Islamabad
How do we want to live? Our office in Islamabad has been working for a peaceful and progressive Pakistan since 1986. Since then FNF Pakistan office has been seeking to answer this very question: How do we want to live? As individuals we are all entitled to personal dignity and freedom. It has been FNF`s mission to make these principles valid for all. We want people to realize the project of their lives! We promote a social and political environment where every individual can become the pilot of his/her lives!
News
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AI and Entrepreneurship
"As a former participant in the 2014 and 2015 Leadership Boot Camps and now a dedicated trainer for this year's program, it's been a journey of constant growth and commitment for me. This year's focus on AI-preneurship reflects our unwavering dedication to fostering leaders while integrating sustainability into our initiatives." Read what Khoso Saifullah has to say about the hybrid Leadership Boot Camp by our partner organization Individulland.
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Exploring Liberal Spaces
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Pakistan hosted its 21st Annual International Academy of Leadership (IAF) Alumni Network meetup in Lahore from November 10-12, 2023, themed "Exploring Liberal Spaces". The event featured diverse activities, including panel discussions, open space sessions, presentations, and opportunities for alumni to present their ideas for Alumni grants. It served as a platform for dynamic engagement, fostering dialogue and idea-sharing among attendees.
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Pakistan and EU : Trade Potential
The main objective of this report is to identify the bottlenecks hindering trade growth between Pakistan and the EU and propose reforms to enhance bilateral trade relations such that Pakistan can benefit more from the GSP+ scheme. The study undertakes a comparative analysis of trade patterns between the EU and 1)Bangladesh, 2)India and 3)Vietnam, which are major regional counterparts that are likely to influence the trading relationship between Pakistan & EU.
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Pakistan’s Challenges to Political Stability and Economic Revival
"Hopefully, the time has come when in the larger self-interest or in the face of a social meltdown a consensus will be reached at the highest level on a progressive agenda of tax reforms for implementation on a top priority basis." Dr. Hafeez A Pasha a Pakistani economist and former politician who has served as the Federal Minister for Finance unpacks how we can revive the economy and tackle the current challenges Pakistan is facing.
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Empowering Local Governments
From empowering local government to transparency in revenue generation, from continuity of policies to institutionalizing climate action into the third tier of government, Ms. Javaid covered the FNF and CPDI Consultative Session on Sindh Local Government Act 2023.
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How liberals can respond to current tensions?
From investigating the very concept of the Open Society from a philosophical perspective, to analyze them through the lens of political and societal aspects and concluding with identifying current geopolitical issues and how to respond to them and how to eradicate certain pluralist ideas from public discourse. Check out the guest commentary from Syed Wasif Naqvi as he shared his experience of the recent workshop at IAF Gummersbach on "Defending Open Societies"
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Pakistan's Parallel Foreign Exchange Market
The hundi/hawala network functions as an informal foreign exchange market through a network of hawala brokers located in various regions. These brokers offer more affordable and convenient services, primarily catering to the blue-collar Pakistani workforce, redirecting remittances away from official channels. Although this network poses regulatory challenges, exchange companies find it exceedingly challenging to sever their ties with the hawala network.
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Energy Transition and Food Security
Energy supplies and energy shortage have become a global issue since the Ukraine Russia war. However, for South Asia, energy supplies have been an issue even before the war. In December 2022 we invited Mr. Mujtaba Khan, CEO Reon Energy Pakistan, and Mr. Navam Niles, Research Consultant, Centre of Poverty Analysis, Sri Lanka, for an online web talk titled “Impact of the Ukraine-Russia War on Energy Transition and Food Security in Debt Ridden South Asian Nations“.
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Increasing Pakistan’s Exports
FNF Pakistan recently co-organized with the Foreign Services Academy, Islamabad a bespoke training on “International Trade Policy & Digital Economy” for the young and mid-career diplomats with Dr. Adil Nakhoda and Shehryar Hydri.
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The dignity of legislation
The recent absence of meaningful debate in the parliament of Pakistan dilutes the democratic authority as well as the demands it makes on other state actors and fellow citizens. Check out the analysis by Dr. Zia Ullah (Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan) on Rule of Law as the guiding principle of legislation and democracy.
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Battle of Narratives
" I realized that how we were being portrayed in media wasn’t doing justice to the cost of our involvement in the war." From war on terrorism to a skewed narrative on the impact on every day Pakistani, how media in Pakistan failed its role to bring both sides of the story to the front, read Remshay Ahmed analysis on Pakistani media.
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Using Social Media Responsibly
The only way to control the spread of fake news and harassment on social media is to inform its most vulnerable users of the consequences. The youth must be made aware of the power they hold in the form of freedom of expression and a click on social media. But the task is monumental and demands immediate attention.
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Why every vote counts?
While one vote may seem unimportant, every single vote holds weight and can shape the outcome. Moonus Kainat explains how our partner CPDI's voter awareness sessions with youth in universities is discussing accessibility issues to address low voter turnout.
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Pakistan’s Budget 2023-24: Economic Assessment and Critique
The economic crisis in Pakistan is deepening, showing no signs of an imminent recovery, let alone sustainable growth. The country is grappling with severe financial strain, characterized by minimal reserves, escalating public debt, record-breaking inflation, and a rapidly depreciating currency. Against the backdrop of this economic meltdown and upcoming elections the government presented the annual budget 2023-2024 on 9 June. Read the critique by Dr Aneel Salman
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Power battle at the cost of stability
Pakistan needs mature leadership, supported by the majority, which can bring the country forward. The media and people must support this effort. The alternative scenario is disastrous and will engulf even the most powerful. Read the argument for cooler heads, dialogue and elections to once again centre the citizenry and focus on things that matter like economy rather than fanning the conflict.
Social Media
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The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Pakistan hosted its 21st Annual FNF - International Academy for Leadership (IAF) Gummersbach Alumni Network reunion in Lahore from November 10-12, 2023, themed "Exploring Liberal Spaces". The weekend gathering featured diverse activities, including panel discussions, open space sessions, presentations, and opportunities for alumni to present their ideas for Alumni grants 2024. As always the Alumni reunion serves as a platform for dynamic engagement, fostering dialogue and idea-sharing among attendees. Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Asia Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit Check out the article below of how and what was discussed during the alumni reunion
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To all our partners, alumni, workshop/training participants, vendors, colleagues, friends : A very warm Season's Greetings! Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - Pakistan
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Economics, often considered the heartbeat of societal progression, offers insights into the distribution, production, and consumption of resources. "The CraftEcon School: Economics Redefined 2023" was a deep dive into this intricate domain, aiming to unravel its complexities and shed light on its contemporary relevance. Aneel Salman Khurram Ellahi and Khursheed Yusuf captivating the young economics students from Islamabad/ Rawalpindi discussing Economics philosophies and their applications in the practical world using various case studies. Congratulations on completing this Winter School!
