Battle for Democracy: A Civilian Uprising Against Judicial Control and Erosion of Fundamental Rights in Pakistan

The current protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Islamabad represent a critical juncture in Pakistan's political landscape. These protests arise in response to proposed constitutional amendments that many fear will undermine the independence of the Supreme Court. Central to these protests is the widespread sentiment that the amendments are being rushed through by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa before his term ends, potentially eroding the judiciary's autonomy and consolidating government control over the courts. PTI supporters, including law-abiding citizens, view these amendments as a direct attack on the country's democratic foundations.

The protests have paralyzed much of the state's functioning, as the city has been blocked with hundreds of containers and checkpoints while PTI workers attempt to rally at D-Chowk. This movement aims to mobilize citizens to prevent these constitutional changes, which many believe will pave the way for further autocratic measures. The government's response has been heavy-handed, with restrictions on PTI's assembly rights, raising concerns about the violation of constitutional guarantees like freedom of speech and assembly.

In a broader context, these protests reflect deep-rooted frustrations with the state's current trajectory. From economic decline to increasing authoritarianism, citizens fear that the crisis may worsen without meaningful change. Amidst these challenges, there is also fear that the ethno-nationalist and religious extremist forces could gain traction, further destabilizing the country. This protest, therefore, is more than just about PTI or Imran Khan, it represents a struggle for the soul of Pakistan and its democratic integrity.

From Akora Khattak to Iowa: My Journey from Global UGRAD Participant to Environmental Advocate

 From Akora Khattak to Iowa: My Journey from Global UGRAD Participant to Environmental Advocate

"My journey from a small town in Pakistan to becoming a global citizen started with the Global UGRAD Pakistan program. Growing up in Akora Khattak, I had dreams but never imagined the doors that would open when I was selected for this life-changing exchange program. The experience was more than just a trip to the United States—it was a journey that would transform me as a person, as a student, and as a leader.

The moment I stepped into Iowa, everything felt different—the vast fields, the open skies, and the cultural diversity on campus. Coming from a town like Akora Khattak, this new world seemed daunting at first. I asked myself: How would I adapt? How could I represent my community, my country, and the values I grew up with in a place so far from home? But soon, I found that despite our differences, the core of human connection remained the same. People were kind, welcoming, and just as curious about my story as I was about theirs.

My time in the U.S. made me realize that the Global UGRAD program was not just about attending classes and fulfilling academic requirements. It was about personal growth, cultural exchange, and stepping out of my comfort zone. The program encouraged me to see the world from new perspectives and to think critically about the global challenges we all face. And while the academic learning was valuable, it was the real-world exposure that made the most impact on me.

I vividly remember the day I gave a presentation about Pakistan to my classmates. It wasn’t just a routine task; it was an opportunity to share my culture, my heritage, and the beauty of my homeland. Standing there, in the heart of Iowa, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride—representing not only Pakistan but also Akora Khattak, my roots, and the stories that shaped me. That moment encapsulated everything the Global UGRAD program was about—cross-cultural understanding, respect, and the exchange of ideas.

It was during this time that I started to notice a new passion emerging within me. My interest in environmental issues grew, sparked by various sustainability workshops and discussions on campus. Living in a community like Akora Khattak, where agriculture is deeply intertwined with daily life, I had seen how climate change affected livelihoods. But it was only through my UGRAD experience that I started to understand the global scope of these issues. Climate change wasn’t just about melting ice caps and rising temperatures—it was about people, communities, and the future of our planet.

Returning to Pakistan, I felt a deep sense of responsibility. Global UGRAD had taught me not just about leadership and advocacy but about the importance of taking action. The environmental issues I had learned about in the U.S. were impacting my own community. I could no longer stand by as a bystander. Inspired by what I had learned, I founded a youth-led climate advocacy organization aimed at addressing these pressing challenges at home. We started small, organizing local initiatives, but soon, our efforts grew. We held the province’s first-ever youth green festival and a successful youth camp in Swat Valley. These were not just events—they were platforms for young people to engage, learn, and take ownership of their future.

This transition from being a Global UGRAD participant to an environmental advocate wasn’t without its challenges. Leading a grassroots movement required patience, resilience, and the ability to bring people together. But the skills I had gained during my exchange—communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity—were instrumental in navigating these hurdles. I learned how to engage with communities, listen to their concerns, and build trust, much like I had learned to do while adapting to life in the U.S.

Looking back, I realize how pivotal Global UGRAD was in shaping my path. It didn’t just give me an education; it gave me a mission. It opened my eyes to the power of youth-driven initiatives and the potential for global cooperation in solving local problems. The program gave me the confidence to take my ideas beyond the classroom and into the real world, whether through environmental advocacy or leadership in community projects.

For those of you considering the Global UGRAD Pakistan program, I want to share this: it’s more than just a scholarship. It’s a platform for self-discovery, a chance to represent your country, and a journey that will challenge you to grow in ways you never thought possible. You might start this program as a student, but you’ll emerge as a leader, an advocate, and a change-maker. Global UGRAD shaped me into an environmental advocate, but your journey could lead you to any number of paths that make a difference.

Take the leap. Apply for Global UGRAD. Trust me, the experiences, the lessons, and the opportunities you gain will last a lifetime. You never know where this journey might lead, but I promise, it will be worth it."

Unwavering Resolve: The Case for the soul of the Nation

 

Dawn, Pakistan's leading newspaper, features a poignant yet imaginative portrayal of the 2024 election, with Imran Khan dominating the political scene while subtly positioned in the background.

Over time, I've been contemplating whom to vote for in the next general elections. Despite occasional disappointments with the previous government led by Imran Khan, I've been delving into the intricacies of governance and the will to reform. I've weighed the pros and cons of established legacy parties. As time has passed, I've come to realize the immense impact of COVID-19 on the globe, especially in South Asia. Understanding the challenges of a cash-strapped country like ours, I've started to appreciate how well we've coped with such a calamity, showing resilience amid difficulties.

There have been anguishes, but overall, there was a sense of optimism, especially inspired by the leadership at the top, which exuded confidence and a clear sense of direction. Admittedly, Khan's government had been weak and dependent on allies. While in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) the situation hasn't been as dire, Khan must have learned that dealing with blackmailing politicians requires a firm stance rather than appeasement. Reflecting on figures like Pervaiz Khattak, their betrayal might have been deeply hurting.

Then came the no-confidence moment, a notorious event in our history. It seemed like all forces had aligned to remove one man from the scene. Despite valiant resistance, led by the party often dubbed as the "burger party," Khan faced vehement opposition. Constitutional supremacists rose against him, reducing his narrative to conspiracy theories when he claimed the regime change was externally orchestrated by internal players—a claim vindicated over time.

As Khan rallied the masses, becoming a potent threat, the gloves came off gradually. Pressure mounted on him to relent, yet he persisted, fighting within the bounds of the constitution. However, his right to protest was curtailed, and state machinery was mercilessly employed against his supporters. Journalists reporting on regime brutalities faced persecution, with some forced into exile.

Despite facing over 200 bogus cases, Khan remained resolute, demanding fair trials. The turning point came on May 9th, when he was unlawfully dragged from court premises, sparking a chain of events that led to tragic fatalities among peaceful protestors. Blame was shifted onto Khan, providing an easy route for those seeking to counter his mass support with naked force.

Many protestors were coerced into apologies, while others faced relentless persecution. This crackdown, enabled by bought commentators and activists once vocal for the rule of law, became a grotesque spectacle, with words losing their meaning. Even those who despised Khan begrudgingly saved face with token tweets, as press conferences unfolded in dramatic fashion.

The crackdown on dissent became absurd, with erstwhile champions of justice and constitution remaining conspicuously silent, enabling the brutality unfolding in broad daylight.

During these crackdowns, over 10,000 political workers were unjustly jailed without trial for months. They were relentlessly pursued, and their families faced harassment. Many party members endured unimaginable horrors during this time. Women were forcibly removed from their homes, and even children were not spared. Journalists disappeared without a trace. Political leaders began to change their stances intermittently, following the infamous "software updates," a term that has been strangely glamorized despite its sinister implications. It's not a matter to be taken lightly—people vanish, enduring unspeakable torture in harsh cells, only to reappear with altered political loyalties. This should have been vehemently resisted, but those who claim to champion civilian rights remained silent. Human rights organizations joined the fray very late, much like our law enforcement agencies often do after crimes are committed.

Throughout these events, international capitals wielding global power turned a blind eye. Khan was anathema to them due to his pursuit of an independent foreign policy that prioritized Pakistan's interests above all else. Then came a time when media outlets began to silence the name of Imran Khan under the influence of extremely powerful forces. They became monotonous and steadily lost legitimacy, much like the so-called civilian supremacists. It became clear to those who had already transitioned to social media why electronic media was declining.

Meanwhile, the man in the cell, popularly known as Prisoner 804, remained undeterred. He was presented with difficult choices—leave the country or hand over the reins of the party to a more favorable figure—but he refused. He opted to resist and face the sham trials. One by one, convictions were handed down in kangaroo courts. The masks came off the faces of so-called favorite judges, once touted as mavericks. Their televised proceedings only revealed the mockery of justice, as the whole nation witnessed the election symbol being snatched from Khan's PTI, a fundamental right of the people according to Article 17 of the constitution, with widespread consensus.

The Election Commission displayed bias and a stunted approach in dealing with this particular party. Their internal affairs were scrutinized microscopically, revealing a judiciary acting as both judge and executioner, with orders originating from elsewhere. This drama persisted in the trial courts, where a secretive and biased trial aimed at convicting the country's most popular leader unfolded. He was convicted and once again became a prisoner, not of any crime, but of conscience. His character was tarnished through a farcical case, and he was convicted of a crime he never committed. His family, including his wife, was also dragged into this sordid affair. However, the masses never bought into this scheme; his approval ratings only increased as the elections approached. With the highest penetration of cellular phones, Pakistanis were well aware of the events through independent journalism.

Amidst the circus, Election Day has arrived, and here I am. I am voting for the constitutional supremacy of civilians and the rule of law in our country. Defeating Khan would mean betraying the dream envisioned by the founder of our nation. This is a betrayal I am not willing to concede, hence my vote for Khan.

Revisiting Perspectives: Bridging Generational Gaps

In a world where the limelight often shines brightly on the achievements and ambitions of the youth, it's essential to cast a compassionate and critical eye on the wisdom and experiences of our elders. The generation gap sometimes blinds us to the chronic and systematic inadequacies in our society, many of which were shaped by their own generations.

There's a sense of entitlement that comes with being an elder, and rightfully so, given the wealth of experience they've accumulated over the years. But here's the thing - having that wealth of experience doesn't always mean having a pulse on the current happenings and understanding the complex economic and social injustices that persist in our society.

It's not a blame game; it's a call for introspection. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the challenges faced today are vastly different from those of yesteryears. It's not easy for our elders to adapt to these changes, and that's where the real dilemma lies. The lessons they've learned throughout their lives can be hard to change.

Change isn't easy, especially in this age bracket. However, it's imperative that we engage in open, respectful dialogues to bridge this generational gap. We must encourage our elders to embrace the changes, to revisit their perspectives, and to acknowledge that our society still grapples with deeply rooted issues. Together, we can work towards a better and more just Pakistan, one that values both the wisdom of the past and the vigor of the future.

Let's cherish our elders and respect their wisdom while working hand in hand to address the chronic systemic inadequacies in our society. Change may be stiffer in this age bracket, but it's never impossible.

Khushal Khan Khattak Thought Provoking Poetry

The Rosette Nebula, some say depicts a human skull

Credit: NASA/ESA

Truly ahead of his time, Khushal Baba urges human beings to realize its true potential and place in the vast universe through these verses:

جهانونه څه لژ نه دې

ته ئي نه وينې نا دانه

ګوره څو دي هسې زمکې

ګوره څو هسې اسمانه

واړه ځائے دي ستا په زړۀ کښې

اے تر عرشه لوئي انسانه

آئينه د زړه صیقل کړه

چې اې اووینې اے جانه

كه دې دا ننداره وشي

جدا نۀ ئي له سبحانه

خوشحال بابا

Book (Chapter) Review: Securitization and Desecuritization

 Book (Chapter) Review

Securitization and Desecuritization

Introduction

The author of this chapter “Securitization and Desecuritization” has enhanced our conceptual comprehension of security through pros and cons of the “traditionalist” and “post-modernist” approaches. We can grasp the whole concept, history and rationale behind the term “Security” by studying its ingredients. The notion that “more security is better” is also challenged. Furthermore, the concept is being analyzed through the lens of European security. I have added my concluding thoughts at the end of this review paper.

Key words: Military, war, state, national, human, environmental and societal security, integration, fragmentation

Critical Discussion

Security can be roughly termed as a challenge to the opponent’s will and imposing our (own) will. Security of the people is a broad topic and all encompassing while in essence, the concept of individual and international security is nonexistent. The term national security is a terminology corresponding to state security while non-state security is abstract. Hence, comparing both on the same level is a contradictory approach. Similarly, Barry Buzan’s book: People, state and fear (1983) had inherent flaws where national, international and individual security was discussed in the same pyramid of security (on equal level). 

It is possible to re-imagine the concept of security from a new lens but it must be true to the classical discussion on security. In essence the over emphasis on military can be minimized and the non-military security agendas can be emphasized. According to Morgenthau, the use of military as a means of security mechanism is not an automatic choice but given certain circumstances, it is the best available choice in terms of national security. In contemporary world, the paradigm of military in terms of security is shifting towards political, economic, ecological and societal factors.

Logic of war replaces politics in a conflict according to “Clausewitz”. ”Rousseau” further stated that in war, the individuals are enemies by accident as the defenders of their motherland. The fundamental questions of legitimacy, sovereignty and identity as a state are asked when wars are fought between two states. War is an act by the opponent to fulfill his will and derive recognition through this struggle. Due to this important fact, one cannot underestimate the institution of “War”. On the other hand, National security is a complex, diverse and inter subjective concept and therefore, must not be gauged on the scale of some specific yardstick. It is an overarching concept.

From Alternate to Security: The Speech Act

Security is the presence of a security challenge and a response taken to mitigate it while “insecurity” means the presence of security problem but no response towards it. Security discourse most often originates from the elites with “class interests” and hence the term may not be necessarily attributed with a “positive phenomenon”. The elites and power holders’ transform a problem into national security issue in order to gain control and satisfy their inherent interests. The clash of East and West Europe was basically the securitization for the preservation of the system linked to the survival of elite on both sides. However, as the term security is manipulated by the elites, it is also possible to de-securitize the situation in order to escape the negative connotations associated with the term “security”. Such a situation is termed as “Speech Act Failure” and is relevant in terms of Eastern and West European relations in 1980s.

European Détente (1980s)

The advent of European détente was based on avoiding the security conflict which would have triggered negative consequences due to the presence of nuclear stockpiles on both sides of the conflict: Capitalist Western Europe and Communist Eastern Europe. Due to the mentioned circumstances in Europe, the stabilization of status quo was the main discourse. The Western Europe was preoccupied with militarized thinking as it was secured internally while Eastern Europe focused more on its economic and domestic stability concerns. The changes that occurred after the collapse of communism was largely due to the lack of central authority in eastern European countries as the elites lost self confidence and the shift occurred rapidly due to a vacuum. In the past, leaders would be sacrificed and a new clique would appoint a leader while structural changes would be ignored but in 1989, this impulse did not carried forward. Hence, the “Security Speech act” faced with failure and lost its relevance in this case. The debate revolving security mechanism became an unattractive notion to rally people around the idea. As a consequence of this event, the institutions and structures were enhanced and maximized to enable this status quo.

The placement of environment in the sphere of security is conceptually inadequate as the threat of environment to security is unintentional. In classical traditions, there ought to be one aggressor who wants to impose their will on the opponent. The plausible reason for putting the environment in the security paradigm is: (a) emphasize the environmental security (b) Urge popular support for the cause.

Secondly, according to Moss, the response of the state to tackle environmental security issues can lead to militarization of the issue and blow it out of proportions. According to Dan Deudney, the tendency to put environment as external phenomena directs human behavior towards “us versus them” and distracts the mankind own contribution to the environmental problems. In addition, the environmental security could end up as the political weapon in the hands of totalitarian left and damage the peace and tranquility of society with a manufactured security narrative. Although, he views ecological awareness as the possible way forward as opposed to regressive security logic as a driver of human aspirations and ambitions. Buzan and Moss suggests intertwining the environmental issue as one of the economic problem and view that this will put the environment on top priority across the world without the need of regressive steps being taken in the name of environmental security.

The concept of societal security and preservation is a big debate across the world and especially in Europe. With the vast migration in the past few decades, the debate is revolving around a) either to ingrate the refugees and migrants in the society b) consider it a problem and deal with it. The argument is that the minority surge will strengthen their dominance and challenge the societal values of the majority. The debate could either be taken over by: (a) Neo-Nazis that believes in homophobia or (b) the group trying to tell people that their concerns regarding the migration is invalid, which is known as “pedagogical approach”. 

One way forward could be to stop putting these issues under the realm of security in order to refrain from complicating it. However, this is easier said than done because societies are closely connected to political security, which gives legitimacy to the state or the government. However, the boundaries of the state and society are not the equal. The society identifies themselves with set of symbols, values and convictions. State needs sovereignty while the society needs identity.

In the evolving era, the political authority and territorial state is eroding in some cases such as Euro Model. In this case, as the culture is deemed under threat from Europeanization, the answer is to enhance existing identities under the union. For example, Denmark has taken steps to reinforce Danish traits of its culture as a mechanism to instill its uniqueness inside the European Union, term broadly outlined as “Cultural Security”

In the above societal security discussion, two basic questions arise: (a) Whether state identities will erode (b) Will EU member states go back to adapt the nation state identities. The current paradigm is to paint the first option as fragmentation of the Europe and second one as the integration of Europe guaranteeing its security.

It is often asserted that the state speaks for the society but this argument cannot be generalized. Most often, the establishment elites of the society enhance their interests in the garb of “will of the society”. The velvet revolution in Czechoslovakia is one of the rarest moments where the non-elected civic forum was recognized as the genuine voice of the society. The voices of society are most often controversial and always countered by an alternative narrative. 

In view of the above discourse, we can envision the migration related problems in Europe. The prevalent view of a humanitarian issue and domestic economic issue is clouded by concerns from society about possible security issues emanating from migration. The securitizing of policies on racist grounds could fuel further racist currents in the society.

The Europe’s chief goals post 1989 was to limit the options of fragmentation on the pretext of security and apprehensions of destabilization. The main threat is cited as Balkanization of Europe. Hence, without naming any enemy, the political and military status quo in Europe is maintained. NATO also favors to defend the allied countries against uncertainty which is an implicit acknowledgement of the status quo in Europe and elsewhere.

John Deloras argued in favor of European integration by embracing the migration. This progressive argument enables EU strength and would decrease the chances of wars and conflicts owing to intertwined interests. In essence it is the continuation of Hobbesian principles of anti-anarchy discourse and the enhancement of Euro-State. Europe has two options: (a) to embrace the stateless identity as currently and hence preserve integration of the Europe and decrease perceived threats (b) To embrace state identity and brace for world power influence in their affairs.

My Concluding Remarks

In the light of the abovementioned discourse, we have understood the concept of national security, human security, environmental and societal security from different perspectives. The conventional concept of security corresponded to national or state security which has evolved with the passage of time. The usage of term in various contexts was comprehended in great details. The drawbacks of securitizing the national, societal and environmental problems were discussed. The European Union model of regional identity and its corresponding nation states model were compared in the context of enhancing security and the evolving perspectives. The issues of territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as the erosion of national identities were discussed post the cold war era. How the elites can define the narrative on security and the common perception of being the voice of society all came under the scanner. The most pertaining dilemma of immigration and the European debate of integrating the new migrants into the society versus the debate on excluding them are also discussed. In current era, the debate can be found more pertinent after the “Brexit” or the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and how the debate of integration may take a blow. Hence, we can assume that the discussion on security can be comprehended with clarity after reading the abovementioned chapter “Securitization and Desecuritization”

Community Development Initiative Report: "Stress and Depression in Higher Education institutes of KP During Post-COVID Era: How to Cope With it" (2022)

 Community Development Initiative Report 

Stress and Depression in Higher Education Institutes of KP during Post-COVID Era: How to Cope With It (2022)

Introduction

"Stress and Depression in Higher Education institutes of KP During Post-COVID Era: How to Cope With it" was a two day webinar series by the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, sponsored by US Department of state and IREX, that brought together aspiring young scholars and students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Higher Institutes to discuss the actual problems they face regarding mental health. This interactive session highlighted the social and behavioral problems, poor performance and learning, and low self-esteem issues due to anxiety and depression that the students were facing during the Post-COVID era. It aimed to provide different suggestions and solutions regarding these specific mental health issues as how to cope up with them. It also raised awareness among youth regarding ongoing challenges and their possible solutions. The aim of this webinar is to bring awareness in the stake holders of education about the importance of mental health throughout the life of a student. Education system in our country provides little room for a healthy mind and is rather more of passive learning and overburdening the mind with continuous memorization of knowledge. Mostly students find it difficult to link the knowledge learnt in school relating to the practical life. In higher education institutions, students that come from such base, often find it difficult to pursue a career they really want without being under the pressure of social groups or being under the biases of their own mind in relation to the society. Thus, it was important, especially in Post-COVID situations, that we highlight the pressures on the student's mind and look for possible solutions.

Themes

Following were the selected themes for the webinar we carried out:

1. Exam Anxiety in Post-COVID era  (Day 1)
2. Social Pressure in Deciding the Career Paths  (Day 2)

Date, Time and Format

The team chose to conduct the session on 7th and 8th June, 2022 at around 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) and the mode of communication was "Online" through Google Meet.

Organizers

Mr. Muhammad Furqan Khattak (Institute of Peace and Conflict), a Global UGRAD Pakistan Alumni, led the planning team and selected students as planning team members for the webinar through an open evaluation application through Google forms call and filtered about 11 suitable applicants with desired skills.

Below is a table of brief information about the planning team:

      Name                                         Department                                      Duty

Ms. Reikhmeena Babar           Institute of Peace and Conflict             Graphic Designing

Mr. Hidayat Ullah                   Institute of Peace and Conflict             Technical Assistance

Mr. Mehran Fida                   Institute of Peace and Conflict              Human Resource Management

Mr. Mehran-Ullah                   Department of International Relations      Technical Assistance

Mr. Ijlal Riffat                           Department of International Relations      Meeting Minutes / Reporting 

Mr. Hamza Niaz                   Department of International Relations      Moderator Day 1/Logistics

Ms. Eshma Talwasa           Department of International Relations       Moderator Day 2 

Ms. Areej Waqar                   Department of Psychology                       Logistics

Ms. Urooj Raza Khan           Department of Psychology                      Communication/Concept Note

Ms. Umm-e-Hani                   Department of Development Studies       Logistics

Ms. Fatima Feroz                   Department of Gender Studies               Communication/Final Report

After selecting the volunteers, a proper concept note was formed by Fatima and Urooj. Meetings were held intermittently to discuss the plan in library of Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), University of Peshawar (UoP) and under 18-20 days a Technical Committee was formed with Hidayat, Mehran Ullah and Hamza as members for handling the technical issues throughout the sessions. Reporting Committee was formed which included Fatima and Ijlal for note-making of meetings and reporting. Digital Committee included Reikhmeena for creative designs and posters. Communication Committee included Urooj, Eshma and Fatima for interacting with the speakers and communicating with them. Under the Logistics, Um-e-Hani, Mehran Fida and Areej were responsible for the resource management along with Hamza. With the dedication of the team the 2 day session was carried out successfully.

Introduction of Speakers

Day 1 Speakers

Ms. Nadia Ebrahim

Miss Nadia Ebrahim has completed her MA degree in Clinical Psychology with Gold Medal along with her diploma in the same field from University of Peshawar. She is currently lecturer at the Department of Psychology and in-charge of Psychology Clinic and Member of the Clinical Committee at Department of Psychology, University of Peshawar.

Ms. Rabia Fayyaz

Miss Rabia is a Clinical Psychologist with almost ten years of professional experience in practicing psychotherapy and counseling with patients including victims of gender based violence, domestic violence, trauma victims, survivor of disaster, people with physical disabilities, vulnerable street children and adolescents. She conducted capacity building trainings as Trainer on mental health and conflict management. She is currently serving as Lecturer in Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), University of Peshawar. She is an IVLP Alumni and attended program on "Peace and Tolerance". She has done an MPhil in Clinical Psychology, Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology and is currently a PhD Scholar. 

Day 2 Speakers

Mr. M. Adil Khattak

Mr. M. Adil Khattak, Chief Executive Officer of Attock Refinery Limited since 2005 has been associated with The Attock Oil Group for the last 45 years. Mr. Khattak has extensive experience in engineering, maintenance, human resource management, project management and marketing. Mr. Khattak also holds the positions of Chief Executive Officer of Attock Gen Limited, Attock Hospital (Pvt.) Ltd. and National Cleaner Production Centre. He is Alternate Director of Attock Petroleum Limited and Director of Petroleum Institute of Pakistan. He is also a Member on the Boards of Governors of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology and Sustainable Development Policy Institute. Mr. Khattak is President of Attock Sahara Foundation and an NGO which is working for the poor and needy people of Morgah along with its surrounding areas. Mr. Khattak holds a Master's degree in Engineering from Texas Tech University, USA and has attended many technical, financial and management programs in institutions of International Repute in Pakistan, USA, Europe and Japan.

Mr. Aamir Habib Khattak

Mr. Amir has done his BS Hons. in Psychology from the University of Sargodha. During his studies, he went to US as an Exchange student to study "Comparative Public Policy" from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst USA. Additionally, he holds a Masters degree in Political Science with Majors in Public Administration and International Organization. Currently, he is doing MS Clinical Psychology from the University of Lahore. He worked with British Council as a BCSO Ambassador. He had worked with SACH-struggle for change, SAHIL-against child sexual abuse & International Medical Corps as a Psychologist at various refugee camps. He has joined HRD Network under U.S.  Embassy/Mission in Pakistan as a Lincoln Corner/American Program Officer where he was managing 18 Lincoln Corners all over Pakistan located in different Universities and Public Libraries. He had implemented three PUAN projects; 2 on Career Counseling and 1 on practical implication of education, self-hygiene, and security for school Kids with Govt. of Punjab and KP. He has also worked with Emperor Marketing as an Organizational Psychologist. He is also working on his initiative at Voice of Mind and various consultancies with different firms along with Ministry of National Education and Republic of Turkey Governmental Educational Institute in Islamabad as a Career Counselor/Psychologist.

Ms. Mary Pervaiz

 

Miss Mary Pervaiz is the CEO of Thrive Services. She is a psychologist and Analyst at Express News of the show “Mind Matters”. She also holds the position of Vice President of Pakistan-US Alumni Network and has been a Corporate Consultant for companies like PEL, Zameen.com, Stewart Pakistan and Beacon House. 

Day 1

Participants

About 100 participants were selected for attending the session through an online form submission. Among the 100 filtered participants, about 85 individuals attended the session on 7th June, 2022. 

Starting of the Session

The session was started at 2:00 PM sharp by formally welcoming the participants and greeting the speakers. Mr. Hamza upon introducing himself as the moderator of the session started the introductory remarks about the session and its purpose. It aimed to address the mental health and career counselling issues faced by students of higher education and find out its coping mechanisms. 

Opening Remarks 

Mr. Donald G Maynard

(Public Affairs Officer, USCG, Peshawar)

Mr. Donald G. Maynard, who is Public Affairs Officer (US Consulate Peshawar), kickstarted the session and give his opening remarks. He thanked the team for highlighting such an important issue which normally people would neglect especially in this part of the world. He said that if a person has any medical issue then he seeks medical attention for it. Similar is for the mental health, but normally people ignore their mental health due to less importance given to it by society. 

According to a research in America, only 33% students were seeking mental health attention while in 72% students, motivation was lacking. Such problems exists elsewhere in the world. The online system has had some affects on the mental health of students and academics. Due to covid-19, 60% opportunities were restricted and quarantine made it worse. As the impacts of covid-19 situation are long lasting, we need to carefully formulate strategies for the treatment of mental health issues especially in students of higher education institutions and support each other in the coping mechanisms. 

Ms. Nadia Ebrahim

Upon the invitation of Mr. Hamza, Ms. Nadia Ebrahim started her presentation. Her strategy for presentation was speaking about the symptoms, causes and coping strategies for the students suffering from mental health issues. The presentation was started by defining anxiety as and excessive worry or concern about what will happen in the future. It means that one is being fearful of something to happen more than normal as she differentiated from normal anxiety to abnormal anxiety as positive and negative respectively. The statement thus provided us with the ratio of anxiety to the problem. If the anxiety is out of proportion to the problem or excessively increasing then, it is called as abnormal anxiety. Even if the problem is solved, the worry still lingers and affects many tasks being impedent. Similarly, in exams, the normal or positive anxiety is completely fine and goes away when the exams are over as the person thinks he/she gave their best they could. But in abnormal anxiety, the students usually suffer even after exams and that affect their performance throughout the sessions. 

Anxiety makes them unable to focus and while performing the paper, they feel if the questions are monsters and they would eat them up. The symptoms may include the nervousness, tensed and unsettled body language, overwhelming and uneasy attitude, helplessness, hopelessness, underwhelming attitude, low self-esteem in students. All of these causes poor performance in students. They feel that they are unworthy and are unable to put themselves in a good place. A constant feeling of guilt or shame lingers in them which prevents them from doing their best. Many other symptoms may include nausia, vomitting, less or more apetitie, changes in sleep patterns, tensed muscles and stiff shoulders. Due to negative cognition, students jump into conclusions and define their self-esteem through their grades. They either skip exams or find alternatives for it. Similarly if one is having a surprise test or a quiz, the person feels that if they fail once they are going to fail again. Some students also start using substances to relief themselves from anxiety. It is important to identify oneself with anxiety. 

The lack of preparation and previous failures, perfectionism and extra ordinary expectations from students by their parents or teachers lead to severe anxiety. The ideal goals vs. the practical goals often make students too stressed out over their future. Every person has different capacities which should be kept in mind while deciding for their future. Hence, everyone has different personality. In the covid-19 situation, the students who freshly got enrolled didn’t experience how the semester system works and most of them lacked the resources for online academic system. And those who were already enrolled  in senior semester had their mid-way learning badly affected as there was no teacher-student 1st hand interaction. The study environment at home is different than that in a proper academic building. There are a lot of distractions and different states of mind. The shift of questions from traditional basic to conceptual and open book, really brought frustration and anxiety in the students. But again when they got used to it, post covid-19 when the exams got back to being physically taken and tradition basic questions, students faced again a great mental health deal because it brought the same stress back. 

The coping mechanism may include sleeping as enough as 7-8 hours to feel completely fresh and ready for the day, preparation and taking notes of lectures since the day one of semester for exams, getting enough nutrition and good quality food, exercise should be included in the routine, use nemonics and tactics for utilizing the information in the exams, study in places similar to where exams would be taken, have a consistent pre-test routine, handle and solve problems or confusions by taking to the teachers, fight with the negative thoughts and feed positive quotes to mind. Slowly breathing in and out in the time of extreme stress is recommended along with contracting and relaxing the muscles simultaneously, having own watch and other stationary in exams, focus on the paper instead of others and seeking therapies would help students relief from anxiety. She suggested the students to visit a psychologist if the problem is increasing despite these coping mechanisms. 

Ms. Rabia Fayyaz

Ms. Rabia Fayyaz started her presentation and stated that anxiety is to anticipate about the future or create tension/concern about the future. Normal anxiety motivates us to work hard and improve but if the feeling of anxiety is extreme then it requires medical attention as it can become chronic illness. The symptoms of problematic anxiety may include a phobic behaviour or irrational fear of something about to happen, living in future, depression over the past and defining future by it. 

Chronic anxiety in students often comes to appearance before or after the exams and lasts for longer time. It also affects the exam and tests of the students by anticipating the future results. The uncertain situation is usually a sign of danger for students. Some students start using substances and in extreme cases take their own life. The excessive thoughts about “what if” is clearly the chronic anxiety and hence it is percieved as a threat that causes difficulty in taking any decision. The symptoms may also include butterflies in stomach and nausia. The autonomic nervous system activates automatically in such situation and the mind looks for a fight or flight reaction. Instead of dealing with the situation, the automatic nervous system is activated chronically. While in search for the fight or flight reaction, the person often freezes and is unable to decide in the long run. This also varies from individual to individual keeping in view the varying personalities of students. The stress continues without any relief and internal balance od the student is disturbed. It may also worsen the already exisiting diseases in the body of an individual. It may also lead to repetition of behavious as aggressive or using of narcotics. In students, the chronic anxiety is usually caused by incomplete study or preparation for exams. Inability for strategy making for studying and lack of organized plan for examination lead to overthinking about the outcomes of exams or tests. 

Exam anxiety during the post covid-19 era caused adaptability issues in students and they couldn’t fit in the online system, as well as the post covid shift to old system. As stated, it was variable among students due to personality differences but mostly students faced mental pressures and anxiety. The teaching methods and arrangement for classes was shifted all of a sudden to online and then back to in-person again. Thus, the perception of students changed and they quite questioned the existing education system and it’s inefficiency. The strategies to cope with these issues is simply by dividing the material for exams and studying it with a proper plan and organized way. Start studying as early as the semester begins and try to study in places similar to where the test will be taken. Establishing a persistent routine and solving problems by taking to the teachers would help a lot. Students should learn different relaxation techniques and imagine positive outcomes. Meditation can bring a huge relief to the stressing out mind. Instead of falling into perfectionism trap, students should do hardwork and believe in themselves and avoid seeing a failure as the end. Good nutrition and enough sleep combined with clearity in mind will help students overcome their anxiety.

Closing Remarks on Day 1

After having a brief question/answer session, moderator thanked the speakers for investing their time voluntarily into such an important yet neglected issue in the society. In the end, he thanked all the participants for attending the session till the end and hoped that they would have learned something fruitful from this session. He thanked all the participants for their questions and interactive remarks throughout the session. The session was ended at around 4:00 PM.  

Day 2

Participants

About 100 participants were selected for attending the session through an online form submission. Among the 100 filtered participants, about 80 individuals attended the session on 8th June, 2022. 

Start of the Session on Day 2

The session was started at 2:00 PM sharp by Eshma (moderator of the session) by welcoming all the participants and speakers. She spoke about the importance of realizing the adverse affects of covid-19 situation on the mental health of students in higher education. After brief introduction of the speakers, she invited them to speak on the theme.

Mr. M. Adil Khattak

The speaker thanked the organizers for inviting him to interact with young audience about the important issues. He said, If we talk about the facts which influence our decision in pursuing our career, one should start with concept first. Ideally speaking, it should be your own interest or your aptitude which could help you in deciding your career. Ofcourse it is easier said than done, because in the early stages we don’t even know what kind of aptitude or interest we have, so for that we should view our inner self and increase self awareness to atleast find out what kind of personality we have i-e- introvert/extrovert, as they influence our future career a lot. For example, introverts have not so good social skills so some professional marketing may not suit you. Another inportant factor would be the kind of values you have, for example, if you are more welfare oriented, you would have a different career than a person who is more into achieving their own goals. 

In some cases, even religion plays a part. I have seen guys who are othersie very good in these studies and their professional fields but they don’t like to work in banks because of interest issues which are forbidden by our religion. Also, the basic skills or talents one may have also help decide your career future like a person who has a more artistic type of personality and would be very good at painting etc, so that would be a different career part than a person who has better analytical skills and may follow another career according to his skills. It also has been noticed that even gender can make a difference in choosing a career like sometimes in brown families there are few careers available for girls. 

So instead of what you may be thinking of teaching or maybe medicine, girls can now go into many fields, it’s a wide choice of fields open for them. We have seen many successful girls/ladies working in business, engineering fields and various fields. Even currently we have a good example of a first female surgeon from Pakistan Army and that surgeon happens to be from Sawabi, KPK. So once you try to assess your own likes and dislikes of your own aptitude, the next thing which is important is that how much you are aware of the job oppurtunities around you. 

Going back to my early years, in those days you had very few career oppurtunities to choose from. I could either go for engineering or medicince or arm forces or manage to get to the civil services. Nowadays it’s a wide open field of choices. In 21st century we talk about the Food Industry Revolution, you may go for business studies, law or media, its not limited choices like back in the day. Another important point is to opt for higher education because higher education allows for more oppurtunities in a specific field which one might pursue and achieve official documentation for their skills so they can be hired for jobs with confidence. 

Parents, teachers and peer groups also influence our decisions about choosing the right career path. The best thing a youngster can do in time of choosing a path is get more exposure and information about different fields of interest and opt for the one that match with their own interests. Students should also get some experience before specialization in a certain field. Only then one can enjoy their future profession and be satisfied with their field. 

Mr. Aamir Habib Khattak

Mr. Aamir started his presentation with a remark that social factors are involved in selecting the career paths for students. The collectivist environment creates a collective decision for an individual and hence the right to freedom of choice of an individual is highly influenced by society and there is no individuality prevailed. Hence, social manipulation creates hurdles for individuals in setting up their future goals. He stated further, “It is a very stupid question to ask what is the scope of this field or that field.” He stated that the career depends upon the demand of the market.

 After the era of Pervaiz Musharraf, there was a boom in telecom industry, hence mostly people would prefer related fields to that. There is no clarity about the fields people select and its long term effect. For example, students study pre-medical and opt for BBA. He also discussed the physical limitation that students face e.g. access to a specific field of interest for students or financial issues in affording expenses and dues. So one should study the job market and demand for next few years and keep it in mind for choosing a field.  In current situation, Artificial Intellegence is the most demanded field in which a lot of development is being made. Similarly, environmental sciences for sustainability is also very important and increasingly being demanded globally. 

For specialization, similar careful strategy should be followed. Instead of blindly following a trending field like medical or engineering without having any interest in it, one should focus on developing soft skills that are usually counted in most job interviews and opportunities depend on networking. Grooming and personal development is also important for getting any job. Students should get the correct set of information regarding their field of interest. For example, one student had mistaken cyber security for psychosecurity and later on regretted choosing the field. Another important thing to be kept in mind is the personality of individual vs. the job or field they choose. For example, an introvert person should not opt for a teaching job due to daily presentations infront of a big audience of students. 

Students should also consider the social norms and limitations on certain job opportunities. For example, drugstore business in western countries is legally allowed while banned in Pakistan. One should avoid becoming another already existing personality and start grooming and improving their own personality. They should focus on developing skills that are required for their field of interest. For example, mathematics and sketching are two important skills.

Moreover, one should have an independent approach in their field of interest irrespective of society or pressure group. One should have a flexible attitude towards learning new things and handling the problems that come along. For specialization, students should understand that all the fields are interconnected and learn to relate their specialized field with practical life. For example, a BA student can easily enter a pharmacy under marketing strategies. In third world countries, students face limitations in access to education due to infrastructure, finances, lack of scholarships, transportation and costly institutions. Higher educational institutions should provide help of Alumni to the current students in terms of providing right information and guidance in selecting a specific f ield which they chose.

Ms. Mary Pervaiz

Ms. Mary started speaking on the transitional stages of youngsters in their early teenage and 20s. She connected the psychie of students with expectations of others. Mostly students define themselves by how much they please others. By others we mean their parents, peer groups, friends and teachers. If one give in to the expectations of others, student might enjoy the early income and boost of economic growth in their life that might even upgrade their lifestyle, but as the time passes by, people find their job frustrating and hence neglect their duties. Therefore, such attitudes affect the whole system of country if such students in eagerness reach to political positions. For example, a student having artistic nature would find medical frustrating and hence unable to fully understand it. And that in the long run will affect the society as whole because treatment of patients would be adversely affected due to inability of the student. 

The rights skills for the want or desire of an individual will ead to a satisfied life in future. She also discussed about the Social Cognitive Career Theory and asked students for a small activity to perform right away. She asked students to write 5-6 skills on a paper that they would be describing about themselves and after that write down 5-6 opportunities parallel to the skills that they would be getting upon polishing those skills further. She advised students to talk to themselves and listen to themselves simultanously and identify their shortcomings. Later, work on their short comings that resonate with their field of interest. She also disussed about the gender dimension in the limitation of opportunities relating it to her own experience as she worked throughout her life. She observed that men get more opportunities and access to job market as compared to women based on various factors. Men see women as subordinate to them and hence underestimate their abilities which is why it is seen as a threat to give women more or bigger opportunities because they think that women can’t work as efficient as men. 

Note of Thanks 

Mr. Muhammad Furqan Khattak

(Team Lead, CDI Project)

Mr. Muhammad Furqan Khattak, upon the invitation of Eshma, introduced himself as the US exchange program alumni leading the CDI project on Mental Health Awareness. He thanked all the honourable speakers and participants along with his planning team for successfully concluding the session. He also thanked US State Department, Global UGRAD and IREX for providing him with opportunity to carry out the project. He further said that without their support, it would not have been possible. Reinforcing the importance of mental health in youngsters, he looked forward to cooperation from the speakers in helping the students with their mental health issues and directing them to the concerning department.

End of Session on Day 2

The session was ended by Eshma thanking all the participants and speakers at around 4:00 PM. The session was attended by about 80 participants and followed by an interactive question/answer session. Eshma wished all the students with their future exams and a good mental health.

Certificate Distribution

About 85 participants received their certificates through email for recognizing their participation in the 2 days webinar. The team leader along with volunteer also received their certificates of appreciation and planning the session in person followed by a celebration ceremony. All the certificates were issued after the 2 days webinar completion with names of each individual written on it. 

Planning Team Closing Ceremony

After successful project completion, leader of the project Mr. Muhamamd Furqan Khattak invited the planning team members to a brief closing ceremony in a restaurant.  He appreciated the team work, commitment and professionalism of the team. Positive outcomes were discussed. Weaknesses in certain areas were also discussed for future learning and improvement. The planning team thanked Team Lead Muhammad Furqan, IREX, Global UGRAD and State Department for this opportunity. They also gave a brief speech on their experiences and each of them recounted their transformation and learning in this experience. After the refreshments, certificates were distributed among the planning team members and the project was officially closed.