The Concept of Accountability in the Islamic State    The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Council) discussed the Islamic concept of accountability and its implications. The guest on the show, Molana Ashraf Ali Marwat, a religious scholar, noted that accountability is one of the core concepts required for good governance in an Islamic state. The early history of Islam is replete with examples of our Holy Prophet (SAW) and his companions setting the highest standards of accountability and transparency in the society. He elaborated that there are two levels of accountability in Islam that is self-accountability and the accountability for those who have some power and authority. Accountability and transparency are the prime requisites for any human society. He emphasized that lack of either factors leads to corruption, rise in crimes and injustices in the society. There are several organizations and departments in Pakistan that work to ensure accountability; however, their performance and credibility is questionable. The basic principle of accountability is to bring justice and equality in society. He concluded that establishing equality and justice is the basic aim of Islam. If there is no accountability then injustice prevails and the common man suffers. The report by Mr. Afzal Mohmand highlighted the concept of accountability and connected it to equality and effective rule of law. Mr. Inamullah Khan shared responses to the idea of accountability in modern democracy and its impact upon good governance. A total of three 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 programme, 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 Tuesday through Thursday every week under four...

Equal Citizenry and Inclusion for Transgender. The latest episode of Ranra (Light) discussed equal citizenry and the addition of transgender initiatives at the federal and provincial level to protect their fundamental rights. The guest on the show, Mr. Shakeel Waheed Ullah, a social activist and a transgender, said that gender issues, particularly transgender issues, are a sensitive topic. Gender equality not only means man and woman but also it includes the transgender as well. Provinces are yet to take major steps in representing transgender as there is a drastic difference between the data on their population which hampers policy-making, plus they are not treated as equal human beings at times. Although ID cards have been issued, yet their identity is still to be acknowledged as it is big challenge and societal attitudes really need to be changed. Fortunately there are multiple legislative measures but implementation needs to be looked into seriously. Ms.Namkeen, a transgender, said that even though I am an equal citizen but I am still in search of a job, despite having a Master’s degree. Acceptance has to start from home. She said that the measures seem external and something concrete is missing. The transphobic attitude is again a challenge for transgender and the normal people. She emphasized that transgender do have skills and capabilities they are not to be taken as a commodity or sex workers. The society needs to be educated over the misconceptions about transgender being special people. A field-based report by Anwar Anjum shared that a transgender is equally entitled to all sorts of public jobs and must be given  opportunities. A report by Bushara Mehsud highlighted the responses and concerns of transgender and societal attitudes towards them in tribal areas. A total of seven 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...

Peace through Sports  The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) discussed the importance of sports in regards to peace in the region. Mr. Majid Ali Khan, sportsman and Mrs. Huma Hussain, physical education trainer were of the view that sports is  the best method that can be used to overcome the growing intolerance and extremist attitude among youth, if proper planning is done by  the state. Mr. Majid said that sports is an essential component for personality development and enhancing skills like leadership, tolerance and respect for others. The youth of the region is talented but they lack the opportunities needed for exhibiting their skills. He further shared that tribal districts are the most neglected parts of the country when it comes to the provision of basic facilities and opportunities regarding sports. Mrs. Huma Hussain, while talking about female participation in sports said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate aims at providing sports opportunities to everyone, regardless of any discrimination. However, females rarely get the opportunity to participate in sports' activities especially, in both, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and  the recently merged  tribal districts. The government should provide equal sports opportunities to the youth regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds and gender ,she added. The first report by Mr.Rehan talked about the Peace Cricket league held in Peshawar. Teams from different universities participated in the event including some national players as well. As per one respondent in the report, “the event was aimed at spreading  the message of peace and love. Fortunately, peace has revived in the region and we are going to celebrate it with this event”. The second report by Mr. Farid Shinwari from Khyber District took into account the recent announcements for sports activities. Two live calls were received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the merged tribal Areas (FATA)...

Good Governance, Planning and Implementation of Mega Projects The latest episode of Jarga Maraka (Debate and Counsel) discussed good governance with reference to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT project), its planning and implementation. The guest on the show, Mr. Khalid Ayub, a social activist, said that BRT is the most costly and controversial project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is a fact that Peshawar needs a major traffic project to fix traffic issues but is BRT the only solution? Besides its heavy cost, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI) government promised to complete it within six months but even after one and a half year this seems unlikely. Mr. Khalid Ayub alleged that the public was not taken on board and the traders and businessmen have suffered huge losses. Mr. Mian Mohammad Shakeel, Director Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) for BRT, shared that pre-feasibility and feasibility were considered before the project was started. It was realized that it was a much needed project for Peshawar. Transport is a big problem here and it was the right of our people to have such a transport system that people may travel with ease. The report by Mr. Abdul Razaq shared the statistics that BRT includes a 26-kilometre road from Chamkani to Hayatabad with 31 bus stations. This project has three phases and the first phase is still under progress. Almost 20 changes were introduced within a year which wasted public money. The report by Mr. Inamullah highlighted the key points of good governance and how public participation can have a positive impact on governance in a democratic system. Mr. Syed Safi Pirzada, an officer in a civil organization, said that in a civilized society good governance means the voice of the public. Five 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 programme, designed to highlight and...

Right to Health for Women The latest episode of Ranra (Light) discussed the constitutional right to health for women. The guest in the show, Dr. Ismail shared that the mortality rate from curable diseases especially for women and children is high in rural areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and merged tribal districts (previously known as FATA), as they are the most neglected regions in terms healthcare facilities. He added that in these areas mainly women suffer due to lack of proper healthcare facilities and low immunization. Limited access to clean drinking water, proper food, lack of proper hospitals and trained health professionals impacts the lives of pregnant women in these areas. In far-flung areas the number of female doctors and nurses or lady health visitors is limited. The healthcare system should be improved by the government and concerned authorities. He suggested that in order to improve the primary healthcare system in the region, there is a need for implementing first-ever health policy. The report by Asma Gul shared that every year every year a large number of women die during pregnancy or childbirth-related complications as most of the families are not aware about the health of women and babies. Most of the deaths occur in poor and underdeveloped countries of the world including Pakistan. The report by Ceena Naeem shared that according to the United Nations, there is a lack of general awareness about the good health of the mother and unborn child and Pakistan has to improve a lot. Three calls were received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (exFATA) 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 Tuesday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and...

Prevention of Drugs in Youth The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (Alive Spirit) discussed the use and prevention of drugs among youth and the measures to be taken. As per the statistics by United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pakistan, drugs users are mostly between the ages 15 to 65 with 78% of them being male and 22% female. The guest in the show, Sayed Ali Naqi, a representative of Dost Foundation shared that, in Pakistan 6.7 million people are using drugs and the biggest reason for it is the fact that Afghanistan is neighbouring Pakistan and 90% of raw drugs come from this region. He added that unemployment is also one of the major factors for getting addicted to drugs. He noted that it is quite alarming that from 2015, 800,000 people are adding up yearly in the existing number of addicts. It is increasing because of the lack of work on prevention. Mr. Yasir elaborated that the use of drugs is common in all classes. He shared that in 2018 his foundation was accessed by 1,800 users for treatment including 35 females. He said that both male and female resist treatment because drug addiction has been stigmatized culturally. While talking about the merged areas Yasir said that tribal areas are also very close to the border and are more vulnerable to drug abuse. He said that keeping in view the growing number of drug addicts it is really important to have proper planning and awareness programs along with more rehabilitation centers by the state. Three calls were received during the show. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the merged tribal Areas (exFATA) 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, equal citizenry, and social cohesion. The show airs Tuesday through Thursday every week under three themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 kHz from 3:15 PM to 4:00...