The 56th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on February 15, 2019, on the theme of “Inclusion of Differently Abled People”, to discuss how disabled people can contribute towards a cohesive society. The first guest on show, Mr. Niaz Ali Shah noted that persons with disabilities are differently abled and have an equal potential to contribute to social cohesion in their own way given they are considered as an equal and important members of a society and treated with respect. The major challenge is not the disability but the negative and intolerant behaviors of the society which make someone feel as a disabled person. The real disability lies not in the disabled persons but in the minds of those who consider them handicapped and are insensitive to their special needs. The state should take initiatives to ensure the structural inclusion of people with disabilities. The second guest in studio, Mr. Shabir Ahmad was of the view that our society is not well educated on the inclusion and needs of the special people, nor familiar with the sensitivities related to them. Whereas, the developed countries are considerate of the needs and importance of these special people. In many instances, they are devoid of facilities for education and end up getting the impression of being useless right from their childhood and live their lives in isolation. The guest on phone, Dr. Samina Afridi noted that the social cohesion demands inclusion of all groups of the society as exclusion leads to conflict. We have to juxtapose equality and equity to provide a more conducive environment for disabled persons, to help them grow and get opportunities for social mobility like other citizens. Multipronged approach is needed with sensitization, efforts for mainstreaming and friendly spaces for them and special a health and education policy at the core. The role of civil society...

The 54th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on February 01, 2019, on the theme of “Youth Capacity Building Workshops”. The first guest in studio, Ms. Mahnoor, a student of Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar and an alumna of Ulasi Taroon Youth Capacity Building Workshops (14th Round), noted that rule of law requires active participation of and collaboration among all segments of the society and not just possible through the state’s efforts alone. Based on diverse experiences, people living in the society may have different views and they must be valued and respected. In fact, it is very important to interact with the people with different opinions and diverse backgrounds as it helps developing understanding, tolerance and patience. “Participation in CRSS’s Ulasi Taroon workshop provided an opportunity to understand the basis of such views”. Ms. Mahnoor emphasized that dialogue is the key and leads to an improved understanding among people with diverse opinions. This workshop taught us the values of gratefulness and positive thinking and the crux of the activity was to pay respect to the views of others with tolerance and acceptance. The second guest in studio, Ms. Noor Fatima, a student of Islamia College University, Peshawar, shared that when the people from different regions and backgrounds are together, the divergent views may come and demand respect. To pay respect to the opinions of all, we need to understand that it’s not just about right or wrong views, it’s a matter of different views. Every individual has formed his/her views according to their environment and background. Only by adherence to law, can we uphold rule of law. Respecting rule of law is the most essential pre-requisite for social peace and harmony. "Rule of law means the supremacy of law - not the rule of a person, department or political party - where everyone is...

The 53rd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 25, 2019, on the theme of “Role of Literature for Social Cohesion”. The first guest on show, Mr. Abaseen Yousafzai noted that if the humans start behaving like animals; dominating and hunting the weaker species and live only for themselves, then there will be no difference between man and a brute. As humans, we should respect each other – as it is also the basic principle of democracy to respect the rights, opinions, feelings and views of others. The second guest on show, Miss Kalsoom Zeb, a poetess, while elaborating the role of writers and poets, noted that society and literature are quite related; where both affect each other. The writers serve as eyes and ears of the society where they portray their observations through their work. Their work should also depict the positive aspects of the society to foster unity and cohesion. “There is an equal onus for peace on all members of the society. Therefore, not only poets but every individual is responsible to work for peace. Whatever happens in the society is felt very deeply by the poets and is ultimately reflected through their work. Thus, they have a very crucial role in educating the public”, said a young poet, Mr. Bakht Zada Danish, during the radio report. About Ulasi Taroon Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies and foster social cohesion through a discourse anchored in the core constitutional values which are fundamentally essential prerequisites for social peace and harmony. The endeavor aims to cultivate and sensitize the people of KP in the core values in the Pakistani constitution and our social contract. It’s an attempt to highlight the criticality of abiding by these ideals – such as adherence to rule of...

The 52nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 18, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Accountability to Strengthen Democracy and Governance”. The guests on show, Mr. Kamran Bangash, Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Technology, and Lehaz Ali, a senior journalist, were of the view that good governance and indiscriminate accountability are the two important components of an efficient democracy and ultimately lead to peace and cohesion. Mr. Kamran Bangash noted that democracy has three key pillars including accountability, rule of law and public participation. He emphasized that across the board accountability is the most important ingredient of democracy. The departments mandated to uphold the accountability mechanisms like accountability bureau and different commissions and bodies should be truly independent and non-partisan. The best ever form of governance is the accountable governance. Only by adherence to rule of law and equal application of law on everyone, can democracy be nurtured and strengthened. The self-accountability is as important as the other mechanisms for good governance in democracy. Not only the public representatives but the society at large needs to be sensitized on the virtues of self-accountability. The second guest on show, Mr. Lehaz Ali noted that accountability is part of good governance. Accountability comes with the empowerment. He elaborated that unless people are provided the fundamental rights available to them in the constitution, it will be futile to start accountability. The media should resort to promoting the accountability and other democratic practices rather than sensationalism. About Ulasi Taroon Ulasi Taroon is a counter radicalization initiative of Center for Research and Security Studies that aims to address the radicalization challenges, extremist ideologies...