democratic governance is all about citizens empowerment and equality, accountability and rule of law. Its overarching focus in public empowerment and prosperity is manifested in its fundamental principles. Youth is backbone of the society and need opportunities and capacity for participation in the political and decision making processes as well as national development. State must not miss this opportunity to strengthen democracy by allocating resources for youth leadership development; equipping them with the...
Misinformation as lethal as lack of information amid COVID-19 pandemic, stress Youth Leaders from Pakistan and Afghanistan
Afghan Studies Center (ACS) goes virtual with its first ever online dialogue on the theme “Impact of COVID-19 on Pakistan and Afghanistan and the Role of Youth”. Over 20 participants from different parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan and two from UK joined the session to discuss the subject theme and put forward their recommendations in this regard. Youth from both the sides were of the view that we have to look after each other as there is no longer a “me” and a “you”. There is only us. The young lot needs to be determined and committed. We can defeat this virus by banding together and taking it seriously. We have to come up with ideas to help raise awareness. Youth really has to come together to contribute solutions to this problem, and we must convince our peers to do the same, instead of creating additional issues, remarked participants from both countries. Hizbullah Baryal from Afghanistan stated that modern solutions are needed for education in Afghanistan - a sector deeply impacted by this global crisis. Perhaps it is time to use this as an opportunity to revamp our educational systems. Adding to this Ahsan Hamid Durrani from Pakistan said that as we implement online solutions, we need to be mindful that the availability of the internet is not uniform for all students in both countries. The education system needs to come up with alternative ideas as well, instead of just sticking to virtual education prototype. Danyal Hayat from CECOS University Peshawar, while sharing employment side of the COVID 19 impact, stated that at least half a million textile and garment industry workers had been dismissed in Punjab province alone. 12.3 million and 18.5 million people in various sectors may lose their jobs. A lack of written labor contracts, inadequate legal protections, and poor enforcement of labor laws and regulations could heighten the problems during this crisis. Aleena Shah, President Youth General Assembly (YGA) Pakistan and Safia Ibrahimkhel from Afghanistan...
Q1 Security Report – 2020
Casualties from Violence in Pakistan – Q1, 2020 Pakistan suffered 224 violence-related casualties (140 fatalities and 84 injuries) during the first quarter of 2020. Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) recorded the highest number of fatalities by a wide margin. Balochistan had the second highest number of fatalities (40), followed by Punjab (14), and Sindh (9). Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) had three fatalities while Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) reported no incidents of violence (table 1). [docxpresso file="https://crss.pk/wp-content/uploads/CRSS-Security-Report-Q1-2020-2020.odt" comments="true" SVG="true"]
COVID-19 Myths Vs Truth
Myth 11: The hand sanitizer is as good as soap and water. Truth: The virus is weak, and will die from hand sanitizer, but there is no substitute for soap and water. For Cleaning surfaces, most cleaning products will work. A Public information Campaign by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
COVID-19 Myths Vs Truth
A Public information Campaign by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS). Myth 1: the virus will die in Warm/hot Weather. Truth: There is no data to Support this. It is likely that hot weather will help in that the virus will not survive long on hot surfaces, but it will not die altogether.
Weekly Report on Coronavirus Cases
Global cases - March 16-24, 2020 Since the outbreak of Coronavirus (officially labeled SARS-COV-2) in China, the world has watched in horror as this disease has spread through 186 countries. Initially it was believed to remain confined to China and it would be brought under control very soon. In less than three months, it has become the most threatening pandemic of our lifetimes engulfing almost every part of the world. The data maintained by the Worldometer website covers some of the most important aspects of this pandemic. We have used their data to prepare this report. The table below shows the African continent as the least affected of this disease while the European continent has now surpassed Asia, the continent or origination. North and South Americas emerge as the third most affected continent. [docxpresso file="https://crss.pk/wp-content/uploads/Weekly-Report-on-Coronavirus-cases-3-26-2020-1.odt" comments="true" SVG="true"]
You Need WAR ROOMS to fight COVID19 Mr. PM
Published: March 23, 2020 5:29 pm Open Letter to PM Khan By: Imtiaz Gul Respectable Prime Minister Imran Khan, Keeping in view the rapid surge in COVID-19 cases, and your concern for the poor of Pakistan, your government needs a smart response mechanism that tracks, identifies, and quantifies the number of people likely to be affected in the virus-induced socio-economic crisis. The “COVID-19 News Bulletin-1” put out by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) reckons that about 10 million families may be directly affected, requiring the government to cough up Rs. 55.25 billion for one quarter, which can be covered under the Rs.180 billion Benazir Income Support Prgoramme (BISP). Additionally, daily wage workers need to be taken into account as well. Although the federal and all provincial governments are doing their best to deal with the impending socio-economic crisis, Centre for Research & Security Studies (CRSS) proposes professionally coordinated management of the situation through round-the-clock COVID-19 War Rooms at the federal and provincial levels. The lynchpins for these War Rooms should be the Deputy Commissioners of Pakistan’s 154 districts – who can identify all the vulnerable groups of population, i.e., low income families, daily wage workers, construction laborers, restaurant workers and contract hotel staff etc. Once the numbers are at hand the 3,200 post offices and 23,000 extra departmental sub-offices of the Pakistan Post across the country can be used to disburse cash payments to the needy – even as far as Khunjeraab up north. The DC’s must be made responsible and accountable for the legitimate distribution of these funds. CRSS suggests cash-grants only because using another institutional layer such as the Utility Stores Corporation, which not only gobbles up administrative funds but also are a source of pilferage.
Intra-Afghan dialogue; a window of opportunity but a tougher nut to crack, concludes Pak-Afghan Track II moot in Islamabad
Islamabad has been extending an olive branch to Kabul for long, but Afghans look at it with sheer suspicion. In contrast, often, Afghanistan first asks Pakistan to get involved in the peace process, but the moment Pakistan jumps in, Afghan government gets upset with it. This contradictory approach needs to be decoded. On the other side, Pakistan sees its interest being threatened from the Afghan soil. So, amid all this, people to people contact is of sheer importance and forums like this help in clearing such notions, says moderator Kathy Gannon, Pakistan-Afghanistan Expert and Senior Journalist at Associated Press, while speaking at the sixth meeting of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Committee Member (PAJC) - under the Centre for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II initiate - Beyond Boundaries. The meeting was structured for discussion around the dynamics of intra-Afghan dialogue, the fears regarding the future of Afghanistan in the wake of possible new set-up post intra-Afghan talks, regional interests attached to Afghan peace process, the future of Afghanistan’s economic viability, Pak-Afghan bilateral relations, people to people contacts, along with other important factors that comes into the equation. The meeting was attended by the influentials on both sides, including senior parliamentarians, former ambassadors, ex-military officials and experts on the subject matter. With the signing of US-Taliban peace deal and recent election fiasco in Afghanistan - two rival Presidents swearing-in at the same time - there are fears over the sustainability of the peace deal and concerns over its long-term consequences. This prompts cautious optimism and wary cynicism, in particular considering that the next step - an intra-Afghan dialogue - will be a bumpy road to ride through. Delegates from both sides, shared the view that first and foremost, without internal impetus to change the existing state of affairs within Afghanistan cannot go...
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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.