Pakistan People's Party Senator Farhatullah Babar says Pakistani society became dehumanized during the 1980s leading to extremism and intolerance at all levels which can be reversed with the rebirth of politics of left based on the notion of 'justice for all'. He expressed these views while speaking at the launch of a book on the life of revolutionary leader Jam Saqi titled:Jam Saqi: Chale Chalo Keh Wo Manzil Abhi nahi Aye'. at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad. The book, authored by Ahmad Salim and Nuzhat Abbas, covered various aspects and dimensions of the epic struggle of comrade Jam Saqi for the restoration of democracy and human rights. Raja Taimur Hassan has more to tell...

The Federal Ministry of Climate Change fully supports the civil society coalition, as its objectives are aligned with the policies of the ministry; it is the civil society that can push the government to implement Paris Agreement, says Zahid Hamid, the Federal Minister for Climate Change, at the launching ceremony of "Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC)" in Islamabad. The coalition’s founding members include: Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Regional Institute of Policy Research and Training (RIPORT), Water Environment Forum (WEF), Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), Pakistan Green Building Council (Pak-GBC), Society for the Conservation and Protection of the Environment (SCOPE), and Mountain and Glacier Protection Organization (MGPO). Raja Taimur Hassan has the story...

Certain elements are promoting extremism in the country in the name of philanthropy, and to control this increasing trend , a foolproof regulatory mechanism needs to be devised, says Dr Muhmmad Iqbal, the Member Federal Board of Revenue while speaking at a pre-budget seminar titled: 'Federal Budget 2017-18 and Philanthropy Sector', organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad. Raja Taimur Hassan has the story...

After a brief lull, companies have picked up on investment in the telecom sector. Fulfilling Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the business plan, says Mr Maham Dard, the Director Corporate Affairs of Zong. For more watch 'Coffee Table,' with Tahir Dhindsa...

The Hindu community in Pakistan lives in peace along with the Muslims, says Pujari (custodian) of Krishna mandir in Rawalpindi while speaking at a Coffee Table programme of SDTV. He said the new Marriage Act and the electoral reforms should be framed keeping in view the community's identity and representation. For more watch coffee Table with Tahir Dhindsa...

An Analysis of Panama Papers Scandal Judgment Host: Tahir Dhindsa Guest: Muhammad Ikram Chaudhry : Senior Advocate Supreme court of Pakistan

There is a long-lasting impact of conflict on livelihood and well-being of people. The consequences of conflict are often ignored by policymakers who are keen to 'move-on' post-conflict. A session on 'The Legacies of Conflict' held during the 19th SDC discussed as to how people are affected by violence and war crimes. Raja Taimur Hassan has the story...

Peace cannot be restored in conflict-hit areas unless trust between people and state is rebuild in line with the state being the protector of life and property, says Mian Gul Adnan Aurangzeb while speaking at a session on 'Building Capacity in Conflicts' organized by SDPI in Islamabad on the occasion of 19th Sustainable Development Conference. Raja Taimur Hassan has the story...

Stressing the need to re-evaluate social protection programmes, Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan, the Dean at National University of Science and Technology (NUST) says governments should consult local leaders for rebuilding livelihoods to restore peace in conflict-hit areas. He was speaking at a panel discussion titled: Community Driven Development and Social Protection in Conflicts, organized on the occasion of 19th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) by SDPI in Islamabad.Raja Taimur Hassan has the story...

Stressing the need for strategic planning to curb terrorism and extremism from the society, Awami National Party (ANP) leader Afrasiab Khattak says Pakistan is a security state where extremism is still flourishing due to the wrong policies of the state. Speaking at a session on "Challenges of conflict and services delivery in South Asia" held on the occasion of 19th Sustainable Development Conference organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute in Islamabad, he says state policies need to be corrected, as in the presence of Afghan policy, peace cannot prevail. Raja Taimur Hassan has the story...

Provincial governments are determined to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are now engaged in building capacities and increasing resources in this regard. Provinces can share indigenous strategies and learn from each other's experiences. Kashmala Chaudhry has the story...

We need to understand the situation of people in post-conflict areas so as to improve their lives and livelihoods by engaging all the segments of society in development, say speakers at a panel discussion on ‘Gender, Conflict and Livelihoods Recovery’ during the 19th Sustainable Development Conference organized by SDPI in Islamabad. They said that women constitute more anti-war resilience that need to be harnessed by the civil society. Raja Taimur Hassan has the report…