Media Dimensions Swat was mandated by INTERNEWS Pakistan to conduct impact assessment of radio program “SABAOON” (LARA DA KOR PROJECT) produced by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) Islamabad. The radio program basically consists of issue based reporting covering various aspects of rehabilitation in the aftermath of Swat crises. Following the ToRs and Memorandum of Understanding for the impact assessment, Media Dimensions had to arrange 25 listening groups across the valley giving representation to various social classes and communities and get feedback on open ended questionnaire as well as in the form of Audio. The organization was further entrusted the responsibility to present group wise report on a pre-designed reporting format. Broadcast and dissemination officer of INTERNEWS was looking after the whole exercise and completed the activity under close collaboration and coordination. Further details of the assessment are summarized as under: 

 

Methodology: During the sample design phase, representation was given to male female (64:36), Urban rural (32:68) and educated and uneducated (48:52). Various community groups were given representation including farmers, shopkeepers, drivers, house wives in the uneducated class of local society and teachers, students, lawyers, social workers, business community, health workers etc in the educated class. Thus, feedback of two hundred and forty (240) participants was obtained in 25 groups. Seven coordinators including female were selected on the basis of similar previous background and trained in a day long (two sessions) orientation program held on 6^th February, 2010. The orientation was focused on basic research concepts including focus group discussion and implementation of the questionnaire designed for the purpose specifically. A demo listening group activity was also arranged inside the office of Media Dimensions Swat to have a practical work experience before going to the field.

Following the sample, 25 groups were arranged in the stipulated time frame (7^th February, 2010 to 24^th February, 2010, 16 days) as per mandate given to the organization. Each group has membership ranging 8 to 12 participants. After presentation of 25 minutes long Sabaoon program in each group, the views of each participant were recorded in the writing as well as in the voice form. Separate program was played in each group keeping in view the general relevance on the basis of content value judgment approach. Comments/views of each individual participant obtained through questionnaire were analyzed and reported in the questionnaire based theme of the reporting format for each group, similarly audio feedback of each individual participant was further analyzed and reported in the voice feedback portion of the reporting format avoiding repetition and overlapping. Specific group related materials and information including coordinators observations, success/failures and ideas obtained during the sessions may be seen in group wise reports annexed.

 

Findings: All the 25 groups found the program ‘Sabaoon’ comprehensive and understandable. Only one group of Bahrain female (uneducated Code:19-140210) indicated little difficulty in understanding the program as they were Kohistani speakers and Pushto was not their first language. All the information presented in each program was found useful and closely relevant to the daily life of participants. All the groups found nothing worth mentioning against their social values and liked the programs in all respect. The male groups were mostly found interested in listening radio at night (7.00 PM to 10.00 PM). They indicated early morning timing as their second choice. Female participants find afternoon timings more convenient for listening radio and late night timing as their second choice. Male groups of urban areas were found familiar with ‘Sabaoon’ and ‘Lar Da Kor’ programs while in rural areas, only two participants (Miandam male educated Code: 15-140210) indicated familiarity and the rest became familiar with the program for the first time through the listening group activity. The programs were found different from other radio presentations on the basis of giving coverage to the issues of local community. Some participants found it different on the basis of its presentation in the listening groups. Visits of coordinators to different localities were found interesting, welcomed and encouraged. The overall population of the study talked about their local problems and grievances and requested for extensive village-based coverage. The groups unanimously appreciated overall format and approach of the programs. However they suggested the following steps for further improvements:

 

·         Female folk of society is unable to share their problems with male reporters. Female reporters may be encouraged.

·         It would be great if negative local traditions like dowry and reluctance to female education are covered.

·         Root causes of militancy should be thoroughly highlighted and resolved.

·         Voice over was also recommended on Urdu portion of the reports for illiterate communities.

·         Live call session will give an opportunity to audience to participate in the programs and share their issues.

·         Village-based reporting should be encouraged to get specific issues to the front.

·         Practical steps are needed to compel concerned authorities to comply with and take necessary actions.

·         The approach and format may be adopted for Television production as well.

·         The program should continue and not be stopped on any reason.

·         Listening group activity should be carried out on regular basis in the areas where radio signals are not working.

·         Local reporters should be hired who have access to the local communities directly.

·         Repetition of reports in various programs should be avoided and efforts be made for new stuff of reporting.

·         Research based reporting can add to the over all quality of the program.

·         Imam, madrasa students and religious scholars should be involved to have a balanced view.

·         Extensive coverage is required to the views/steps being undertaken by the government authorities in response to problems and damages in the area.

·         Use of English words in reporting should be avoided to make the program more understandable for uneducated communities.  

 

 

 

Conflict Background: Administratively, Swat forms part of the Malakand Division comprising Swat, Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Shangla and Buner districts and Malakand agency in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), recently renamed as Pakhtoon Khwa, with a population of over 1.25 million according to the 1998 census, and geographic area over 10,000 square kilometres. It comes under the Provincially-Administered Tribal Areas (PATA). The population depends largely on agriculture and tourism as major contributor to the local economy till it was devastated by conflict in recent years.

 

Large-scale, coordinated militancy in Swat is although, a recent happening that gained national and international attention during last few years. However, its history goes beyond the recent violence and can be traced in the regional politics since the Cold War, portrayed long historical practices in the region. It was November 4, 2007 when the Government of Pakistan deployed regular army in Swat and started operation in the area initially under the banner ‘Rahe Haq’ (Put someone on the right way). Some politicians of the main political stream were of the opinion to set consensus and national harmony before a full fledge military operation. It took the coalition government and militants to three rounds of talks spread over 13 days to reach a peace accord for Swat which could not work and collapsed before its implementation. A full-fledged operation was started and the deteriorating situation compelled the locals to flee down wards to the plain areas in the first week of May, 2009. Almost three million people vacated the area which is considered a huge migration in the history of Pakistan after 1947. The army launched a severe operation in the next three months and allowed the locals to come back from 17^th July 2009.

 

The over all damages worked out by Provincial Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority (PaRRSA), 150 schools have been completely destroyed during militancy, while 343 schools are partially damaged. The partially damaged schools are being repaired by Pak Army with the help of Provincial Government and so far 420 Million PKR has been spent to repair partially damaged schools. Fully damaged schools require reconstruction which is still awaited. Twenty three thousands houses have been fully or partially damaged during military operation in Bajawar Agency, Mohmand Agency and Malakand Division. The owners of fully damaged houses will have 0.4 Million PKR (4 Lacks) and partially damaged will have 0.16 Million PKR (1 Lack and 60 Thousands) for compensation. This sort of rehabilitation is afoot. The Provincial Government will have to complete other various projects including electricity, agriculture, health facilities, roads, live stocks, water supply and Sanitation which is not started yet.

 

Methodology: During the sample design phase, ten villages were selected on the basis of damages, sufferings and over all reputation in national media during the crises. Total five persons were contacted in each village individually including two female, constituting the total size of population up to fifty.  Fifteen participants out of fifty belonged to urban areas and 35 to rural areas. It was further ensured to get opinion of various community groups including farmers, housewives, working women, teachers, lawyers, social workers, business community, health professionals and local political representatives. A group of four investigators, including two female, was selected on the basis of similar previous background, trained in a day long orientation program and equipped with relevant techniques to get authentic and reliable information. The orientation was focused on basic research concepts and implementation of the questionnaire designed for the survey. Investigators were sub divided in two groups (male & female) who visited a village per day and collected information from ten villages in five days as per plan. Investigators were further advised to record answers of each respondent in audio form as well.

At the analysis phase, each answer to nine probes questionnaire was analyzed and opinion derived on the basis of respondents’ consensus. Question wise details of responses are summarized as under:

All the respondents are unanimously agreed that peace is the pre-requisite for the development of the area and prosperity of the people, which has been restored now with the help of almighty Allah. The area has been purged of anti Pakistan elements with effective strategies and cooperation of the locals. The respondents further indicated the sacrifices rendered by security forces and locals. The situation is gradually moving towards normalcy. But reconstruction and rehabilitation process is too slow. Few relief organizations are still working on data collection. Fifteen respondents (out of 50) expressed their concerns on political interference in the relief process even by NGOs. They were of the view that transparency and entitlement is lacking in the relief process.   

Respondents mostly expressed their concerns and dissatisfaction on the role of Government besides recognizing difficulties in the way forward. The Government still has to pay due attention to minimize sufferings and resolve long standing issues on the basis of merit-based policies. Humanitarian support by various NGOs is viewed significant in the existing scenario but still, the process needs to be made transparent and depoliticized. Confidence building approach can glorify the role of politicians which is still awaited on the part of Political Government. Referring to some of the in-capabilities, a lady teacher expects “removal of debris at least” lying in front of destroyed girls school, presently working in tents. A respondent belonging to Hindu minority expressed his full satisfaction on the Government role in the present situation.        

The summary of 45 responses indicates that they are fully satisfied with the vital role played by peace keeping agencies. They further recognized their sacrifices and acknowledged their capabilities and professional skills in peace keeping process. They also referred to the significant role being played in the process of rehabilitation by Pak Army and commended the cooperation of local people that made peace possible in the conflict areas. They further identified some glimpses of efficiency and competence in public sector organizations including health and education. Three respondents expressed their concerns about the stability of peace after return of security forces and emphasized strengthening civil administration to cope with the situation. They also desired scientific and flexible investigative approaches to reach the conclusions. Two respondents did not answer the question at all.

All of the responses indicate that Islam does not permit extremism. It teaches us about moderation and justice in every walk of life. They ended their days, borne the brunt of their actions and we have to keep the main causes in focus to avoid the situation in future. Lack of education, unemployment, poverty, corruption, non participatory political order, injustice and lack of awareness contributed towards the problem. The situation needs rectification by strengthening public institutions and proper social services delivery. Two respondents are of the view that some practical measures are needed to make the people aware of the extremist propaganda as they defame the real picture of our sacred faith. Three respondents did not answer the question.

   

The common opinion derived from the available data indicates that relief is not the real answer to the sufferings of a common man. Economic growth usually slows down with unannounced curfews and searching at the check points. Stable law and order situation will boost up economic activity to some extent automatically. Various suggestions given by the respondents include: interest free loans in easy installments, merit-based employment in the government sector and establishment of industries especially silk mills which has a long history in the region. They further added revival of tourism, hotel management and strengthening of local handicrafts where women contribution is the essence of over all business activity. Construction of dames and water management are the areas that can help the farmers and tenants to improve their earnings. Fruit preservation plants, enhancement of fruit storage capabilities and improvement in the forest sector can also make the people economically strong.       

 

Respondents belonging to Swat and other sample areas mentioned that some families who lost their residential houses are unable to come back. The cash announced for construction of home is insufficient and shelters scheme for the homeless does not match the traditional living requirements. They were of the view that the families may be compensated sufficiently to reconstruct their houses. Respondents presently settled in camps emphasized on rehabilitation before sending them to their respective areas in Bajawar. They demanded reconstruction of their homes and other infrastructure including schools and hospitals. They urged sufficient financial support at the initial stage for restoration of their livelihoods and economic reinstatement. They also demanded transportation for their return.   

The most frequent and common response to the question indicates that uniformity in quality education is the real answer to the situation. Various systems of education prevailing in the country lead the people towards split opinion and controversies. It further divides the nation into classes and groups. Social awareness and inculcating the sense of citizenship through various means of communications is also one of the long term strategic responses to solve the problem. Talking about the immediate measures, they are already neutralized and isolated from the rest of community through a fatal blow by the security forces. Now practical steps are needed to stop their re-surfacing in future. Two responses suggest that family members of the accused should not be harshly investigated and agonized. Negotiation and dialogue is considered a fruitful solution in this regard. Religious leaders have to play their role by communicating real picture of Islam.  

  

Respondents are unanimously recognizing the role of women as true architects of future. Their role has become increasingly complex and demanding in a modern society. A variety of competencies and skills are required to carry out responsibilities of an enlightened mother and house- wife which is not possible without meaningful education. They are of the view that the role of women is limited and home bound due to certain reasons. In the pre conflict situation, learning opportunities were inadequate and even 80% less than boys. Now the situation is worst as female education infrastructure received serious damages during the crises. A lot of work is needed to convince culturally reluctant parents to send their daughters to schools. Women should be empowered through education to play their role effectively. Eight respondents admitted that women are distressed in less educated and illiterate families. They also pointed out cultural barriers in this regards. Education and awareness is considered important for women to play a vital role in the community. Seven respondents further emphasized that economic opportunities in terms of technical skills can improve their life standards. Two participants were of the view that radio can play a vital role to educate the female folk of society.

All the respondents expressed their serious concerns about the health conditions in the area. Health professionals clearly indicated that hundreds of thousands of people are vulnerable and living in a high risk environment and even wounded patient are not treated in the tehsil headquarter hospital of Khwaza khela. We have only “first aid facility and nothing else”. There is no children specialist in the hospital. They further said that hepatitis B and C cases are increasing in the area. Talking about education, some of them indicated that alternate arrangements should be made for security forces to stay in and school buildings may be evacuated. They further added that provision of tents to schools is a temporary arrangement. Reconstruction is still awaited. They urged on speedy process of school constructions. The area is agricultural based and farmers suffered seriously during the crises. They may be compensated in form of pesticides and seeds. Majority of the respondents expressed their satisfaction on the security situation.