STORIES WE LIVE BY
Echoes of Experience: Documenting "Stories We Live By"
Imagine a vast, silent library, its shelves empty of the vibrant, lived experiences of a tumultuous era. For two decades, the indigenous stories of the Pak-Afghan region, particularly during the shadow of the “War on Terror (WoT),” remained largely untold, their whispers lost in the winds of conflict. Recognizing this profound void, the Pak Afghan Youth Forum (PAYF) embarked on a vital quest: to introduce ‘Stories We Live By’. This initiative is a sacred act of documentation, a commitment to meticulously record the stories, experiences, happenings, challenges, and opportunities that individuals, practitioners, diplomats, tourists, academics, and many others have intimately lived through in this crucial region.
These sessions, a mosaic of personal accounts, serve as luminous windows, providing key insights into the various dynamics of Pak-Afghan relations. They are more than just narratives; they are living testaments, making immeasurable contributions to the existing body of knowledge on Pak-Afghan relations. By offering first-hand accounts about various issues in Pakistan and Afghanistan, ‘Stories We Live By’ is not just documenting history, but actively shaping a more nuanced and human understanding of a complex past.
1.Storytelling Session 4 | 11 Jan 2022
Topic: Pak-Afghan Intelligentsia and Youth Diplomacy - Setbacks, Existing Challenges & Future Prospects
Imagine a grand loom, its threads representing the intellectual prowess and youthful vigor of two nations, yet some vital strands lie unknotted, preventing the weaving of a complete tapestry. On January 11, 2022, a significant “Storytelling Session 4” unfolded, its topic delving into the intricate patterns of Pak-Afghan Intelligentsia and Youth Diplomacy, Setbacks, Existing Challenges & Future Prospects.
The esteemed narrator for this session was Dr. Rabia Akhtar, Director CSSPR, UOL, whose insights, like a skilled weaver examining tangled threads, illuminated the complex landscape. The focal point of her discourse was the crucial role of the Pak-Afghan intelligentsia. She keenly highlighted the existing lack of coordination and cooperation between the academics of both countries, a gap that, if left unattended, could hinder progress. Yet, Dr. Akhtar was not merely an observer of challenges; she was a visionary, proposing several practical remedies as a way forward to strengthen the cooperation between the intelligentsia of both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Her words offered a blueprint for re-tying these essential threads, promising a more robust and interconnected intellectual future.
2.Storytelling Session 5 | 13 Jan 2022
Topic: Afghanistan's Economic Landscape: Challenges & Responses
Narrator: Dr. Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, Afghanistan
Under the flickering gaslights of a Kabul evening, where the air hummed with unspoken anxieties, Dr. Abdul Latif, an emissary from the heart of the Islamic Emirate, took his place. His voice, a steady current against the tide of hardship, began to weave a narrative of Afghanistan’s economic woes.
The Shackles of Winter: A Nation’s Economic Chill
“Imagine, if you will,” Latif began, his gaze sweeping across the attentive faces, “a land rich in spirit, yet bound by an invisible winter. This economic chill, this pervasive misery that grips our nation, is not born of inherent scarcity. No, its icy tendrils reach back to the tumultuous winds of political change, a storm that has left us vulnerable and exposed.”
He spoke of a once-flowing river, now partially frozen, its life-giving waters held captive. This, he explained, was the direct consequence of “the heavy hand of US sanctions, a frost that has settled upon our economic arteries.” The “freezing of our assets,” he lamented, was akin to “locking away a farmer’s seeds just as the planting season begins, starving the very earth that promises sustenance.” The wealth that could fuel their recovery, he implied, lay dormant, inaccessible, a potential harvest locked away in distant vaults.
The Unseen Sculptors: Efforts to Reshape a Future
Yet, amidst this stark portrayal, a flicker of defiance burned. “But let it be known,” Latif declared, his voice gaining a resilient edge, “we are not idly observing this winter. We are, with every fiber of our being, sculpting the frozen earth, seeking ways to thaw the ice and plant the seeds of recovery. We are doing everything within our capacity, tirelessly working to untangle the knots of these economic problems.” He painted a picture of dedicated hands, striving against immense odds, to mend the fractured economic landscape, to find new pathways for commerce and growth.
A Beacon in the Haze: Pakistan’s Helping Hand
And then, a note of gratitude, a recognition of a steadfast neighbor. “In this challenging voyage,” he acknowledged, a warmth entering his tone, “Pakistan has stood as a beacon in the haze, a compassionate hand extended in our hour of need. Their role in mitigating Afghanistan’s economic crisis has been invaluable, a testament to true camaraderie.” He likened Pakistan’s assistance to “a warm fire in the depths of winter, offering solace and strength” to a struggling nation.
As Dr. Latif concluded, the air in the room, though still heavy with the weight of Afghanistan’s trials, was now infused with a sense of the ongoing struggle, the unwavering resolve, and the vital friendships that offered hope in a land yearning for springtime.
3.Storytelling Session 6: | 17 Jan 2022
Topic: Brotherhood History: Opportunities Between Pakistan & Afghanistan
Narrator: Mr. Syed Mohammad Ali, Director, CASS
4.Storytelling Session 7 | 14 April 2022
Topic: Pak-Afghan Relations & Islamic Ideology: Diplomacy, Existing Challenges & the Future Prospects
Narrator: Dr Qibla Ayaz, Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology
5. Storytelling Session 8 | 25 April 2022
Topic: Challenges & Responses in the Field Of Education: A Tale of Pak-Afghan Post-War Societies
Narrator: Ms Fajer Rabia Pasha, Director, PAGE Pakistan
6.Storytelling Session 10 | 13 May 2022
Topic: Afghanistan Then and Now: Challenges and Prospects of Successful International Diplomacy
Narrator: Ambassador (r) Abrar Hussain
7.Storytelling Session 12 | 30 May 2022
Topic: Public Diplomacy in the Era of Digital Media and Citizen Journalism
Narrator: Mr. Tahir Khan, Vlogger & Social Media Influencer
On May 30, 2022, Storytelling Session 12 opened a window into a rapidly evolving landscape. The topic, “Public Diplomacy in the Era of Digital Media and Citizen Journalism,” promised an exploration of how ancient arts of persuasion could thrive in a world wired for instant connection.
The Digital Agora
The guide through this modern terrain was Mr. Tahir Khan, a seasoned Vlogger and Social Media Influencer. His insights, like a skilled navigator charting new waters, revealed how public diplomacy could harness the potent currents of digital media. He underscored the profound significance of these platforms, not merely as tools but as vast canvases for narrative building, where collective stories could be painted with unprecedented reach.
Arming the Truth-Seekers
With a visionary call, Mr. Khan stressed the imperative to forge a new cadre of digital guardians. He urged the creation of programs to train youth for Citizen Journalism initiatives, equipping them with the keen senses needed to discern. A critical focus was placed on the vital mission of identifying, neutralizing, and mitigating the pervasive shadows of fake news, disinformation, and insidious propaganda, ensuring the digital realm could become a clearer, more trustworthy space.
