Current Projects
Only by Identifying Road Blocks, Can Women Be Economically Empowered: Farhatullah Babar
The more you do, the more you achieve, the more you achieve, the more you understand what more needs to be done, says Farhatullah Babar, Secretary General, PPPP and Former Senator during the Public-Private Dialogue on Gender Focused Economic Reforms, held at Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), Islamabad on February 22, 2019. The event was also participated by Dr. Nafisa Shah, MNA and several private sector representatives along with the representatives of the State Bank, SMEDA and civil society. He said that the womens’ economic participation issue is inseparable from their other issues. We need to have a very clear idea as to what inhibits womens’ economic empowerment. We all know that women are subjected to violence, discrimination of identity, and inequality before law and it’s a proven fact that a large number of women are disenfranchised. The society refuses to give them their due right to work; discouraging them to collectively voice their concerns. There is no recognition of their domestic work and their economic contribution in the informal sector. Even if recognized, they face issues like non-payment and under-payment. In 1950, the provisions of ‘equal pay for women’ and ‘anti-torture law’ were enshrined in the first annexe that would pave a path to the drafting of the Constitution in 1956, however, the 1956 constitution and following were silent on the subject matter. The informal sector – comprising nearly 8.5 million workers with a significant woman percentage – needs to be recognized and regulated. Only by identifying road blocks, can women be economically empowered. Pakistan is an overly legislated country; it just faces severe implementation challenges. The flawed and discriminatory criminal justice system along with women’s limited knowledge and access of and to their rights and legal processes respectively, adds fuel to fire. The ILO convention 189 – though signed but not ratified – calls for recognition of womens’ domestic work....
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Importance of Accountability to Strengthen Democracy and Governance
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...
China asks Turkey to retract “baseless accusations” on Xinjiang
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying, in a press briefing on Monday, rebutted Turkish accusations on China’s Xinjiang region. Turkey had recently criticised China for its treatment of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. Below is Chunying’s response to questions asked on the matter: Q: On February 9, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey criticized China on the situation in Xinjiang and its relevant policies. What is your response? A: I have noted these very bad remarks made by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. The Chinese Embassy in Turkey has already made a response at the earliest time possible, and the Chinese side has made stern representations with the Turkish side. Before saying anything else, I want to draw your attention to a fact. The Spokesperson of the Turkish Foreign Ministry claimed that “the distinguished folk poet Abdurehim Heyit passed away in his second year of imprisonment”. However, the fact is that he is still alive and in good health. I saw videos online yesterday that testify to that. The Turkish side is extremely mistaken and irresponsible in making groundless accusations against China just based on some ridiculous lies that declare a living person dead. We are strongly opposed to that. I would like to add a few points. First, since 1990s, the “three evil forces” (terrorism, extremism and separatism) in China and abroad have plotted, organized and conducted thousands of violent terrorist attacks in Xinjiang, injuring and killing a great number of innocent people of various ethnic groups. Drawing on the anti-terrorism experience of the international community and based on its realities, the Chinese government has been actively working to counter terrorism and extremism and made notable achievements. People in Xinjiang now have a stronger sense of security, happiness and fulfillment. Recently, diplomatic envoys and representatives from a dozen countries as well as media...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Importance of Gender Equality for Social Cohesion
The 51st radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 11, 2019, on the theme of “Importance of Gender Equality for Social Cohesion”. The guest on show, Mr. Inamullah Marwat, Analyst, The Nation, noted the gender equality is a prerequisite for social cohesion where all members of a society – regardless of their gender, colour, cast, creed, and social, economic and political backgrounds - are treated equally, given equal opportunities and considered important part of the society. The difference between sex and gender also needs to be understood to foster gender equality. The cohesion in any society is directly and greatly proportional to the level of inclusion of the female population with regard to their socio-economic and political participation. He said that Pakistan is stuck between the traditional and modern social fabric; taking gender equality at times as a threat to the religious ideology though the values of equality are enshrined in the religious tenets including Islam. Nobody should be allowed to exploit the religious narrative for one’s own partial interest. There is a dire need to foster dispassionate dialogue among people from different walks of life, bring much needed changes in educational curricula and launch awareness campaigns at the mass level on the on social values of equality critical for peace and harmony. The teaching faculties at all levels must encourage gender equity. The academic discussions and popular media discourse must be inclusive of the roles and responsibilities of citizens; men and women to foster responsible citizenship. Equal inclusion of all genders in democratic processes can ensure inclusive policy making and help developing an alternative narrative crucial for peacebuilding. The guest on call, Ms. Sana Ejaz, a social activist, said that gender equality must begin at home. Women empowerment can be...
Open Letter to Afghan President Ghani
Respectable Mr President Following nearly four decades of war, Afghanistan may be at the cusp of an extremely critical juncture of history. The tedious efforts for ending the conflict appear to be getting serious, albeit with usual, though not unexpected, hiccups. But the US-Taliban talks – supported by all major regional stakeholders – could not have come thus far had it not been for your own contribution towards conflict resolution in many ways and you deserve undiluted credit for it. Firstly, you risked your political career by stepping into Pakistan’s mighty General Headquarters on November 14, 2014, in the hope of getting peace for Afghanistan. Secondly, you displayed unprecedented courage and political acumen to attend the Heart of Asia conference in Islamabad in December 2015 (despite strong opposition from within the National Unity government). Thirdly, you are indeed the undisputed author of the landmark three-day ceasefire (June 2018) that silenced guns across Afghanistan and allowed all Afghans embrace one another without the fear of a deadly ambush or a suicide attack (by Taliban). This hold in fire indeed ignited – for the first time – hopes that such an across-the-board meeting of Afghan minds is possible. Fourthly, Mr President, you belong to only a handful of Afghan leaders of the modern day Afghanistan, including, of course, your predecessor Hamid Karzai. Both of you are meanwhile an indelible asset for the dominant majority of the conflict-fatigued and peace-craving Afghans. They are all looking up to you for a way out of the bloodshed. Fifth, the progress that the Afghan women witnessed under your presidency also vouches for the wisdom of an academic and technocrat who considers women as an essential element of national progress. The list of your initiatives is long but the aforementioned points alone are more than enough to underscore your importance and your continued relevance to the peace process. As Taliban – who have transitioned from a...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Ulasi Taroon’s Journey at a Glance
The 50th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on January 04, 2019, on the theme of “Ulasi Taroon’s Journey at a Glance”. The show was a reflection on the journey of Ulasi Taroon initiative and its different components. The first guest on show, Mr. Shams Momand, Project Manager, Ulasi Taroon, noted that the initiative was an attempt to strengthen cohesion among the people from diverse backgrounds; educating them in the virtues of unity, responsible citizenship and peaceful coexistence despite differences. It promotes the values of mutual respect, tolerance, acceptance, equality and rule of law. It’s a multilateral initiative with the core prongs like i) strategic communication: for sensitizing the communities at-large - through radio advocacy campaign - on the values of social cohesion and ii) youth development: for enhancing the capacity of future leaders - in the universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province - to help them lead peaceful conflict resolution in their respective spheres. The second guest on show, Mr. Shahab-ud-Din, a senior journalist and one of the hosts for Ulasi Taroon radio programs, said CRSS had been actively involved in the promotion of tolerance perspectives and positive messaging; to delegitimize the extremist ideologies and prevent radicalization. It has more than a decade of experience of working around several social issues of critical importance like rule of law, democracy, governance, peace and security, counter-radicalization; employing its expertise in strategic communication, youth leadership development and dialogue. He added that the 49 radio programs aired so far as part of the initiative have covered a diverse range of issues critical to peacebuilding which, considering the commercial radio trends, is in itself a great achievement of generating such a unique and relevant discourse. We should cultivate and...
IMF — cure or curse
After his meeting with Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in Dubai, Prime Minister Imran Khan says they both have agreed on the need to carry out deep
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Jinnah’s Vision for Social Cohesion
The 49th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on December 28, 2018, on the theme of “Jinnah’s Vision for Social Cohesion”. The show began with the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s well known address to the Constituent Assembly in the port city of Karachi on 11 August 1947, three days before the creation of Pakistan, “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”. The first guest on show, Mr. Zulfiqar, a lecturer of Pakistan Studies in Islamia College Peshawar, noted that Jinnah advocated for human rights all his life as he was not just the leader of Muslims but the leader of humanity. He always believed in inclusion at all stages of his struggle and promoted the idea that Muslims are one nation and they are different from others. Jinnah’s historical speech on August 11, 1947 envisaged a tolerant Pakistan with the inclusion of the communities of all faiths with equal rights. His vision was to preserve the identity of each culture and province while treating them equally. We need to teach our youth about why and how Jinnah was successful in achieving his mission. He believed in women’s equal participation in the development of the country. He often said that if my sister was not there, I would not have done what I did. Given the ideals enshrined in Jinnah’s vision, state of Pakistan should ensure equal citizenry and work towards a society free from discrimination, ensure social inclusion, build social capital and provide equal opportunities for social mobility to the people. The second guest on show, Ms. Hina emphasized that youth needs to learn from Quaid’s vision of democracy. Unity is the binding factors in any society and prerequisite for...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Roles and Responsibilities of Youth in Tribal Districts
The 48th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on December 21, 2018, on the theme of “Roles and Responsibilities of Youth in Tribal Districts”. The first guest on show, Mr. Saeed Safi, a youth activist, noted, “History shows us that no revolution or movement in the world has ever succeeded without an active role of youth. It is also evident from the lasting struggle of youth from the tribal districts where they made tremendous contributions in achieving the much awaited integration of former FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa”. He further elaborated that the struggle is far from over and the youth has now braced itself to translate the peace process into a lasting success. The youth in tribal districts is actively working to educate the tribesmen on the rights and other provisions - enshrined in the constitution - available to them post KP-FATA merger. There are almost 26 active youth organizations in the tribal districts and it’s heartening to see many young tribal girls as part of the movement. The guest on phone, Mr. Inayat Ullah Salarzai, another youth activist from tribal districts underlined that with an active and productive role of youth, every country can make progress. The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam had clearly stressed upon the role of youth for a bright and prosperous future of Pakistan. Like the rest of the country, the youth in the tribal region has a huge potential, they just need opportunities to grow, channelize their talent and energies for the rapid development of the tribal districts and show a positive image of the region i.e. they are not terrorists and like progress, development and social integration. The state and the political leaders should provide a conducive environment to these youth leaders to help them explore their potential. “The future belongs to youth and there is a huge onus on them to work harder for a better...
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Peaceful Conflict Resolution
The 47th radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on December 14, 2018, on the theme of “Peaceful Conflict Resolution”. The first guest on show, Dr. Jamil noted that the dialogue is the best way to resolve conflicts at the state, organizational or individual level. History explains that the war and violence has never served as a solution of any problem. Only by resorting to dialogue for conflict resolution, and through mutual understanding and empathy, can you expect a sustainable peace. The conflict is a natural response to nature and external stimuli. Wherever the human beings reside, they may have some conflicts with each other or even with nature. The views and ideas among different individuals and groups may vary/ differ based on different perceptions, background and experiences. Our common perception about the conflict is the disputes and disagreements among individuals, groups, nations and countries. But in case of enlightened people, the conflicts can also be of positive nature which can result in the great developments and advancements in different fields of life. History shows that the use of force has never resolved a conflict, but it is through the table talks and dialogue where the conflicts are resolved. A society that develops the culture of discussion and dialogue is able to resolve internal and external conflicts amicably. The second guest on show, Mr. Adnan noted that the major conflict drivers are misinterpretations and misconceptions and not paying any attention to the conflicts for their resolution will only worsen the situation. We often discuss and pay attention to armed conflicts but the conflicts inside the families and communities can be extremely detrimental to social cohesion. Conflict resolution should be considered as an important skill to master for all members of the society given the repercussions of mismanaged or...
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TESTIMONIALS
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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.