PAASBAN
The Guardians
Engaging vulnerable youth to counter extremism using innovative storytelling delivered through graphic novels, comics, apps and animation
In June 2015 we launched Paasban "The Guardian", a Graphic novel series aimed at de-radicalizing Pakistani youth. The project which initially launched as a three part graphic novel in both Urdu and English has been distributed for free to 15000 students in central and southern Punjab and also has upwards of 100,000 downloads over social media and through a custom designed comic reading app.
CREATING A COMIC THAT FIGHTS RADICALISM
Our content team worked with Countering Violent Extremism experts and some of the best writers in the country to create a well-researched set of storylines. Our in-house team of artists and designers worked on developing a unique art style which was inspired by acclaimed artist Abdur Rahman Chugtai. The team initially developed three beautifully illustrated graphic novels which have now been expanded to six.
REACH
IMPACT
15,000
AT RISK YOUTH IN
SOUTHERN PUNJAB
PAKISTAN
100,000
PLUS YOUTH IN
BROADER PAKISTAN
THROUGH DIGITAL
CHANNELS
52%
SHIFT IN ATTITUDE
AGAINST ENDORSING
VIOLENCE
33%
ACCEPTANCE OF
RELIGIOUS AND
CULTURAL
DIFFERENCES
20%
POSITIVE SHIFT
TOWARDS GENDER
EQUITY
“A bold movement of progressivist are bringing new comic book heroes to Pakistan’s at-risk children” FOREIGN POLICY
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APPIFYING THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
Our tech team developed a custom mobile application which features an immersive panel by panel comic reading experience augmented with animations and atmospheric music. This App, called “CFX Comics App” won the prestigious P@SHA award and has since become a platform for indigenous and international graphic novels available to readers in local languages.
