Current Projects
Sabawoon Showcase Ranra May 2, 2019
Mental Health and its Challenges The latest episode of Ranra (Light) discussed the right to better health facilities in the context of mental health and the challenges faced by the general public. The guest on the show, Dr. Ahmad Zaib said that provisions for better mental health facilities should be the government’s top priority. Research says that a large population of Pakistan is battling depression and other mental illnesses mainly due to poverty, unemployment, domestic problems, social injustices, violence and sense of insecurity. He stressed that this segment needs special attention of the society and government. However, neither mental health services are up to par nor enough psychiatrists are available in the country. He noted that mental health is a major problem nowadays and in order to protect children from becoming victims of depression it is necessary to spread awareness at schools as mentally distressed people are the most neglected segment of the society and even their family members often ignore them. Dr. Ahmad shared that unfortunately females are the main victims of mental diseases as they have very fewer opportunities to express themselves. He said that we lack active listening and many mental issues can be sorted out just by listening and expressing ourselves. Ms. Humaira Mahwish added that it’s the negative attitude on part of the adults that females hardly get the opportunity to express themselves. Moreover, freedom of expression once suppressed, leads to physical symptoms of sickness. The first report by Mr. Anwar Anjum from Swat shared the findings of a survey conducted in 2018 that over 50 million people suffer from mental disorders in the country out of which 57% are women and 25% are men. In our society, psychological disorders are not considered an illness, thus patients are deprived of treatment that can lead to many health complications. The second report by Ms. Ceena Naeem identified poverty, unemployment, social injustices,...
Sabawoon Showcase Jarga Maraka April 30, 2019
Polio Campaign and Role of Media The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) discussed the recent false news about the polio vaccine and the hype created by media for. The show also highlighted the initiatives on part of the provincial government. The guest invited, Dr. Akram Shah, noted that Polio virus had been long eradicated in all the countries except for Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Till the recent years, a number of victims of this disease dropped to just six due to consistent efforts over the last three decades. However, a recent incident in Peshawar has marred all such efforts and posed hurdles in this campaign. He elaborated that some of the vested interest groups has spread a systematic rumor about the adverse health impact of polio drops over some school children. Although mainstream media stood by the authorities and declared it propaganda but social media created havoc all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and as a result almost 50% of parents are now refusing to let their children get vaccinated. He emphasized that the concerned officials have to make great efforts now to pave the way. The second guest, Molana Ghous Ulkabeer said that it is imperative to bring social media under a set of regulations and ethics while ulema , intellectuals and the civil society should be mobilized to make this campaign a success. A field-based report by Mr. Abdul Razaq shared that Pakistan is a country where children are still affected by polio. Recently due to polio campaign, this disease is controlled considerably and according to the Health Department, in 2014 there were 306 cases, 54 in 2015, 20 in the following year and currently, six children are affected by polio virus. The report by Mr. Afzal Mohmand highlighted that the recent propaganda and rumors harmed polio campaign drastically, and many cases of refusal were reported. A total of eight calls were received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and...
China Watch [April 22-28] China to provide 90 percent market access to Pakistan under second FTA: Chinese Envoy
Chiness Ambassador Yao Jing announced that Beijing has agreed to provide 90% market access to Pakistani commodities under the revised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) while in return Islamabad would have to provide only 65% access of its market share to the Chinese side. Moreover,Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang have signed the ML-1 Railway agreement in Beijing. Prime Minister Imran Khan said that Pakistan and China are entering the next phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the main goal of which is to lift people out of poverty. About 70% work on the 870 MW Suki Kinari Hydropower Project (SKHPP) being executed under CPEC, has been completed. Pakistan to access 90% of Chinese market China’s Ambassador Yao Jing announced that Beijing has agreed to provide 90% market access to Pakistani commodities under the revised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) while in return Islamabad would have to provide only 65% access of its market share to the Chinese side. Both the countries are expected to sign the second FTA that took almost eight years to finalise. He said that three major initiatives are to be signed during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan in terms of broadening of relations between two sides, including industrial cooperation and launching of the first Special Economic Zone at Rashakai, kick-starting social sector cooperation with 20,000 scholarships for education and finalising technical level agreement on Railways’ ML-1.[i] Pakistan, China sign ML-1 railways agreement Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang have signed the ML-1 Railway agreement in Beijing. Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed called it a great day in the history of Pakistan Railways. Mr. Rashid announced that under the project, a double track from Peshawar to Karachi will be laid, adding that the speed of trains on the new track will be 160 kilometres per hour. Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with his...
Sabawoon Showcase Ranra April 25, 2019
Right to Health, HIV, Aids, Hepatitis C causes and prevention The latest episode of Ranra (Light) discussed the right to health and particularly HIV, Aids and Hepatitis C. The show discussed different preventive measures with reference to these diseases. As per media reports in the year 2018 150,000 cases were reported all across. The guest on the show, Mr. Tariq Mehmood, a representative of Dost foundation noted that as far as the attitude towards analyzing the problem is concerned to heal this concerned, people are not bothered about their health. He added that general masses have to be care full with self-medication, poor health facilities, lack of awareness particularly the syringes used, blood transfusion and the shaving blades are the leading causes for the mentioned diseases. He said that HIV isn't gender specific and both male and female are vulnerable to the disease and the major precaution is to restrict oneself to the actual partner. While talking about Hepatitis C he said that the virus takes at least ten years to get identified. The symptoms aren’t visible and it is a silent killer. He suggested that regular medical checkups are important whatever the circumstances may be. The second guest, Dr. Ismail said that Hepatitis C can be cured if diagnosed timely with proper health facilities. A field-based report by Mr. Anwar Anjum from Swat, highlighted the causes and precautions for Aids. According to the respondents 350 patients are currently registered officially. A second report by Mr. Rehan shed light on Hepatitis C its symptoms and Remedies A total of four calls were received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance values such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry, social cohesion. The show airs...
Collaborative Workshops and Debates-April 26-27, 2019, Kohat
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted the fourth two-day PACE Collaborative workshops and debates for young university students, on April 26-27, 2019, in Kohat. The workshop was held at Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat. The workshop was conducted under the umbrella of the Pakistan Center of Excellence (PACE), a counter-radicalization, pluralistic values focused project, in collaboration with the Dutch Government. Participants included young students from Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat and FATA University, FR Kohat. Project Manager, Ms. Farhana Kanwal started off the workshop with an introductory session and welcomed the participants to the workshop. Ms. Kanwal said that PACE is a counter radicalization initiative by CRSS which was in September 2015 and completed its first phase in September 2018. The core objective of PACE is to indoctrinate the habit of questioning and critical thinking among youth of Pakistan. PACE encourages to point at preconceived narratives and notions and embed the national discourse in constitutionalism and the rule of law. She further described that how important is the concept of equal citizenry and its implementation in today’s Pakistan. She stressed on adopting the framework of equal citizenry and that is the only way we can come up as a rational nation internationally. A state’s responsibility is to protect its citizens rather making the laws which create a segregation among them and this is where discrimination starts. A state is not supposed to view its citizens through the prism of religion as it leads to disparities among the people. Ms. Farhana elaborated on the success and achievements of PACE in its first phase and also the objectives of PACE Evolution. The Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Jamil Ahmed of Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, expressed his immense over conducting PACE Collaborative Workshop on their campus. He said that the purpose of such...
Press Release: Combating political patriarchy remains a challenge in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Women around the world are still principally absent from national and local decision-making bodies, struggle to have a meaningful role in the economic domain, and face exclusion from political processes. Despite representing half of the global population, women comprise less than 20 percent of the world’s legislators. From discrimination and violence to a lack of support and resources, women face countless challenges to participation in the civic and political life of their countries. Strengthening women’s rights and addressing barriers to political participation are critical to achieving gender equality and female empowerment, according to Ms. Natasha Rathore, Manager Programmes at Aurat Foundation (AF), who was speaking at Afghan Studies Center’s 23rd Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue in Islamabad. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan have reserved seats for women to ensure their substantive political representation. However, the specific modalities of gender quotas and women posted through this mechanism become key determinants that continue to negatively affect their political effectiveness. Women elected through quotas are reported to feel obliged to act for women as a group and are inspired to bring new issues to the table. However, majority seeks to disassociate themselves from the quota and women’s issues to demonstrate that they are ‘serious’ politicians. At the same time, many have been accused of acting only as proxies for men and of being excessively loyal to party leaders. Thus, a question arises, are quotas a sufficient mode of intervention to allow for a quantitative and qualitative decrease in the gender disparity or we need to do a lot more? Youth from Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed on the point that combating political patriarchy remains a challenge in both countries. They emphasized less on the electoral process or the overall system and stressed more on the need to change the mindset. The key goes back to economics; only financially strong women can work...
Sabawoon Showcase Jarga Maraka April 23, 2019
Senior Citizens and their Rights The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (debate and counsel) discussed equal citizenry for senior citizens and their constitutional rights. The guest on the show, Mr. Abdul Ghafoor, Director Social Welfare Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, noted that the department is trying to improve shelter homes accompanied with effective implementation of 2014 Act for senior citizens.He added that there are about 2.8 million senior citizens in the province. Anyone the age of 60 is considered a senior citizen in our country. According to 2014 Act of KP Government, our senior citizens are entitled to enjoy certain concessions and privileges in our society. Even though our culture endorses respect for the elderly however, when it comes to their rights they are commonly overlooked. He elaborated that the Social Welfare Department has connected all such rights to the issuance of a special card bearing a logo for senior citizens which unfortunately has not been issued since the past five years. Our people need to have an understanding of the concept before such cards are issued in order to give proper rights and concessions to senior citizens who have spent their lives for the state, family and society. The second guest on the show Mr. Hamza Jahangir suggested that after reaching the age of 60 and above ID cards should be issued for life. Health facilities and financial support must be made accessible for such senior citizens. A field-based report by Mr. Gul Hussain highlighted the concerns of senior citizens in the merged tribal districts. The second report by Ms. Asma Gul shared the details of the 2014 Act for senior citizens and its implementation. A total of four calls were received during the show. About Sabawoon : Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) since 2011. It began as a counter-radicalization, strategic communications program, designed to highlight and promote the fundamental governance...
Collaborative Workshops and Debates-April 24-25, 2019, Peshawar
The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted the third two-day PACE Collaborative workshops and debates for young university students, on April 24-25, 2019, in Peshawar. The workshop was held at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar. The workshop was conducted under the umbrella of the Pakistan Center of Excellence (PACE), a counter-radicalization, pluralistic values focused project, in collaboration with the Dutch Government. Participants included young students from Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, CECOS University and Abasyn University, Peshawar. Project Manager, Ms. Farhana Kanwal started off the workshop with an introductory session and welcomed the participants to the workshop. Ms. Kanwal said that PACE is a counter radicalization initiative by CRSS which was in September 2015 and completed its first phase in September 2018. The core objective of PACE is to indoctrinate the habit of questioning and critical thinking among youth of Pakistan. PACE encourages to point at preconceived narratives and notions and embed the national discourse in constitutionalism and the rule of law. She further described that how important is the concept of equal citizenry and its implementation in today’s Pakistan. She stressed on adopting the framework of equal citizenry and that is the only way we can come up as a rational nation internationally. A state’s responsibility is to protect its citizens rather making the laws which create a segregation among them and this is where discrimination starts. A state is not supposed to view its citizens through the prism of religion as it leads to disparities among the people. Ms. Farhana elaborated on the success and achievements of PACE in its first phase and also the objectives of PACE Evolution. Ms. Farhana further added that one of the core objectives of this workshop is to create a cadre of youth skilled with debate and critical thinking. In our society, we usually avoid questioning, PACE...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Importance of Constitutional Literacy
The 57th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on February 22, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Constitutional Literacy”. The first guest on show, Prof. Dr. Dost Mohammad appreciated CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon initiative as to how it endeavors to strengthen social cohesion in the society and termed it as ‘need of the hour’. He noted that the rules and legislations evolved - as the society grew and progressed over the ages - and culminated into the document of constitution to define the roles and responsibilities of different actors in the society including state and citizens. The constitution is an outcome of human experiences and societal evolution over the centuries to regulate the human behaviors for peaceful coexistence. It describes the fundamental human rights available to the citizens of a sovereign state. It also ensures mutual respect between the core pillars of the state. He added that democracy is a process to uphold equal citizenry, transparency and accountability in the society. It is only by constitutional literacy among the citizens, can their fundamental human rights be upheld. It is an essential prerequisite for access to justice, social capital, inclusion and mobility, and participation in the democratic processes besides preventing violations of human rights. The second guest on show, Mr. Nangyal Khan, a student from Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, shared that the beauty of the law is that it evolves with the progress of mankind. He elaborated that constitution defines the principles to regulate peaceful coexistence of diverse groups in the society. It also outlines the fundamental human rights available to the citizens especially Articles 8-28 in case of the Constitution of Pakistan. Adherence to rules and regulations anchored and fulfilling the roles and responsibilities enshrined in the constitution are critical for not...
China Watch [April 15-21] 5 billion dollars development grant to be provided to GB by China under CPEC: Chinese Envoy
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said that his government had provided Rs.5 billion development grant under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which the Federal government will shift to Gilgit Baltistan government soon. Pakistan and China will sign the preliminary design of ML-1 project during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Beijing. Prime Minister Imran Khan will pay a four-day visit to China to attend the Belt and Road Forum and hold bilateral talks with the Chinese leadership on the new phase of CPEC and other issues of mutual interest. President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that CPEC has made Pakistan an important destination for global trade and investment. The Chinese government has offered Pakistan market access similar to that offered to countries of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) after seven years of negotiations. 5 billion dollars development grant to be provided to GB by China under CPEC Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing has said his government had provided Rs.5 billion development grants under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which the Federal government will shift to the Gilgit Baltistan government soon. Mr Jing said the Chinese government would assist GB in the development of various sectors, including widening of Karakoram Highway from Raikot in GB to Thakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Chief Minister Mr.Hafeezur Rehman thanked the Chinese government for provision 100 beds of GB hospitals. He said that presently there was lack of women delivery beds and detection machines for breast cancer in GB hospitals. The chief minister suggested that Chinese and GB governments should initiate a project for disabled persons in the region. Mr.Yao Jing assured the Chief Minister of taking every possible step for resolving GB people’s issues.[i] Preliminary design of ML-1 railway project under CPEC to be signed during PM's China visit Pakistan and China will sign the preliminary design of ML-1...
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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.