Article 25: Challenges and Measures The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) focused on Article 25 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which is based on the right to good living standards for every individual and the challenges created by anthropogenic activities of human beings to achieve the entitled standards of life by opting for plastic in their daily activities. The guest on the show, Dr. Nadia, a climate expert by profession talked about the fundamental human rights and said that it is the constitutional and international right of all the human beings to have a clean and healthy environment under Article 25 of UDHR. She was of the view that with the advancement in technology and increasing needs of human beings the environment has been effected through multiple anthropogenic activities, out of which first and foremost is the use of plastic in our daily lives in different forms e.g. household, use of plastic utensils and polythene bags etc. While talking about the health hazards of plastic she was of the view that plastic by composition is a polymer which is non-biodegradable in nature due to which it affects human health if used frequently. She elaborated that use of plastic may cause cancer, depression, hormonal disturbances and many other genetic problems in human beings. She further added that use of plastic is not only hazardous for humans but it equally affects aquatic life and one of the reasons for infrequent change of climate around the globe is the contamination of our surroundings because of dangerous activities of human beings. She said that we should avoid or at least reduce the use of polythene bags in our routine activities to tackle the alarming situation and improve our environmental conditions through these practices. The second guest on the show, Mr. Haris Khan, a social worker, said that although the use of plastic bags is banned by the government of Pakistan still it is a big industry and millions of people are...

25th Constitutional Amendment, Initiatives and Hopes The latest episode of Jarga Marka (Debate and Council) was dedicated to the first anniversary of the 25th constitutional amendment. The progress and achievements in one year’s tenure were discussed in detail. The guest on the show, Mr. Ejaz Mohmand, an advocate by profession said that although the bill was moved and approved in the National Assembly to merge the tribal district with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa previous year, according to which it was hoped that the tribal people will get the same benefits as that of the other provinces. However, since its transition phase people of erstwhile FATA are still looking forward to the effective implementation of administrative and constitutional measures. On the question of NFC award share, he said that government has no proper plan for giving the proper share of NFC award to the tribal districts neither it is the justified share of FATA because government already has to pay 110 billion pending share amount in the previous budget. Now 3% share has been announced. He elaborated that the changes which were expected to be done as a result of a merger are still in question. He further said that merger and all the other things linked to it are limited to the paper documentation and no practical implementation has been ensured by the government till date. Things are processing slowly which needs to be noticed. The second guest, Mr. Shaukat Yousufzai, Provincial Information Minister was of the view that although things are in the initial stages and progress has been done in this regard. We have established hospital and schools in various districts of the merged districts; the recruitment in the police force is a complicated process which is in progress. He illustrated that a 3% share in NFC award is awarded which would be invested in the developmental projects. In a field-based report by Mr. Abdur Razzaq shared that as a result of 25th constitutional amendment FCR has been abolished...

Good Governance and Price Control The recent episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) discussed the concept of good governance and price control in Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan prices of food items and other utilities have skyrocketed due to which people are suffering on a large scale. The guest on the show, Assistant Commissioner, Sarah Khan said that the concept of good governance has evolved from a passive and one-way authoritative concept to an active and participatory model of feedback where people are engaged too. She said that district government is trying to give subsidy to people by fixing the prices of food items to facilitate the public, although the prices of all the items depend upon the supply and demand chain mechanism. People, on the other hand, are also responsible for the increasing prices as they do not verify the prices from the utility store owners and pay as per demand. While highlighting the efforts of district administration she said that they are putting in efforts and in addition to that they have also raided different places to eliminate illegal practices in the subsidy bazaars established by the government at different spots of Peshawar. The second guest on the show, Ahmed Ali Shah, Food Safety Officer at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Department, said that they have established a complaint cell with the aim of engaging locals in the quality standardization process and followed by strict actions against those who violate the laws. He further said that it is the priority of the Food Department to not target the locally established businesses of the people which are using sub-standard materials in preparing food items but to bring them to the approved standards and keep them under proper check and balance. The guest on call Mr. Gurmeet Singh, a Jumrud based shopkeeper, said that he is giving subsidy on all items of his utility stores to the Muslims in respect to the holy month of Ramadan and he is receiving a tremendous response...

Role and Responsibilities of Religious Leaders The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) discussed the role and responsibilities of religious leaders in promoting peace. The first guest in the show, Mr. Mujahid Ali, a religious scholar, said that we are the successors of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his life is the greatest example for all of us in terms of promoting peace, interfaith harmony and tolerance. He said that as religious leaders have a strong say in the society, therefore, it is their responsibility to use their influence in a positive manner and spread the word of love and peace. He was of the view that although we are supposed to follow the principle of tolerance in our daily lives on a regular basis we usually fail to do so. The second guest, Mr. Gurpal Singh, a religious leader from the Sikh community, said that religious leaders must emphasize on the commonalities as the teachings of Sikh religion are also for peace and harmony. He said that according to Sikhism humanity is the biggest religion of the world. The four doors of our Gurdwara (holy place) represents that people with different religious background can come and sit there as the symbol for brotherhood and harmony and this is a lesson for religious leaders of all faiths. Talking about the role of women in peace process both the guests agreed that without the involvement of women and improving their status of education and awareness the process and efforts for peace cannot be fulfilled. The report by Mr. Inamullah stated that because of the difference of opinions among different sects, the maintenance of peace cannot be fulfilled and only religious leaders by putting their efforts can make it happen. The report by Mr. Afzal Mohmand elaborated that unity and efforts for establishing peace and harmony is the need of the hour. We should be united and portray a message to the world that we are not Sikhs, Hindus, Balochis or Pukhtoons, but just Pakistanis. Five calls were received...