Current Projects
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Importance of Cross-Cultural Dialogue for Social Cohesion
June 11, 2018: The fourteenth radio program as part of Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on April 13, 2018, on the topic of “Importance of Cross-Cultural Dialogue for Social Cohesion”. The initiative of Ulasi Taroon is itself a platform for cross cultural interactions as it provides an opportunity to the students from different universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for dialogue in the centrality of discourse embedded in the universally acknowledged democratic values. The first guest on show, Prof. Dr. Khurshid from International Relations Department, University of Peshawar noted that the core ingredient of cross cultural dialogue is the interaction among diverse cultures to build understanding and address misunderstandings. In a country like Pakistan with rich cultural diversity, frequent interactions between people from different cultures especially youth can lead to more understanding, acceptance, respect and tolerance in the society. The cross cultural interactions as part of summer camps and exchange programs at the national and international levels can help sharing perspectives and ideas on common challenges, devising joint solutions and undertaking concerted efforts for social cohesion. Both state and civil society ought to collaborate to promote cross-cultural dialogue to cultivate the ideals of tolerance and cohesion and promote mutual respect and understanding. The second guest on show, Mr. Shams Momand from CRSS said that one of the biggest challenges in cross-cultural dialogue is actually individual’s closed mindset and reluctance to accept change and differences. People with a closed mindset are only open to the information that supports their views, and as a result, they easily distort the information. Thus there is a dire need to expose such individuals to diverse ideas through cross cultural dialogues. He suggested that academia should promote cross...
NISP 2018: Missing The Point
The new national security policy (NISP 2018) released recently by former Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, is a welcome step insofar as the occasional review and recalibration of policy documents is concerned. It introduces a new regime focused on the 6 ‘Rs’, Reorient, Reimagine, Reconcile, Redistribute, Recognise, and the adoption of a Regional Approach as a recipe for peaceful socio-economic development. The rest is largely a regurgitation of the NISP 2014, masked in somewhat new diction, except the names of nearly all the officials who contributed to it. Like a typical western report, NISP too points out the Islamic State as the biggest threat to the country and warns against the potential spill over of this brand of terrorism from Afghanistan into Pakistan. Unfortunately, the NISP 2018 treats various forms of terrorism, including trans-border terrorism, as our most pressing challenge, little alluding to the fact that most manifestations of terrorism — or violent extremism — which has seen marked reduction as a result of hard power and kinetic operations in the last two years — are directly connected with our relations with India and Afghanistan. This terrorism can only be eradicated completely once relations with these nations improve. NISP overlooks the fact that internal security is about fixing internal faults, some of which represent a continuous threat to social peace, economic development and cohesion. The state has failed to stop media houses from using the peoples’ religious sentiments for their own commercial purposes The biggest fault-line is not extremism, but what must be a source of concern for everybody, and a factor that continues to muddy Pakistan’s name abroad, is increased religiosity and the deployment of faith as a shield to protect people or groups who take the law into their own hands. This includes actions like the recent attack on an Ahmadi place of worship in Sialkot, construction of Mosques and Madaris on state lands without permission...
CRSS Signs Agreement with the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment
The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work on harassment against women, at an Iftar Dinner hosted by CRSS at Islamabad Club on May 30, 2018. CRSS is committed to the cause of independent research and nonpartisan analysis in Pakistan and the establishment of FOSPAH is to investigate, inquire, recommend, and implement on matters relating to sexual harassment, hostile work environment and gender-based discrimination at workplaces under the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010. There exist common grounds in which cooperation between the FOSPAH and CRSS would be beneficial in public interest. Emphasizing the need for independent research and analysis on issues such as gender equality, discrimination, equal opportunities and access to justice, the parties look forward to jointly carry out activities on the subject matter. Under the agreement, both organisations would seek collaboration to promote enforcement mechanism of the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010 and independent research, awareness campaigns, and development in Pakistan.
Ulasi Taroon Showcase: Role of Social Media for Social Cohesion
May 28, 2018: The thirteenth radio program as part of Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on April 06, 2018, on the topic of “Role of Social Media for Social Cohesion”. The guest on show Mr. Atta Ullah, journalist and social activist, noted that social media has turned out to be a very powerful tool for strategic communication in the past few years and among all the other forums available for dialogue, it can be the best medium to promote tolerance, acceptance and inclusion. He added that almost 30 million people in Pakistan are daily connected to the internet and social media, but unfortunately, they do not have a sufficient knowledge about the cyber rules and regulations critical to ensure cyber security and privacy. It’s time that the social media users must be educated on the cybercrime laws and to use the medium for peacebuilding. The importance of social media can be judged by the fact that it has now started to dictate and direct the mainstream media. Given the lack of other forums and opportunities for dialogue and voicing their concerns, the social media is of especial significance for youth - as it is the only platform left for them - to clearly express and articulate their views. The guest on phone, Ms. Nighat Daad, social activist, said that the impact of social media depends upon how we make use of it. The social media by design complements the fundamental human rights of the citizens by providing them freedom of expression and association. These are the basic rights whose practice is well observed on the social media as it provides opportunities for expression, interactive discussion and inclusive dialogue to everyone indiscriminately. With the positive and vigilant use of social media, the youth can create an alternative positive narrative against intolerance and extremist attitudes in the society. They just need to look beyond its conventional use for individual...
FATA — One Faultilne Fixed, Nearly!
President Barack Obama had in March 2008 dubbed Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) abutting Afghanistan as the “most dangerous place.” The reasons; these semi-autonomous regions – governed by a draconian British colonial era set of laws called the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and enacted in 1902 – had degenerated into literal no-go areas and become a hotbed of militancy, terrorism and crime. The 31st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the national legislature on May 24, followed by approval in the upper house – the Senate – a day later, constitutionally consigned FATA to the dustbin of history. And on May 27, the penultimate day of its tenure, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly drove the last nail in the coffin of this historical injustice by passing the KP-FATA merger bill with a two-thirds majority. This meant the completion of the legislative formalities required for mainstreaming the FATA regions i.e., taking them out of the federal control and placing them under the provincial government. The seven FATA agencies – spread over 27,200 km2 – will now become districts and the six Frontier Regions (FRs) too will be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “During a meeting of the FATA Reforms Committee, Chief of Army Staff Gen Javed Qamar Bajwa had asked me to settle the issue of FATA once and for all,” Chief Minister Pervez Khattak told fellow lawmakers on the occasion, resonating a similar passionate appeal by Bajwa during his interaction with top newsmen and anchorpersons on March 9. The rush with which it all happened from Islamabad to Peshawar provided clear indications of this anxiety at the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) – as Sharifs and their prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi seemed to dither and were seized with other priorities, including their defense in cases related to four flats in London allegedly owned by the Sharif family. Also, when Sharifs tasked Sardar Mehtab, the then governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to develop a...
Mending Relations with Afghanistan: Is Pakistan Listening?
Following years of acrimony and extreme hostility, Pakistan-Afghan relations appear to be breaking out of the geo-political logjam. A string of positive vibes since Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s April 5 Kabul visit suggests realpolitical pragmatism may be guiding this turnaround. As Taliban and Daesh continue to ramp up violence all over Afghanistan, four major developments stand out for mention; US Sanctions on Iran, Pak-Afghan ministerial meeting, and the World Bank approval for the new Peshawar-Torkham expressway. Most vibes – as far as Pakistan is concerned – are positive and offer fresh opportunities to repair and enhance relations with Kabul. Firstly, in their landmark meeting on May 15 at Islamabad, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua agreed to “take a fresh start, bridge existing gaps, build formal mechanism of cooperation in all areas of mutual interests and take collective actions to strengthen trust between the two countries”. The new engagement mechanism is the Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), a set of seven principles that commits both a) to take tangible steps Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation, b) effective actions against fugitives and the irreconcilable elements posing security threats to either of the two countries, c) deny use of their respective territory by any country, network, group or individuals for anti-state activities against either country, d) put in place a joint supervision, coordination and confirmation mechanism through liaison officers for realisation of the agreed actions, e) avoid territorial and aerial violations of each other’s territory, f) refrain from public blame game and instead utilize APAPPS cooperation mechanisms to respond to mutual issues of contention and concerns, and g) set up working groups and necessary cooperation mechanism as per APAPPS. Accompanying the...
Centre of Economic Power Is Shifting From The West To East: Sartaj Aziz
Pakistan truly stands at a historic juncture. The country’s strategic location, once being a liability is now a bridge between Europe and Asia. Centre of economic power is shifting from the West to East. Over the years Asia has become a leading player in the emerging economies of the world, Planning Commission of Pakistan Deputy Chairman Sartaj Aziz said. Regional connectivity in Asia now lies at the centre of the Chinese-led Belt and Road Initiative, which aims at connecting Asia with Europe and CPEC, a central part of this network, is an all-inclusive economic corridor for the region, says a press release here on Monday. National Security Adviser (NSA) Nasser Khan Janjua said that Pakistan by connecting 86 percent (as 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia; about 10 percent in Europe and 16 percent in Africa) of the people of the world is a massive potential trade and industrial hub. He said this while speaking at the seminar on “Dynamics of Geopolitics, Regional Security and Economic Connectivity” organised by National Security Division (NSD), Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) here today, which was attended by the ambassadors of Central Asian Republics (CARs) in addition to other dignitaries. The NSA urged CARs to utilise the huge potential of Balochistan and access sea through Gwadar, which is the world’s largest deep sea port. Balochistan is our face, he said. Pakistan will multiply the economy of the entire region. Ali Alizada, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan enunciated that the landscape of the world was changing dramatically and countries were changing their state policies swiftly in the wake of unfolding global crescendos. Peace is the only option to move towards sustainable future. Pakistan has always supported peace and stability in the region and Azerbaijan is grateful to Pakistan for their positive role in this regard, the ambassador said. Giving Turkey’s perspective, on the...
Why De-Radicalization And CVE Remain Major Challenges For Pakistan?
Some lessons learnt: The Pakistan Center for Excellence (PACE) is a Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiative aimed at sensitizing young intellectuals and academics on “critical thinking.” Designed by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), PACE grew out of the need to trigger critical thinking through a discourse that is anchored in globally acknowledged and practiced values such as acceptance of socio-political diversity, rule of law, equal citizenry, freedom of faith and expression well as the rights afforded within Pakistan’s Constitution (articles 8-28). As many as 580 young university teachers and professors, drawn from 80 universities have gone through 29 training workshops, the feedback from these monthly gatherings leads one to conclude that religious radicalization, increasing religiosity and countering it through a critical discourse remain a major challenge for Pakistan’s policy makers and citizens at large. Outcomes: CRSS’s experience of working with such a wide array of young male and female teachers was a mixed bag; some were progressive in their ideas and approach, while others appeared less receptive or even reluctant to embrace notions on fundamental human rights that were being advocated during the workshops. Some were amenable to changing their perceptions, while others were not – as evidenced from the inter-active discussions with resource persons. An assessment of the pre and post training questionnaires also helped in determining the extent of influence these workshops had on the participants. Initially, most participants would agree that there were gaps in the ideals of inter-faith harmony and diversity and the actual practice. Soon after the dialogues, however, many participants reverted to their original conservative narratives on issues such as womens’ or equal rights for religious minorities. One surprising revelation was some participants even saying that Hindus, their fellow citizens, ought to leave the country if...
Politicians Must Put National Interest Ahead of Their Personal Interest: Muzafar Said, JI
Timergara, May 14, 2018: You cannot strengthen democracy in the country unless you promote democratic practices within families as well as political parties. Democracy means tolerance and a positive attitude. It also means indiscriminate accountability; an accountable, transparent and responsible government including accountability of the elected representatives to the public. The self-accountability is also important to strengthen the democratic practices. The notions were expressed by Mr. Muzafar Said, Former Finance Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the sixth round of Ulasi Taroon, Youth Capacity Building Workshops organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) at Abdul Wali Khan University, Timergara Campus from May 11-12, 2018. Mr. Wahid, District Police Officer (DPO), Swat also spoke during the workshop. “If the politicians consider national interest paramount than their personal interests, it will the single most rewarding act of strengthening the democracy in Pakistan”, the JI leader noted while adding that the democratic values and ideals – fundamental to social peace and development - are clearly enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. The real democracy lies in inclusion; consult public on the decisions that concern them and formulate policies in consideration of the issues that the concern citizens the most. He urged the future leaders for participating in the democratic processes actively. The workshops like Ulasi Taroon can help youth prepare for the future challenges and educate them in the issues critical to peacebuilding to lead conflict resolution in their respective social and professional spheres. The DPO Swat, Mr. Wahid said that rule of law means to act in accordance with law. Educating the society is the most significant milestone to achieve in ensuring rule of law and upholding sanctity of constitution. Rule of law is a doctrine of political morality that aims at ensuring the correct balance of rights and powers...
NSA Nasser Janjua Urges Central Asian Republics to Utilize Huge Potential of Balochistan
Pakistan: The National Security Advisor (NSA) Lt. General (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua has urged Central Asian Republics (CARs) to utilize the huge potential of Balochistan and access sea through Gwadar, which is the World’s largest deep sea port. “Balochistan is our face,” the advisor said while speaking at the Seminar on “Dynamics of Geo-Politics, Regional Security and Economic Connectivity” organized by National Security Division (NSD), Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) in Islamabad on Monday. The advisor said that Pakistan will multiply the economy of the entire region. Nasser Janjua said that Pakistan by connecting 86% (as 60% of the World’s population lives in Asia; about 10% in Europe and 16% in Africa) of the people of the World is a massive potential trade and industrial hub. The Seminar was attended by the ambassadors of CARs in addition to other dignitaries. While speaking at the Seminar on the common challenges faced by the region, Lt. General (retd) Asif Yasin said that good governance and governance alone would lead to internal stability, fight against terrorism and poverty in the region. Lt. General (retd) Asif Yasin said that Pakistan and Afghanistan have common stakes. He said that trans-Afghanistan and trans-Pakistan are the contemporary phenomena that will spell out future relationship between the two. Lt. General (retd) Talat Masood – who was the Chair and moderator of the Seminar – said in his concluding remarks that Pakistan’s biggest challenge is to ensure security and security challenges are not solved by military means but development. This article originally appeared on www.dnd.com.pk , May 14, 2018. Original link.
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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.