Program: Awaz-e-Dosti Title: “Self- Reliance is the only Road to True Freedom"
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Description
Our host Bilal Danish conducted the program on the platform of Awaz-e-Dosti and his first story is about Haripur’s boat business which is on the verge of extinction. The reason being d the reduction level in water of Tarbela lake. People prefer to walk now because of low water level therefore it is difficult for host community to sustain their boat business. This melancholy situation about water levels are effecting Afghan refugees too. Afghan need fuel wood as their camps lack gas facility and to attain it they need a boat ride. Unfortunately, boat drivers are now charging hefty amounts to cover their expenses that these refugees simply cannot afford, this dilemma regarding fuel wood is getting serious than ever. This Story will show the repercussions of low water levels on both host and Afghan community. The second story is about Hameedullah a cloth shop owner, his story is dazzling emblem of hard work and determination. He started his business with PKR 1 lakh  but with his relentless efforts currently his business is worth of PKR 60 lakh. He mentioned that he could have gone to Europe with PKR 1 lakh but it's much better to be an entrepreneur than to be an illegal immigrant or worst a victim of human trafficking. His story illustrates that miserable situations and limited resources are mere hurdles. Hameedullah emerged as a winner because of his resilience, strong will and decision making power. The third story is about another unsung warrior of afghan refugee Habibullah, he opened a mobile shop within the vicinity of camp. Afghan refugees are deprived from the basic necessities of life but they manage to find happiness in smaller things, the availability USBs, mobile cable wire and data wires is like a breath of fresh air for them. They do not have to go to Swabi's market to get a simple gadget as headphones. In comparison to the high-tech world on the other side of the camp it may not be much but for afghan refugees it is what connecting them to the outside world. Habibullah identified the need and gap in his own market and decided that he should rectify the situation. He also agreed with his fellow refugee Hameedullah. He thinks that it's better to work here where the language and life is similar to their home country instead of fleeing to Europe. Due to his amazing business sense he has  build up a sustainable setup with supplying partners from Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Swat. Finally in the last part of program, Ms. Gullmina was invited as a worthy guest. She is a head of Individual Land and has done great deal of research on Afghans. She discussed the inclusion for financial sustainability she further discussed and role of women within the Afghan community, further on she mentioned their problems too such as female health and their financial dependence. She mentioned that institutes and NGOs should come up with the solution to these problems for example providing them with trainings so that women may be enable to earn their livelihoods. Afghan female financial remained pivotal point of discussion and Bilal closed the program with the parting note that institutes should actively try to intervene and come up with alternatives so that Afghan women can also thrive.