Balochistan gets first ever think tank
- January 18, 2017, 8:19 pm
- National News
- 314 Views
QUETTA Jan 17 Balochistan has finally own the first ever Think Tank in the province by the name of Balochistan Institute of Research and Development (BIRD).
The team who has initiated this institute include the renowned names from the province and those who have gained fame nationally and internationally.
The BIRD Chairperson and CEO is Ms. Javeria Tareen who before establishing the institute was working with one of the UN agency as their Communication Expert.
She had started her Career as a journalist and also worked as PRO Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS).
She has been associated with UNHCR Quetta office for pretty long time as Media Officer.
She is also one of the first woman who has received the most prestigious scholarship for mid career professionals Hubert H.Humphrey Fellowship 2013-14 and ICFJ fellowship in 2011. She started her career with radio Pakistan and later has worked with different media houses and institutes.
BIRD other members include the Ex Federal Minister Ms. Zubaida Jalal as Chief Advisor. Her services for this province and for the country are not hidden to anyone, coming from a very remote area of Balochistan, Mand. She has always promoted education not only for girls but for boys as well. During her tenure Balochistan received 4 universities which include SBK, BUITEMS, Khuzdar University and Turbat University. It was her government who initiated Higher Education Commission (HEC) which has changed the era of higher education in Pakistan.
A very senior Bureaucrat Mahfooz Ali Khan is leading a policy section in BIRD and Mubashir Mir a renowned journalist will head the Programme section.
BIRD advisory board also include Lt Gen ( R) Talat Masood , Naeem Bukhari ,Ambassador Masood khan who is now the current President of AJK, and Shafqat Mehmood.
BIRD Institute seeks to promote independent policy research and public advocacy in Balochistan that advance the causes of:
- Democratic institution building and strengthening state capacity for delivery on policy goals;
- National and human security discourse with an emphasis on regional peace;
- Entitlement to fundamental rights;
- Accountability of public bodies and government;
- Building public equity in a plural and inclusive national identity.
To meet these objectives, BIRD Institute engages with policy-makers, government, media, civil society, state institutions and academia. The Institute actively seeks to articulate independent national security strategies for Balochistan which incorporate the country’s strategic imperatives while providing room for constructive engagement with the international community, as well as policy and opinion makers.
By serving as a bridge between academia and policy-making, and focusing on capacity building for the state and other policy creating institutions, the Institute creates an enabling context and public space for ideas and resources to come together through mediums such as policy briefs, reports, lectures, seminars, roundtables and caucuses.
