Santoo meets Alright Mela

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 28,  2022: With the support of the Embassy of France in Pakistan, the Alliance Française -Lahore, the Institute for Art and Culture, and the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, French and Pakistani musicians will participate in a residency in Lahore to produce fusion music bringing together qawwali melodies and electronic music with a French touch. They will give three live performances in Lahore and Islamabad on 27th, 28th, and 29th May 2022.

 

After two years of the pandemic, artists can finally be back on the stage all around the world. 

 

French oud player Markus and electronic musician Xavier Pourcher met Pakistani singer and musician Shahzad Santoo Khan based in Lahore by chance on social media around 6 years ago. A few trips between France and Pakistan sealed their fruitful collaboration under the name “Markus & Shahzad”, which led to the release of their two albums Janna Aana and Tumba!. 

 

Santoo Meets Alright Mela is a new musical collaboration bringing together the three musicians and Shahzad Santoo’s qawwali ensemble. This will be the musicians’ third tour in Pakistan.

 

Qawwali melodies have nothing to envy to the greatest electronic hits. The powerful rhythms created by the tablas and the claps of the choristers transcend the listeners. Santoo meets Alright Mela will give a platform for the artists from the cities of Lahore and Angers to blend their talents in a bewitching fusion, where uplifting electronic music with a French touch and qawwali music intertwine ingeniously and embark with the listeners on a journey filled with mutual discoveries and surprises. 

 

The audience will get the chance to witness this authentic encounter between Pakistani, Oriental, and Western musical cultures within the tracks but also throughout the whole concert. Santoo Meets Alright Mela will create a space where each culture is celebrated in its singularity.

Santoo Meets Alright Mela will start their collaboration with a creation residency at the Institute for Art and Culture in Lahore from May 23^rd to 27^th, followed by three live performances in Lahore and Islamabad.  

 

 

 

EXPANSION OF INTERVIEW WAIVER ELIGIBILITY FOR VISA APPLICANTS FROM PAKISTAN

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 24,  2022: The United States Mission to Pakistan is pleased to announce the expansion of interview waiver eligibility at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi for certain applicants of F (student) visas, J (exchange visitor) visas in academic programs, H (temporary worker visas), and non-blanket L (intracompany transferee) visas.  Pakistani citizens who previously held U.S. visas are eligible to use this program.  Expanding interview waiver eligibility in these categories will provide better customer service and support the efficient and timely processing of visas for qualified Pakistani citizens.  As required by U.S. law, however, some eligible visa holders may still be required to appear at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General for interviews after submitting their applications.

Applicants may visit our website https://ustraveldocs.com/pk/pk-niv-visarenew.asp to determine if they are eligible for an interview waiver.

For further details and answers to other questions, please visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/pk/pk-gen-faq.asp.

 

 

 Launch of Awareness Campaign

Launching of an awareness campaign against TIP and SOM in Pakistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 18,  2022: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Officer Pakistan (COPAK) in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) launched today, an awareness-raising campaign on the risks and challenges of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) in Pakistan. It targets relevant stakeholders including law enforcement, media, academia, civil society organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and relevant government departments and the public in general, to strengthen in-country Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) prevention and response capacity. 

 

The campaign is being implemented with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It will include publishing and distributing awareness brochures and pamphlets, streamers, banners, airing of public service messages on radio and social media accounts as well as mobile Short Messaging Service (SMS) to increase awareness of risks, issues, and challenges related to TIP and SOM.

 

While talking to the participants, Dr. Jeremy Milsom, UNODC Representative, Pakistan, commented, “According to UNODC's 2020 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, Criminals trafficking children target victims from extremely poor households, dysfunctional families, or those who are abandoned by no parental care. In low-income countries, children make up half of the victims detected and are mainly trafficked for forced labor (46 percent). In higher-income countries, trafficking crimes against children may also be for sexual exploitation, forced criminality, or begging.

 

Mr. Ashraf Zubair Siddiqui, Additional Director General, Immigration FIA welcomed the dignitaries and said “The Government of Pakistan is acutely aware and stands fully committed to its international obligations to combat these inhuman and terrible crimes. FIA, as the lead agency against these crimes, has developed and maintained excellent relations with its international partners in general and UNODC in specific which is an abundant demonstration of our commitment. The FIA is grateful for receiving the support from UNODC to capacity building of agency in serious organized crime such as human trafficking and migrant smuggling, in policy and legislative reforms, training, equipment, research and development, and international cooperation.”

 

He further added, “FIA and UNODC hold a solid and long history of cooperation in the fight against TIP and SOM. In 2018, together with UNODC two laws on TIP and SOM were passed by the parliament followed by the approval of implementing rules in early 2021. The National Action Plan to combat TIP and SOM (2021-2025) was also drafted with the support of UNODC, which provides a clear guideline of what steps we must take during the next five years.

 

“The awareness campaign launched today will help to protect the most vulnerable from being preyed upon by human traffickers and migrant smugglers. This campaign will help ensure that information reaches those in most need and enable civil society, policymakers, and government officials to work together to help prevent and respond to these crimes.  Canada will continue to work alongside our partners, such as the Government of Pakistan, and the UNODC, in fighting trafficking and smuggling operations.  These efforts will also support safe migration, and increasing awareness is a critical component of that.”, Mr. Matthew Ciavaglia Representative Canadian High Commission to Pakistan.

 

The campaign will be implemented nationwide in close partnership with the FIA and other relevant stakeholders. Civil Society will be a key partner in this process as UNODC understands that the government and civil society must work in close partnership to fight human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The way to succeed in this fight is through a joint effort to raise awareness of these crimes among a much broader mass of relevant stakeholders. This campaign is important as it combines both prevention and protection strategies, which will support civil society organizations in their efforts to help potential victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants.

 

 

 

 Launch of Awareness Campaign against Trafficking in Person and Smuggling of Migrants in Pakistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 17,  2022: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launching an awareness-raising campaign on trafficking in persons in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan, with the financial support of the Government of Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It targets  relevant stakeholders including law enforcement, media, academia, civil society organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), and relevant government departments and the public in general, to strengthen in-country Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) prevention and response capacity

 

The focus of the campaign is to enhance public awareness and Behavioral Change Communication on these crimes and to inform individuals and communities who are generally less susceptible to risks and exploitations, and the community plays an important role as the first ones to identify and report such incidents and to those who are at risk.

 

Senior Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency and other officials of government counterparts, provincial and state level TIP Committees, the International Community, and civil society are invited to attend the launching of the Awareness Campaign against Trafficking in Person and Smuggling of Migrant in Pakistan.

 

 

 

 U.S. EMBASSY AND UAJK CELEBRATE THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF LINCOLN CORNER MUZAFFARABAD  

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 13,  2022: U.S. Embassy’s Minister Counselor for Public Affairs Raymond Castillo and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Kaleem Abbasi joined faculty and students to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Lincoln Corner at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad and to renew its Memorandum of Understanding for another two years.  Established in 2007, the Lincoln Corner at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is one of the longest-serving in Pakistan.   

“As we mark this 15th-anniversary celebration, we have many activities also to look forward to in the future.  Today I have the pleasure of announcing the launch of the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs training for Lincoln Corner Muzaffarabad starting June 11.  AWE Pakistan is a competitive, fully-funded program offered by the U.S. Mission to Pakistan to help women entrepreneurs with the skills, resources, and networks needed to establish and grow their businesses, through facilitated, online learning,” Mr. Castillo said in his remarks. 

“The 15^th-anniversary celebration is also part of a larger 75^th-anniversary celebration of U.S.-Pakistan bilateral relations.  Our partnership has grown in many areas, and we look forward to building on our successes and expanding further on the ties between the American and Pakistani people,” noted Minister-Counselor Castillo. 

The Lincoln Corner at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir's City Campus includes a Maker Space with a 3-D printer and virtual reality headsets, a comprehensive collection of books, magazines, scholarly databases, and an Americana-themed public events space.   

Lincoln Corner Muzaffarabad is part of a network of 19 American Spaces across Pakistan and more than 600 across the world.  In Pakistan, these Spaces are partnerships between the U.S. Mission to Pakistan and eminent Pakistani institutes of education and culture.  Lincoln Corners are event spaces and resource centers that connect young leaders with the United States.  Online and in-person programs are free and open to the public, a tangible symbol of the strength and breadth of U.S.-Pakistan relations, since Pakistan’s inception 75 years ago.   

While in Muzaffarabad, Mr. Castillo also met with officials from the AJK Government’s Department of Education and visited students from English Works!, a U.S. Embassy program that improves the English language skills of unemployed or under-employed youth ages 17 to 25, while also enhancing entrepreneurial and technical skills to increase employability.  He also engaged with more than 40 alumni of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network.   

For more information about Lincoln Corners or the U.S. Embassy’s English language programs, please visit the U.S. Embassy website or the Facebook pages of Lincoln Corners Pakistan or RELO Pakistan. 

 

 

 

UNESCO commemorates World Press Freedom Day

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 13,  2022: Under the UNESCO Multi-donor Program on Freedom of Expression & Safety of Journalists, the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) was celebrated on May 12, 2022, in Islamabad. The event was organized in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Embassy of Sweden in Pakistan, and High Commission of Canada in Pakistan. The event was attended by more than 50 participants from civil society, youth, media professionals, academia, international organizations, and diplomatic missions.

 

This year’s theme – “Journalism under Digital Siege” highlights the multifaceted ways in which recent developments in surveillance by various actors, as well as big data collection and artificial intelligence (AI), impact journalism, freedom of expression, and privacy. Today, media is faced with varying challenges, that not only threaten its existence but impact its viability as well. This can have adverse effects on freedom of expression and the right to privacy. Taking stock of the situation the event explored the crucial role of media in these changing times and ensuring that its freedom and independence remain intact.

 

The Honourable Minister of State, Dr. Musadik Malik graced the event with his presence and emphasized that democratic principles must be applied to information systems and knowledge sharing to uphold fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Paul Godbout, Chargé d'affaires at the High Commission of Canada in Pakistan shared remarks on behalf of the High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan and highlighted the importance of protecting press freedom to enable informed decision making by citizens and to hold governments accountable.

While explaining the important role of the national commission in safeguarding the fundamental rights in the country, Ms. Rabiya Javeria Agha, chairperson National Commission for Human Rights, mentioned that states that the power of journalism is undeniable as it has the potential to become the voice of the voiceless and the vulnerable. She particularly raised the issue of risks and violence faced by women journalists that stated it must be addressed through policy measures.

 

The World Press Freedom Day event also entailed a panel discussion titled “Striving for a freer, safer digital spaces", on the right to privacy, freedom of expression, data protection, and media viability, with a special focus on free press and its challenges. The panel consisted of experts in the field of data privacy issues in Pakistan. The panel was moderated by Aftab Alam, Executive Director Institute of Research, Advocacy and development (IRADA) and a legal expert in media development and legislative reforms. Panelists included Nighat Dad, founder of Digital Rights Foundation, and Bilal Abbasi, General Manager Ignite. The panel culminated in recommendations for greater accountability, transparency, and a multistakeholder approach to ensure a balance between regulation of the digital media landscape and safeguarding fundamental rights online as well.

 

The event concluded by sharing UNESCO’s upcoming research findings in partnership with Media Matter for Democracy, “Media Development and Media Viability Indicators Assessment” in Pakistan. UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) launched this global initiative to develop a set of indicators aimed to strengthen media development, freedom, and sustainability.

 

 

 

 National School Meals Initiative

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 12,  2022: A two-day National Consultation on School Meals kicked off in Islamabad on Tuesday. The consultation follows the signing and endorsement of the “Global School Meals Coalition” by the Government of Pakistan in 2021.

The consultation is intended to lay the foundations for the establishment of a systematic approach to the provision of school meals in Pakistan and develop a road map towards a national school meals policy. The meeting has been jointly organized by the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The event was led by Honorable Minister Ms. Shazia Marri, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety (PASS) and Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Deputy Chairman, Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, along with representatives from the different federal and provincial departments including regional education, health, planning and development & social protection departments.

In his opening remarks Dr. Hamid Jalil, Member, Food Security & Climate Change, Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives acknowledged that school meals programmes are globally recognized as an effective tool for the promotion of children’s academic performance and the overall wellbeing of schoolchildren. Similarly, school meals serve as a targeted social safety net that help increase enrolment rates, reduce absenteeism, and provide vital nutrition for children who might otherwise not receive sufficient nutrition at home. It is well documented that well-nourished and healthy schoolchildren are better equipped to learn, fulfill their potential as adults and participate in a country’s development process as productive citizens. Governments all around the world are implementing school meals programmes in high, middle- and low-income countries, as the programmes have the potential to be catalysts for human capital development, boosting local economic growth, strengthening food systems and agricultural development.

Dr. Mohammad Jehanzeb Khan, Deputy Chairman, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives highlighted that the challenges of education are correlated with poverty. Nutritional deficiencies resulting from poverty have a heavy impact on learning. The resultant learning and nutritional deficiencies persisting into adulthood suppress productivity of the human resources and the country’s capacity to be competitive. Therefore, a shift towards school meals through an effective and sustained process is imperative to achievement of Pakistan’s goals in fighting against poverty and providing opportunities of quality education to all children, especially girls.

In her concluding remarks Ms. Shazia Marri, the Minister of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Pakistan to ensure that every child in the country has equal opportunities to learn and thrive. The Government of Pakistan has made investment in the early 1,000 days of a child through the ongoing stunting prevention programme “Benazir Nashonuma” which benefits children under 2 years of age and pregnant and breastfeeding women. In the same way, the Government is equally committed to extend the investment to 8,000 days of a child with improved access to education, nutrition, food and necessary services. The Government has already signed the declaration of the school meals coalition and is fully committed to ensuring that every child has access to a nutritious healthy meal at school by 2030.

Chris Kaye, Representative and Country Director of WFP Pakistan, stressed the importance of an integrated approach to secure the multiple benefits of a school feeding programme. “Pakistan’s experience in the past has been sporadic and project-based, which unfortunately has not created a sustained impact”, he said. However, it was hoped that the combined efforts of the Ministries of Education, Health Agriculture as well as Development and Planning at provincial and federal levels will enable the development of a national school meals policy that can support the context-specific school models across the country.

During the two-day national consultation, the participants will review existing school meals programmes in Pakistan as well as those that are being implemented in countries in Southeast Asia in order to identify best practices and the most applicable models. 

In addition to technical experts from Federal and Provincial Government, the consultation was also attended by distinguished guests from donor countries, UN, private sector, non-governmental organizations and media.

 

 

 Assad: the survivor

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic studies

There are so many titles for the Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad but the most outstanding is his quest for peace that made him survive when almost most of the countries joined one way or another in the Western-supported and finance civil war. The Syrian president faced tremendous pressure to toe the western line. The western powers did everything to make him kneel including open support to Jabhatul Nusra, which is a new name for Al-Qaeda but he never budged.

Believing in the cause of the Syrian people, Assad introduced reform and formed an inclusive and non-sectarian government.

The stick that has been used by the countries opposing him is unilateral economic sanctions, making Assad’s key backers, Iran, Russia, and China, continue to prop up his government somehow unhindered. Sanctions failed to deliver; making him maneuver as he and his father have done for decades.

Assad realized that submitting to the demands of US-led western countries would be disastrous and a tool to overthrow him from power.

Assad had conducted elections successfully despite terror threats and won a massive mandate. Since then he never looked back. He got massive support in the 2021 elections. For the first time in the Syrian Presidential elections, two candidates participated along with Assad. The turnout was 78.64. Assad won over 13 million votes or over 95.1 percent.

Pakistan has always supported Syria on the highest levels. In 2010, President Asif Zardari paid a state visit t to Syria to meet with President Bashar al-Assad  to expedite the exchange of delegations at both government and private levels in political and economic sectors, eventually signing a trade treaty in 2010

Ultimately after the start of the Syrian civil war, Pakistan adopted a policy of neutrality and pushed its non-belligerent role during the conflict. The official stand of Pakistan keenly opposes the use of military strikes against Syria. At the meeting of the UNSC, Pakistan abstained from the vote on an anti-Syria resolution in the UN GENERAL Assembly Conference held by Iran, Pakistan urged the international community to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

Pakistan has strongly urged the United States and western powers to avoid the use of military force in Syria. In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesperson AizazChaudhry maintained that Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected. Pakistan has greatly expressed deep concerns over the ongoing violence and threat of possible American military action looming large over already embattled Syria.

By December 2015, Pakistan's foreign affairs stated that it is against any attempt to topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Almost all Arab countries changed their stances and opened their diplomatic missions in Damascus. Peace has ultimately won.

  World Press Freedom Day

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 4,  2022: Today, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, we wish to recall the paramount importance of ensuring journalists and media workers can work freely, independently, and safely, without hindrances, threats, or violent reprisals. Every day, we are reminded of how vital the information they provide is for democracy, the promotion, and protection of human rights, fighting corruption, sustainable development, and preserving international peace and security.

 

Multiple resolutions, declarations, and commitments on the safety of journalists have been adopted by our respective bodies, including the 2021 UN General Assembly resolution on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity (A/RES/76/173), the 2020 Human Rights Council resolution on the safety of journalists (A/HRC/RES/45/18), and the 2021 Windhoek+30 Declaration on information as a public good (UNESCO General Conference Resolution 41C.41). In addition, the wider UN system developed a multistakeholder coordination framework known as the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, adopted by the UN principals in 2012.

As we mark the 10th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action this year, we welcome the considerable progress made over the past decade in the implementation of the Plan. We applaud those governments which have made the safety of journalists a priority, within their borders and beyond, and highlight the significant contribution of civil society organizations that are committed to advancing media freedom and safety. Still, too many challenges prevail, including high levels of impunity for crimes against journalists, a rise in the number of journalists detained and increased legal harassment against them, online violence, the use of surveillance tools to hinder the journalist’s work, increased attacks on women journalists, and the rise of killings in non-conflict environments.

 

As we embark on the last decade to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, it is important to remember the contribution of freedom of expression, press freedom, and access to information to all other rights, such as quality education, the eradication of poverty, and access to justice and healthcare. 

 

This is why, as we look forward to 10 more years of progress in defending the safety of journalists, freedom of expression, and access to information for all, we call on the Member States, the UN system, regional bodies, civil society, the judiciary, and all concerned actors to join forces in furthering the objectives of the UN Plan of Action. By working together to strengthen its implementation and reach SDG Target 16.10, we can continue to build a safer and more enabling environment for journalists and media workers, and protect the right of every citizen to reliable, and, often, lifesaving information.

 

 

 THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute For Strategic Studies

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, May 2,  2022: The following is the message of the UNSG Antonio Guterres on the 25^th anniversary of the entry into force of the chemical weapons convention:

Today marks the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction.

 

The Chemical Weapons Convention has been a major achievement in the history of disarmament and a powerful testament to the security benefits that multilateral instruments can provide.

 

We cannot allow an erosion of this essential pillar of the disarmament and non-proliferation regime.

 

The use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances, is a serious violation of international law.  There can be no justification for their use.

 

It is imperative that those responsible for using these abhorrent weapons are identified and held accountable, for the sake of the victims and to prevent any future chemical warfare.

 

On this anniversary, let us renew our commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and together build a safer, more secure world for all.