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The Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR) is a nongovernmental, nonprofit and nonpartisan research, training and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting peace, development and reforms through dialogue and reconciliation.
Founded in 2010, the CDPR is registered with the Government under the Societies Act 1860 (Act XXI of 1860), having specified Memorandum of Association.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir Impact of COVID-19 on Marginalized Communities
by: Ershad Mahmud | Irtaza Muhammad | Aniqa Aziz Khan
Building Sustainable Tourism in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
This study is a pioneer work which offers insightful analysis of the diverse and multi-faceted yet largely under-developed Tourism industry in AJ&K. Starting with mapping of the rich cultural, religious, archeological and recreational potential of the State; the report examines the development and performance of the tourism sector in the region over the years.
It assists the readers in developing an understanding of AJ&K’s first-ever Tourism Policy Framework launched in 2019, highlighting its important aspects like standardization and regulations of tourism, public-private partnership, branding and diversification of tourist destinations, identification and preservation of heritage sites, Tourism Police and Tourism Regulatory Body. The ideas for destination development and the prospects of the proposed 190 km-long Tourism Corridor in AJK which will connect tourist sites in four districts including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bagh and Rawalakot, have also been discussed in the report.
The report also identifies some key challenges impeding the development of the tourism industry in AJ&K which primarily include the impacts of the tension on the LoC, the threatening situation created by the Corona pandemic as well as the resource constraints of the region. The main significance of the report lies in the fact that it concludes with some very important and insightful recommendations proposed by the author for the development of the tourism sector in AJ&K which if taken seriously and acted upon properly can prove to be highly beneficial for the progress of the region.
by: Dr. Shaheen Akhtar
The Local Government System in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Background, Evaluation and the Way Forward
This report is an insightful evaluation of the significance, development and challenges to the Local Government system in AJ&K. Tracing a brief history of the Local Bodies functioning, it brings to light the process of evolution, development and finally the devolution of the Local Bodies in AJ&K. It also highlights the consequences of the absence of these democratic structures in AJ&K since 1996 primarily in terms of the weakening of democratic institutions, growing frustration and the vulnerability of the youth to radicalization. The report finally elucidates the impact of the 13th Amendment in the 1974 Act of AJ&K on the LB system and its inherent connection with inclusive development in the region.
Following the Participatory Action Research Framework, the research has been conducted by involving around 500 young people who gave their valuable feedback to be included in this research study. Sorting out the issues and challenges to the restoration of the Local Bodies in AJ&K, the present study also examines the potential of the Local Bodies to affect the human lives at the grass roots level by scrutinizing the conclusions drawn through historic analysis as well as the opinions of the young people. Besides, it also recommends having 25 percent quota for young people in political parties and at least 10 percent for the women members in the Local Bodies. The findings of this research study validate that the Local Bodies can serve as the best platform to promote democratic culture and ensure service delivery to the public.
by: Dr. Waqas Ali
CPEC in Azad Jammu & Kashmir
A Gateway to Regional Connectivity & Beyond
“This report is the pioneer study on the subject, providing an in-depth analysis of different dimensions of the projects sanctioned for AJ&K under the ambit of CPEC. Starting with a brief introduction of the CPEC and its significance for the region, it makes a critique of socio-political and economic impact of the sanctioned projects i.e. Kohala Hydropower Project, Karot Hydropower Project, Construction of Special Economic Zone at Mir and M4 Express Way.
The report unveils that AJ&K would earn Rs.2.19 billion per annum alone after the construction of the Kohala Hydropower Project. Construction of SEZ at Mirpur, on the other hand, would provide a strong industrial base to AJ&K and help it become an exporter, rather than a mere consumer-oriented society. To complement this, the M4 will interconnect different parts of AJ&K, besides shortening the existing route between central Punjab and CPEC by at least 50 km. The report also provides a set of recommendations to the government of AJ&K to initiate an open and knowledge-based discussion on the need, benefits and implications, if any, of these projects and a plan to address them in a time-bound manner.
Sabur Ali Sayyid, the author of the report, has employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to bring out this study, which is futuristic, but fully backed by well-documented research and cold logic”.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/537928-cpec-projects-in-azad-kashmir-turn-murky
https://www.dailyparliamenttimes.com/2019/10/07/three-out-of-four-cpec-projects-in-ajk-remain-in-doldrums/
Tales of Separation and Reunion
People of Jammu and Kashmir divided by conflict, united by amity
This report revolves around stories of broken human relationships, dejected mothers, grieved children, elders seeking for a final refuge in their ancestral graveyards and incidents of violence that mark the history of Kashmir conflict.
The report focuses on capturing the sufferings of divided families separated by the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. The stories, a total of ten, expand over Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and refugees form JK living in Pakistan.
Follow the link to read the complete account of the stories of divided families trapped in conflict.
by: Qaiser Khan
Information Sheet about Cross - LoC Trade from Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Prepared by:
Dr. Waqas Ali | Jalaluddin Mughal | Aniqa Aziz Khan
Bridging divides: towards effective disaster preparedness and response in Kashmir
This briefing paper, produced by the Kashmir Initiative Group (KIG), presents practical ideas to improve disaster preparedness and response in Kashmir
by: Shafat Ahmad
An Appraisal of Constitutional, Financial and Administrative Arrangements between the Governments of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Cross-Line of Control Trade - Peacebuilding and economic potential
by: Dipanker Sengupta, Ershad Mahmud and Zafar Iqbal Choudhary
with support from Conciliation Resources
Peacebuilding and Economic Potential of Cross-LoC Trade
PERCEPTION SURVEY
Report on First-ever Opinion Poll With Cross-LoC Traders
on both sides of divide in Jammu and Kashmir
The Impact of Conflict on Young People in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
by: Waqas Ali
Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR)
Supported by Conciliation Resources, UK
The Impact of Conflict on Young People in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (URDU)
by: Waqas Ali
Centre for Peace, Development and Reforms (CPDR)
Supported by Conciliation Resources, UK
An Appraisal of Constitutional, Financial and Administrative Arrangements between the Governments of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (URDU)
Institutionalising Confidence Building Measures on Kashmir
by: Shaheen Akhtar and Zafar Choudhary
Unheard Voices: Engaging Youth of Gilgit-Baltistan
by: Syed Waqas Ali and Taqi Akhunzada
January 2015
The Gilgit-Baltistan Reforms Package 2007: Background, Phases and Analysis
by: Ershad Mahmud
published in Policy Perspective (research Journal)
July-December 2007
Pak-India Peace Process: An Appraisal
by: Ershad Mahmud
published in Policy Perspective
(research Journal)
July-December 2007
Status of AJK in Political Milieu
by: Ershad Mahmud
published in Policy Perspective
(research Journal)
July-December 2006
Kashmiri Refugees: Facts, Issues and the future Ahead
by: Khalid Rahman and Ershad Mahmud
published in Policy Perspective
(research Journal)
January 2006
Post-cold War: US Kashmir Policy
by: Ershad Mahmud
published in Policy Perspective
(research Journal )
April 2005