Research Work
As part of MA in Media Studies, I have written dissertation on the topic “How the media represent socio-cultural risks: a comparative discourse analysis of media texts about a religious minority (Ahmadis) and the majority in Pakistan”. It is a comparative study of different media outlets (the BBC, Dawn, Nawa-I-Waqt). It shows the media work under socio-cultural taboo systems.
At the end of first semester at the Roskilde University Centre (RUC) I as a part of group-work wrote a critical research report on the topic “Re-Imaging the Past: An analysis of how Federal Government of the United States has been able to affect what films are made and what types of images they perpetuate through Hollywood.” Available at http://dspace.ruc.dk/items-by-author?author=khoso%2C+abdullah.
During my career at Pakistan Institute of Labour Education of Pakistan (PILER), I wrote an analytical report based on fieldwork on the topic “Impact Analysis of Intervention for the Release and Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour in Pakistan.” The fieldwork was conducted in Sindh province of Pakistan. One of the results of the study was, all rehabilitation and release interventions are without long term planning and proper look after which result in the going back of ex-bonded labourer into the same vicious circle of debt bondage.
The second research activity at PILER was preparation of an investigative report based on fieldwork on the topic “Working Conditions of Fishermen in Pakistan.” I had conducted interviews, then piled up data in the report and submitted with the respective organization. Research shows majority of the fishermen work in informal setup and have no provision of social security benefits. These workers are marginalized in their industry.
During my stay with National Rural Support Programme, Pakistan, the major work I did was Market Research for the ILO-NRSP project in Hyderabad Sindh, “Prevention of Family Indebtedness with Micro-finance and other Related Service.” Formulated research design, conducted fieldwork, wrote report and submitted with the NRSP. Since, ex-bonded labourers in the camps (in the Hyderabad city of Sindh) do not have formal skills; therefore, survey was conducted to assess the more profit giving activities in the market, which do not involve much investment and skills.
In the fourth semester at the Quaid-I-Azam University (QAU), I conducted anthropological field research and in fifth semester wrote thesis as a compulsory part of M.A on the topic “Survival Strategies of a Fisherman Community of Manchhar Lake in Sindh.” It was an ethnographic study. It figured out various socio-economic strategies by the fishermen in dying ecology of the lake. The Manchhar Lake has lost its natural beauty because of continuous flow of saline-water from upper part of the country, which has resulted severe problems for the fishermen who have been living on the lake water for centuries.
Friday, August 15, 2008
My CV
Abdullah Khoso
D-4 Custom Officers’ Flat, Kiamari, Karachi
DoB: 01-02-1979, Email: abdullahkhoso@hotmail.com, Phone: 0092 3002964317
Experience
1- In the last March 2008, I started working with Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF: www.pff.org.pk) as a communication officer. Employer Contact Number 0092 21 5090543
Sachall Hall, Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim Twon, Karachi, Pakistan
As a communication officer I am responsible for publishing monthly English Fisherfolk Newsletter; preparing press releases on daily bases; updating the website; writing journalistic reports/articles in the leading newspapers, magazines on the fisherfolk issues and PFF’s struggle; preparation of annual reports and reports on the events including seminars, conferences, workshops, hunger strikes; preparing concept notes on different fisherfolk issues for financial help; conducting qualitative and quantitative research on different fisherfolk issues for supporting PFF’s advocacy campaigns; editing the write ups/reports prepared by the different programs officers at PFF; preparing fortnightly online News Bulletin and sharing it with partners, donors and civil society organizations within the country and abroad.
2- As a research associate I worked with Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) Karachi from Nov-2003 to Sep-2005.
I worked mainly for two projects: “Empowering the Vulnerable Workers in Pakistan” as they can play a role in making their society just; “Impact Analysis of Intervention for the Release and Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour in Pakistan”.
My main responsibilities were to collect qualitative and quantitative data, and then to compile, analyse and present it in the form of reports, and share these reports with workers, activists, and journalists at different forums (seminars, workshops). Out of these reports, I used to produce briefings and issued press releases.
I played a major role in bridging a gap between labour organizations and other civil society groups in Pakistan. Within the programmes, I ensured constructive communication and positive working environment. I represented human and labour rights issues at all levels in association with the donor organizations and civil society organizations. I worked as a team member of the management to deliver outstanding results.
3-Researcher (intern) from April-2003 to November 2003 with National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Islamabad, Pakistan. I was engaged in to collect qualitative and quantitative data from all Regions/Fields Units/Projects; carry out Situation Analysis; help in preparation of NRSP’s Monthly Programme Updates.
4- Interviewer with Population Association of Pakistan (PAP), Islamabad, Pakistan, from January-2003 to April-2003. I was responsible to conduct in-depth unstructured interviews, insert data into matrix sheets and after compiling it submit with the organization.
5- Research Anthropologist with the Department of Anthropology, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad from November-2002 to January -2003. I was involved in the forming of male interview guideline, data collection in the field through in-depth unstructured interviews, analysis and report writing.
6- News Monitor’ and ‘Translator in English Language (Part Time) with SAHIL (An NGO working against Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistani Society), Islamabad, Pakistan. From November-2001 to June-2003. I was assigned to monitor and analyse the news appearing in the regional and national media relating to child sexual abuse in the Province of Sindh.
Volunteer Work
7- Volunteer (Customer Service Assistant) with Oxfam GB shop in Enfield town, UK, from
November 2007 to 20th March 2008.
My purpose was to assist the shop manager to achieve Division’s mission which is “to make as much as money as possible to overcome poverty and suffering” around the world.
Contact person: Sally Gordon +44 (0)2083677728
Education
Degree European Master of Arts in Media, Communication and Cultural Studies
Institute Roskilde University Centre (RUC) Denmark and Institute of Education (IOE)
University of London
Session September 2005 – June 2007
Majors Ideology, Identity and the Media; Film Theory and Documentary; Film theory
and Educational Practice; Communication Theories and Methods;
Globalization, Development and Communication.
Dissertation “How media represent socio-cultural risk: a discourse analysis of the media text
about a religious minority (Ahmadis) and majority (Sunni) in Pakistan”
Term papers *What is Postmodernism and Why is it Important in Cultural and Media Studies
*How Different Theories of Film Distribute Power Differently Between Text and
Spectator?
*Critical Evaluation of the Ideological Dimensions in Representing History in The
Rising: The Ballad of Mangal Pandey 2005
Degree MA in Anthropology
Institute Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Session January 2000 – June 2002
Majors Research Methodology; Introduction of Anthropology; Anthropology of
Economics; Political Anthropology; Anthropology of Religion, Anthropology of
South Asia
Dissertation “Survival Strategies of Fishermen of Shah Hassan of Manchhar Lake Sindh”. An
ethnographic study from an ecological perspective.
Degree B.A. in Economics
Institute Sindh University Jamshoro, Pakistan
Session January 1997 – December 1999
Majors: Macro and Micro Economics, Political Economics, Statistics
Skills
MS office applications (MS Word, Power Point),
Data Collection
Report Writing/analysing
Managerial/Organizational (events like seminars, workshops)
Languages: English, Sindhi, Urdu
Articles Published in the newspapers
1-Pollution through aquaculture (http://www.dawn.com/2008/07/16/letted.htm)
2-A crisis in making, http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2008-weekly/nos-20-07-2008/pol1.htm#5
3-Seeking Justice, 7 July 2008 (http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2008-weekly/nos-06-07-2008/pol1.htm#3)
4-Danish Tragedy, 29 January 2006
5-Laws in Infancy, 31 July 2005
6-Young, Eager Hands, 21 January 2004
7-Safety Nets for Fishermen, 28 November 2004
8-Too Young to Die, 18 July 04
9-Crime: A Cerebral Lust, 13-June 04
10-Informal Economy & Decent Work, 02 May 04
11-Giving Credit Where Its Not Due, 4 April 04
References
Mr. Kim Christian Schrøder, Professor, the Department of Communication, Roskilde DenmarkEmail: kimsc@ruc.dk, Phone : (+45) 46 74 38 08
Mr. Robert Ferguson,
Professor, the School of Culture, Language and Communication, Institute of Education, University of London. Email: r.ferguson@ioe.ac.uk, Phone: +44 (0)20 7612 6512
Mr. Zulfiqar Shah, Joint Director, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education & Research (PILER). Email zulfiqarshah@yahoo.com, Phone +92320 20 29 64 5
D-4 Custom Officers’ Flat, Kiamari, Karachi
DoB: 01-02-1979, Email: abdullahkhoso@hotmail.com, Phone: 0092 3002964317
Experience
1- In the last March 2008, I started working with Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF: www.pff.org.pk) as a communication officer. Employer Contact Number 0092 21 5090543
Sachall Hall, Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim Twon, Karachi, Pakistan
As a communication officer I am responsible for publishing monthly English Fisherfolk Newsletter; preparing press releases on daily bases; updating the website; writing journalistic reports/articles in the leading newspapers, magazines on the fisherfolk issues and PFF’s struggle; preparation of annual reports and reports on the events including seminars, conferences, workshops, hunger strikes; preparing concept notes on different fisherfolk issues for financial help; conducting qualitative and quantitative research on different fisherfolk issues for supporting PFF’s advocacy campaigns; editing the write ups/reports prepared by the different programs officers at PFF; preparing fortnightly online News Bulletin and sharing it with partners, donors and civil society organizations within the country and abroad.
2- As a research associate I worked with Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) Karachi from Nov-2003 to Sep-2005.
I worked mainly for two projects: “Empowering the Vulnerable Workers in Pakistan” as they can play a role in making their society just; “Impact Analysis of Intervention for the Release and Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour in Pakistan”.
My main responsibilities were to collect qualitative and quantitative data, and then to compile, analyse and present it in the form of reports, and share these reports with workers, activists, and journalists at different forums (seminars, workshops). Out of these reports, I used to produce briefings and issued press releases.
I played a major role in bridging a gap between labour organizations and other civil society groups in Pakistan. Within the programmes, I ensured constructive communication and positive working environment. I represented human and labour rights issues at all levels in association with the donor organizations and civil society organizations. I worked as a team member of the management to deliver outstanding results.
3-Researcher (intern) from April-2003 to November 2003 with National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), Islamabad, Pakistan. I was engaged in to collect qualitative and quantitative data from all Regions/Fields Units/Projects; carry out Situation Analysis; help in preparation of NRSP’s Monthly Programme Updates.
4- Interviewer with Population Association of Pakistan (PAP), Islamabad, Pakistan, from January-2003 to April-2003. I was responsible to conduct in-depth unstructured interviews, insert data into matrix sheets and after compiling it submit with the organization.
5- Research Anthropologist with the Department of Anthropology, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad from November-2002 to January -2003. I was involved in the forming of male interview guideline, data collection in the field through in-depth unstructured interviews, analysis and report writing.
6- News Monitor’ and ‘Translator in English Language (Part Time) with SAHIL (An NGO working against Child Sexual Abuse in Pakistani Society), Islamabad, Pakistan. From November-2001 to June-2003. I was assigned to monitor and analyse the news appearing in the regional and national media relating to child sexual abuse in the Province of Sindh.
Volunteer Work
7- Volunteer (Customer Service Assistant) with Oxfam GB shop in Enfield town, UK, from
November 2007 to 20th March 2008.
My purpose was to assist the shop manager to achieve Division’s mission which is “to make as much as money as possible to overcome poverty and suffering” around the world.
Contact person: Sally Gordon +44 (0)2083677728
Education
Degree European Master of Arts in Media, Communication and Cultural Studies
Institute Roskilde University Centre (RUC) Denmark and Institute of Education (IOE)
University of London
Session September 2005 – June 2007
Majors Ideology, Identity and the Media; Film Theory and Documentary; Film theory
and Educational Practice; Communication Theories and Methods;
Globalization, Development and Communication.
Dissertation “How media represent socio-cultural risk: a discourse analysis of the media text
about a religious minority (Ahmadis) and majority (Sunni) in Pakistan”
Term papers *What is Postmodernism and Why is it Important in Cultural and Media Studies
*How Different Theories of Film Distribute Power Differently Between Text and
Spectator?
*Critical Evaluation of the Ideological Dimensions in Representing History in The
Rising: The Ballad of Mangal Pandey 2005
Degree MA in Anthropology
Institute Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Session January 2000 – June 2002
Majors Research Methodology; Introduction of Anthropology; Anthropology of
Economics; Political Anthropology; Anthropology of Religion, Anthropology of
South Asia
Dissertation “Survival Strategies of Fishermen of Shah Hassan of Manchhar Lake Sindh”. An
ethnographic study from an ecological perspective.
Degree B.A. in Economics
Institute Sindh University Jamshoro, Pakistan
Session January 1997 – December 1999
Majors: Macro and Micro Economics, Political Economics, Statistics
Skills
MS office applications (MS Word, Power Point),
Data Collection
Report Writing/analysing
Managerial/Organizational (events like seminars, workshops)
Languages: English, Sindhi, Urdu
Articles Published in the newspapers
1-Pollution through aquaculture (http://www.dawn.com/2008/07/16/letted.htm)
2-A crisis in making, http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2008-weekly/nos-20-07-2008/pol1.htm#5
3-Seeking Justice, 7 July 2008 (http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2008-weekly/nos-06-07-2008/pol1.htm#3)
4-Danish Tragedy, 29 January 2006
5-Laws in Infancy, 31 July 2005
6-Young, Eager Hands, 21 January 2004
7-Safety Nets for Fishermen, 28 November 2004
8-Too Young to Die, 18 July 04
9-Crime: A Cerebral Lust, 13-June 04
10-Informal Economy & Decent Work, 02 May 04
11-Giving Credit Where Its Not Due, 4 April 04
References
Mr. Kim Christian Schrøder, Professor, the Department of Communication, Roskilde DenmarkEmail: kimsc@ruc.dk, Phone : (+45) 46 74 38 08
Mr. Robert Ferguson,
Professor, the School of Culture, Language and Communication, Institute of Education, University of London. Email: r.ferguson@ioe.ac.uk, Phone: +44 (0)20 7612 6512
Mr. Zulfiqar Shah, Joint Director, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education & Research (PILER). Email zulfiqarshah@yahoo.com, Phone +92320 20 29 64 5
Clandestine’ deforestation drive putting mangroves at even greater risk
A clandestine plan to clear out mangroves has been discovered by a visiting team of environmentalists. It is alleged that, once cleared out, the land near Ibrahim Hyderi and Gizri will be put to commercial use.
The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) have hurled allegations at the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) officials, saying that the area comes under the jurisdiction of the DHA.
A large number of people have been hired by the agents of the influential timber mafia to cut the endangered mangroves from inside the forests and they have destroyed wide expanses of mangroves from the inside of the forest, alleged a PFF spokesman while talking to The News. However, he said, this clever eradication of flora is not obvious from the outside.
The Sindh forest department had deployed officials near Rehri, a fishermen locality, to keep strict vigil over the move, but the officials have allegedly joined hands with the mafia to wipe out the mangroves.
When contacted, the local forest department officials claimed that they were there to impose fines against those caught red-handed. However, the situation observed by the visiting team reveals that influential officials, local sea lords and certain government bodies have initiated a joint move to clean the forest area, leaving millions of the city’s inhabitants vulnerable to natural calamities.
“When we entered the mangroves forest on boat we saw the horrible sight of trees being chopped down. People who introduced themselves to us as labourers on daily wages were axing live trees openly without any fear,” said Abdullah Khoso, who is conducting a study on mangroves and keeping an eye over the destruction of thick forests.
“It needs proper attention nobody can calculate how much area these people have already cleared. Each labourer is being paid Rs200 daily wages for the work,” added Khoso.
The concerned traders take the wood cutters to the forests on boat in the morning and pick them up in the evening. Timber is being transported by boats to the seashore where trucks and tractor trolleys are loaded with the ill-gotten cargo. This is an organised move and environmentalists have been unable to take notice of this up until now.
Though the activity takes place in broad day light, civic authorities as well as environmentalists are silent over the issue. It is unfortunate that the institutions made to safeguard the people and the natural resources of the country are completely dysfunctional and are destroying everything around there, the PFF spokesman added.
Mangroves are a sanctuary for shrimps, crabs, fish and a wide array of birds. The thick mangroves forests are now under extreme pressure due to lack of fresh water in the Indus Delta, coupled with the discharge of untreated effluents from industries and sewage from city. The increased demand for timber for fuel and other uses is also threatening the mangroves.
However, the present government has been seen to be reluctant to take immediate steps to stop the mass destruction of mangroves.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=123624
The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) have hurled allegations at the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) officials, saying that the area comes under the jurisdiction of the DHA.
A large number of people have been hired by the agents of the influential timber mafia to cut the endangered mangroves from inside the forests and they have destroyed wide expanses of mangroves from the inside of the forest, alleged a PFF spokesman while talking to The News. However, he said, this clever eradication of flora is not obvious from the outside.
The Sindh forest department had deployed officials near Rehri, a fishermen locality, to keep strict vigil over the move, but the officials have allegedly joined hands with the mafia to wipe out the mangroves.
When contacted, the local forest department officials claimed that they were there to impose fines against those caught red-handed. However, the situation observed by the visiting team reveals that influential officials, local sea lords and certain government bodies have initiated a joint move to clean the forest area, leaving millions of the city’s inhabitants vulnerable to natural calamities.
“When we entered the mangroves forest on boat we saw the horrible sight of trees being chopped down. People who introduced themselves to us as labourers on daily wages were axing live trees openly without any fear,” said Abdullah Khoso, who is conducting a study on mangroves and keeping an eye over the destruction of thick forests.
“It needs proper attention nobody can calculate how much area these people have already cleared. Each labourer is being paid Rs200 daily wages for the work,” added Khoso.
The concerned traders take the wood cutters to the forests on boat in the morning and pick them up in the evening. Timber is being transported by boats to the seashore where trucks and tractor trolleys are loaded with the ill-gotten cargo. This is an organised move and environmentalists have been unable to take notice of this up until now.
Though the activity takes place in broad day light, civic authorities as well as environmentalists are silent over the issue. It is unfortunate that the institutions made to safeguard the people and the natural resources of the country are completely dysfunctional and are destroying everything around there, the PFF spokesman added.
Mangroves are a sanctuary for shrimps, crabs, fish and a wide array of birds. The thick mangroves forests are now under extreme pressure due to lack of fresh water in the Indus Delta, coupled with the discharge of untreated effluents from industries and sewage from city. The increased demand for timber for fuel and other uses is also threatening the mangroves.
However, the present government has been seen to be reluctant to take immediate steps to stop the mass destruction of mangroves.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=123624
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