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...

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...

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...

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...

The 81st radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on August 16, 2019, on the theme of “Ideals of Social Cohesion”. The program emphasized on the provision of equal rights to the citizens, awareness of and acceptance for diversity, inclusive democracy and rule of law as fundamental ideals of social cohesion. The first guest on show, Mr. Nangiyal Azam Khan, a public administration student and one of the   Ulasi Taroon Alumni, said that social cohesion is social bond between the people living together in a society and a social fabric that binds them together. There are some fundamental elements that are involved in establishment and sustainment of social cohesion in a society. A cooperative relationship established between the individuals of the society is the first and foremost element and essentiality for social cohesion, however, that varies across different cultures and societies. The role of social actors, change agents and leaders is the most important element to bring cohesion in the society, where firmness of character is a necessary quality of the leader. All the citizens must have awareness about their rights enshrined in the constitution as human rights education can greatly decrease the vulnerability of citizens against the human rights abuses. The institutional reformation is also an outcome of the collective public pressure mobilized by the constitutionally learned citizens. The constitution of Pakistan provides equal rights to all the citizens regardless of their religious, social, economic or political backgrounds and proper implementation of such constitutional provisions is absolutely essential to counter and prevent extremism in the society. Social media has an incredible potential to drive social change among the society and can prompt the masses into responsible citizenship given its true power leveraged. Same is the case with...