Current Projects
SAPM Usman Dar urges Pak-Afghan youth leaders to work for regional peace & harmony
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and its sister organization Afghan Studies Center, in partnership with their Afghan counterpart OESP, held Pak-Afghan Youth Leaders Summit on November 23, 2019, in Islamabad, as part of its cross-border Pakistan-Afghanistan Track 1.5/II initiative Beyond Boundaries to provide a platform to youth leaders selected from both countries to exchange ideas and engage in a constructive dialogue on a range of issues. Around 50 youth leaders belonging to different provinces in Pakistan and Afghanistan participated in the summit. The chief guest and keynote speaker, Special Adviser to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Mr. Usman Dar, spoke to CRSS at the end of the Youth Leaders Summit. He advised the youth from both countries to work for peace and harmony in the region and encouraged for the promotion of more youth platforms as these to play their positive and constructive role. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5iLCWA2cqg
National Declamation Challenge I November 13-14, 2019, Islamabad
Pakistan Center of Excellence (PACE) organized its first National Declamation Contest, on November 13-14, 2019, in Islamabad. For the two-day declamation contest, 47 students were drawn from 14 universities across Pakistan including Air University, Federal Urdu University, University of Sargodha, University of Haripur, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, University of Sindh, University of Balochistan, Balochistan University of IT, Engineering and Management Sciences, University of Sargodha-Bhakkar Campus, FATA University, Abasyn University, and Kohat University of Science and Technology. There were 22 female and 25 male students who participated in the contest. The participants were divided in groups of 2 and 4 students and were assigned topics to compete for the final round. The topics included: Democracy is the best form of government. For or against. Religion is the main source of conflict in Pakistan. For or against. We are uplifting and helping our minorities. For or against. Diversity is a source of strength for nations. For or against. Religion as a social subject should include all the major world religions – not only the majority religion in the country concerned. For or against. Genders affect employment opportunities. For or against. Tolerance is the prerequisite for a humane society. For or against Drug use is a mental health issue, not a criminal offense. For or against. Justice be only result from rule of law. For or against. Torture is justified when used for national security. For or against. Elections in Pakistan are free and fair. For or against. Social media has a positive role in Pakistan. For or against. Is any form of terrorism justified? For or against. Cybercrime laws in Pakistan are an infringement of online privacy. For or against. Video games cause violence in teenagers. For or against. Parents should decide for their children’s career. For or against. Women are stronger than men. For or against. Modern social media makes...
Critical Thinking Must for Healthy Debate
The youth of Pakistan must think critically and weigh the information they receive before making a judgement or sharing it with others. This was the lesson imparted to young energetic debaters at a National Declamation Challenge between students from public-sector universities from all over Pakistan. Organized on Thursday under the umbrella of the Pakistan Center of Excellence (PACE), a subsidiary of the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), the two-day contest drew 47 students from 14 universities and generated intense debates on issues such as women empowerment, secular democracy, diversity, tolerance, rule of law, and religious harmony, among many others. The event centered on the principle that the processing of information requires logic and bipartisan dissection of facts to determine the truth from misinformation. The first phase of the challenge consisted of speeches made by all participants in three rounds, with students selected from each round on the basis of content, strategy, and speaking prowess. The selected 10 finalists went head-to-head in the finals, with a single victor. Prominent journalists Amber Rahim Shamsi, Safiullah Gul, and Zubair Azam were the esteemed judges for the final competition. The third position of the challenge went to Eshanul Haq, University of Balochistan, who used repetition to make an impassioned case. The second position went to Khawar Khan, University of Haripur, who delivered a strong, fervent speech. The first position went to Rida Zeneb, University of Sargodha, with a fiery speech that drew applause from the audience multiple times. The participating universities included: Air University, Federal Urdu University, University of Sargodha, University of Karachi, University of Haripur, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, University of Sindh, University of Balochistan, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Bhakkar Campus - University of Sargodha,...
Public Feedback Vital to Inclusive Democracy, Good Governance and Indiscriminate Accountability: Speakers
Human rights and economic stability are the key components of national security and a stable democracy, and young people can play a key role in this regard. The mainstay of inclusive democracy should be citizens’ grievance redressal mechanism; addressing the issues that concern them the most. These views were expressed by Dr. Jamil Ahmad Chitrali from Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Peshawar, during the 23rd round of Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshops, organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) at and in collaboration with Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar. Dr. Jamil Chitrali said there are two different views on national security and stability. The former suggests more weapons, armed forces and secured borders as a guarantee for the development and stability of a country, while the latter considers rule of law, fundamental human rights, equal citizenry and tolerance as the most essential prerequisite for democratic development and national stability. Good governance heavily depends upon and welcomes the citizens’ feedback critical to addressing issues of public concern, improving the service delivery of the institutions, and strengthening their accountability mechanism where it ultimately leads to inclusive democracy. Dr. Aamir Raza, from the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, said that rule of law means that everyone is subject to and equally accountable before law, regardless of the socio-political and economic backgrounds. Every citizen can uphold and strengthen rule of law by adherence to and promoting respect for law. Such an active and responsible role of citizens can accelerate the journey towards a peaceful and prosperous society, and a more connected future. Powers come with responsibilities and rule of law calls for a responsible exercise of such powers. Prof. Dr. Rashid Ahmed, Chairman of the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar said that...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Ulasi Taroon 2nd Annual Alumni Gathering
The 87th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on September 27, 2019, to discuss the 2nd Annual Alumni Gathering held as part of the initiative of Ulasi Taroon. The guests believed that the overwhelming response and enthusiasm of the participants indicate the need for increased motivational and leadership opportunities for youth to help them channelize their potential in the national development. The initiative of Ulasi Taroon ought to be extended and expanded so that more youth leaders can develop soft skills like tolerance, communication, conflict resolution and to understand core concepts of rule of law, social cohesion and democracy for progress and sustainable peace. The first guest on show, Mr. Ameer Hamza, student of Islamia College University, Peshawar and one of the Ulasi Taroon Alumni, noted that the power of expression is very important in human life whether we consider religion, society, politics or any other field of life as it helps us feel belonging which is critical for the overall social inclusion. Crisp and effective communication is a power and youth must master the skill to articulate their opinions in a dispassionate and focused manner as one can bring major changes with just words. Words can create miraculous impact that would otherwise not be possible through physical medium. The reception of empathetic words is so dramatic that it can change attitudes otherwise hard to penetrate. The key to peace is effective and strategic communication on core values which can persuade individuals towards peace and tolerance. The second guest on show, Mr. Aizaz from Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, added that such gatherings are paramount for cultivating the youth leaders in positive thinking and ideals of cohesion. This initiative sensitized me on the importance of resorting to volunteerism for community development with the role...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Rule of Law and Social Cohesion
The 86th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on September 20, 2019, on the theme of “Rule of Law and Social Cohesion”. The first guest on show, Mr. Faisal Shehzad, head of the Department Law and Sharia, Islamia College University, Peshawar said that law - broadly speaking - is a composition of those agreed upon principles that have been recognized and imposed by the state with the purpose to impart justice to the public. The state needs a basic set of agreed-upon rules to regulate the behavior of its citizens for peaceful coexistence. Rule of law and indiscriminate accountability are primary ingredients for socio-political and economic progress, and democratic development. If justice is imparted to all and sundry with no discrimination whatsoever, then it will automatically pave the way for social cohesion and harmony in the society. Charity begins at home and we should start from ourselves; through self-accountability and responsible citizenship to inspire the society at large into these much needed virtues. There are laws for each and everything in Pakistan but the real problem is enforcement and implementation. There cannot be different laws for different classes of the society as law is indiscriminate in nature where everyone is equally accountable and subject to law. Our constitution says that we are all equal before law irrespective of religious and racial differences. The guest on phone, Mr. Ali Gohar, barrister, said that we have to set things in order at home where our greatest problem is to accuse others easily but never realize that the problem lies with us. We are part and parcel of this system and the whole system depends on individuals. As responsible citizens, we must use social media responsible; not defaming people and rather using to promote positivity. Self-accountability is bound to uphold rule of law and social cohesion. “To...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Jinnah’s Vision for Pakistan and Social Cohesion
The 85th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on September 13, 2019, on the theme of “Jinnah’s Vision for Pakistan and Social Cohesion”. The idea was to discuss the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for a progressive country and inclusive society, in the light of his speeches and quotes. The guests on show said that Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision is clearly manifested in his well known address to the Constituent Assembly in the port city of Karachi on 11 August 1947, three days before the creation of Pakistan, where he said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state”. “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three”, the first guest on show, Mr. Mohamad Iqbal, Lecturer, Department of Pakistan Studies, University of Peshawar, quoted an English historian Stanley Wolpert on Jinnah’s role in the creation of Pakistan. It shows his greatness and charisma he had a visionary leader, he added. Quaid-e-Azam believed in democracy and rule of law all his life. His vision for Pakistan is highlighted by his speeches and interactions with the people which shows that he wanted a democratic, tolerant and an inclusive country. He underlined social harmony and cohesion; stressing equal rights and equal representation for all sections of society. These are the fundamentally essential prerequisites for and basis of democracy, progress and prosperity. The second guest on show, Mr. Jawad, a faculty member from Bannu Medical College, noted that Jinnah believed in inclusion; we saw that when Pakistan came into...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Role of Media for Social Cohesion
The 84th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on September 06, 2019, on the theme of “Role of Media for Social Cohesion”. The first guest on show, Mr. Safiullah Gul, Bureau Chief, Aap TV, Peshawar said that the role of media is vital - for social cohesion and strengthening the fabrics that socially connect the people - especially in the diverse societies. Media has been actively enhancing the political education in the society for quite some time now through all its forms like electronic, social and print. Its role is undeniable where it has developed a culture of debate over the issues of public concern through its demand oriented, public information and participatory programming. To establish social cohesion and bond among the masses, media - to some extent - has focused on the importance of society development and inclusion; developing civic sense through drama production, positive messaging and various other forms of strategic dissemination. Role of women in media needs to be improved greatly to have gender inclusive programming. The ethical standards and code of conduct are absolutely paramount for improving role of media for social cohesion and positive messaging, he concluded. The second guest in the show Mr. Arshad Aziz Malik, Editor, Daily Jang Newspaper, Peshawar opined that our media is quite responsible and playing its role in a very positive manner and reporting on Kashmir issue is a good example of it. We need to focus on the capacity building of journalists to enable them play a positive role for social cohesion, he concluded. The third guest on phone, Ms. Farzana Ali, Bureau Chief, Aaj News, Peshawar, said that both international media and Pakistani media are raising their voice on the issue of Kashmir and the brazen violation of human rights in the valley. Women are most vulnerable and affected in this situation; suffering from both...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Soft Skills Development Among Youth
The 83rd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on August 30, 2019, on the theme of “Soft Skills Development Among Youth”. The endeavor aimed to discuss how the education with some core values of humanity at the core can be the most inclusive form of education ever. The guests opined that there is a whole range of soft skills development options through formal, informal and even non-formal education and trainings opportunities. The first guest on show, Mr. Khalid Mehmood, one of the Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshop’s alumni and a student from the Department of Social Work, University of Peshawar, explained that a responsible citizen is one who is well aware of not only one’s own rights and responsibilities but also the law of the land; especially constitution and its core values of social peace. The key to successful conflict resolution is dialogue which has a proven problem solving potency no matter how big the issue. As a party to dialogue for conflict resolution, you must have the virtues of patience, tolerance and empathy and be able to understand and respect others opinions. We can change our story by celebrating our diversity and focusing on commonalities instead of letting differences deter our cohesion and collective vision. Also important is the propagation of positive messaging to delegitimize the extremist ideologies. The second guest on show, Ms. Ayesha Yousufzai, a student from the Department of Journalism, University of Peshawar, said that soft skills are an extremely essential contemporary requirement for our human capital development and these include but not limited to communication skills, problem solving, teamwork, gratitude, tolerance, leadership etc. Soft skills development is also very important for responsible citizenship and to expect all members of the society to play their role in national development and...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Values-based Education and Social Cohesion
The 82nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on August 23, 2019, on the theme of “Values-based Education and Social Cohesion”. The endeavor aimed to discuss how the education with some core values of humanity at the core can be the most inclusive form of education ever. The guests on show were of the view that there should be an extended focus on the development of social; values based education as well as provision of unified educational system irrespective of any differences of class, gender, age and culture as a key to promote social cohesion and national integration. The first guest on show, Mr. Jahangir Adil, Senior Instructor at Provincial Institute of Teachers Education (PITE), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, opined that the very basic purpose of education is to enable an individual to the extent where one can distinguish between good and bad as well as nourish all the critical aspects of personality. According to article 25A of the Constitution of Pakistan, basic education is a fundamental right of every citizen which the state is bound to fulfill, irrespective of color, caste or creed and that too free of cost. He explained that there is an essential need is to inculcate and introduce an ethics and values based unified educational system because the purpose of education is not only earning a degree but also to prepare harbingers of peace; individuals who further develop the society. Inclusive curriculum requires consideration of the emotional and soft skills development needs. The educational curriculum development process has to be inclusive of the social development needs and not just the market needs. It must embed the values key to social peace, coexistence and cohesion. Periodic review of educational policies can also serve as a significant hallmark to achieve this outcome. He concluded that our policies are effective but they should be...
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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.