The 62nd radio program as part of the Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) counter-radicalization initiative Ulasi Taroon (Social Cohesion) was aired on March 29, 2019, on the theme of “Merger of Tribal Districts, a Pathway to Sustainable Peace”.
The show discussed the merger of tribal districts into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and its importance for rule of law, peace, and equal citizenry for the tribal people. The show also discussed the role the merged districts are expected to play as part of KP.
The first guest in studio, Malik Anwar Taj, Member, National Assembly of Pakistan, lauded the historic 25th Constitutional Amendment and noted that the tribal people living in former FATA had long been socially and economically integrated with the rest of KP province but now after 25th Amendment, they are legally and officially a part of the province as equal citizens. He said that the inhabitants of this wide region have suffered a lot due to draconian law of Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), militancy, poverty, unemployment, exploitation and absence of good governance. Although the government has practically initiated the process of integration but there are too many problems to address and the process may take some time to culminate into progress and prosperity for the people. People in the tribal region need awareness and understanding more than anything else to support the process. Role of youth can be very vital too.
The guest on phone, Mr. Ilyas, a member of Pakistan Marble Association, suggested that the effective planning and implementation of 2017 Mining Act will definitely lead to positive economic activity in the region.
The second guest in studio, Mr. Zahir Shah Safi, a lawyer and social activist added that social cohesion in the region can be achieved if the tribal people are brought into the mainstream and fruits of democracy and development reach every nook and corner of the tribal region.
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 law, primacy and sanctity of constitution, equal citizenry, responsible citizenship, respect for fundamental human rights, tolerance for diversity and different opinions, inclusive democracy and good governance – as a measure of fostering social cohesion and peaceful co-existence.