The 94th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on November 15, 2019, on the topic of “Inclusive Democracy and Social Cohesion”. Inclusive democracy is an established system in all the developed and progressive countries of the world where the decision making processes are inclusive of the minority and majority opinions. Here, all the democratic institutions observe their respective constitutional limits. The first guest on show, Ms. Shagufta Malik, Member of Provincial Assembly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noted that woman parliamentarians should be taken on board in the legislative matters and be included in the decisions making processes as a matter of inclusive policy making. This is also important in terms of gender focused reforms where the female parliamentarians can highlight the issues that concern the female populace the most, in the upper and lower houses. The second guest on show, Dr. Amir Raza from Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, noted that its only through inclusive democracy that the country can leverage its true social potential and strengthen social cohesion. It is extremely essential to give an equal importance to both the majority and minority opinions and foster unity. This also means that the members in minority in the parliament should have an equal opportunity to participate in the policy making processes. They should be able to represent and highlight the concerns of their constituents through equal participation in the legislation. The guest on phone, Ms. Naeema Kishwar noted that inclusive democracy is about the social inclusion of the disenfranchised groups of the society. About Ulasi Taroon Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse...

The 93rd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on November 08, 2019, on the topic of “Critical Thinking and Allama Iqbal's Vision”. The guests were of the opinion that critical thinking is about objective understanding of reality and it is being taught as an important academic discipline in the developed countries across the world. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s vision for youth had their role as critical thinkers as the basis of self-realization and enlightenment. The first guest on the show, Mr. Bakht Zaman Yousufzai from the Department of Journalism, University of Peshawar said that everyone has some unique qualities where it is the responsibility of parents and academia to hone the talents and potential of youth. This includes cultivating them in the critical thinking perspectives. He explained that critical thinking is a prism to view the world, not based on some stereotypical ideas and subjective understanding but in a dispassionate, logical and evidence based manner. Its increases the openness to new ideas through both learning and unlearning. Promoting critical thinking among youth requires deconstruction of and challenging pre-conceived notions with logical analysis without any personal biases. Allama Iqbal’s poetry motivated youth to pursue a prosperous future, remain hopeful and recognize the importance of small determined steps. We must encourage the culture of dialogue anchored in critical discourse. The second guest on show, Ms. Antal Zia from Urdu Department, Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar, opined that human beings are superior to all the other creators on the basis of their thinking and analytical skills. These problem solving skills enable them to better deal with socio-cultural and whole range of other issues. Sympathy and empathy are the most essential qualities of a critical thinker. Lacking these virtues may lead to negative...

The 92nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on November 01, 2019, on the topic of “Interfaith Harmony and Social Cohesion”. Given that all the countries in the world are host to some level of religious diversity, interfaith harmony becomes an extremely pertinent global phenomenon. The first guest on show, Mr. Asif Javaid, a social activist and a representative from Hindu community, noted that Pakistan is among those countries of the world where members of all leading religions live. Not only the majority faith Islam, but also the constitution and our culture extend equal rights and freedoms to the members of the communities of different faiths. We must understand that only by respecting the rights of individuals with different faiths, can we coexist peacefully. This mutual respect and understanding is an essentiality for social cohesion. Responsible citizenship demands that every member of the society should spread the message of peace and tolerance. The second guest on show, Mrs. Rubina Moeen, representative of Minhaj-ul-Quran, Peshawar wing, said that Islam means and promotes peace, not only for the Muslims but peace for the entire humanity. Cultivating acceptance perspectives and addressing social intolerance are critical to strengthen social harmony and capital; both key to development. Equal citizenry means equal rights, freedoms, opportunities and justice. A country’s reputation as a responsible member in the global state system also rests upon on the level of state’s impartiality towards its citizens and the freedoms offered to them. About Ulasi Taroon Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential...