National security has a wide meaning and all embracing
dimensions. When we discuss National security we agree that it is an overriding
priority of all states and it consists of not only military but also political,
economic, social, humanitarian and human rights aspects. Threat posed to any
element of national power creates security problems, whereas enhanced security in
contrast creates conditions for the successful pursuit of development.
In the new
literature on national security, internal factors are of equal and sometimes
more importance than the traditional factors. Recently non-military threats to
security have moved to the forefront of global concern: underdevelopment and
declining prospects for development as well as mismanagement and waste of
resources constitute challenges to security.
Terrorism
has deep roots in Pakistani society due to number of causes that includes bad
governance, marginalization of rural areas, delay and unavailability of justice
and easy access to weapons. Extremism in any society is due to poverty,
unemployment, weak law and order, health and illiteracy. Socio-economic
problems lead towards extremism because when these problems are combined they
provide ground for terrorists.
Pakistan faces multi forms of terrorism; To begin with, the Global War on Terror (GWOT) effects Pakistan’s security environment more than any other state in the world. The events of 9/11 brought dramatic changes not only in Pakistan’s foreign policy but also drastically disturbed the security scenario of Pakistan.
Therefore, the emphasis on national security, since then, has changed: it now revolves around internal threats and challenges rather than external. Among the domestic sources of concerns that had almost continuously impacted Pakistani society, there are issues relating to governance, political instability, sluggish economy, energy and water crises, ethnicity, extremism, and terrorism etc. Given the nature of the existing international, regional, and domestic environment, Pakistan is facing many security challenges.
Pakistan has been facing external threats to its independence and territorial integrity right from its birth. Sandwiched between India and Afghanistan, Pakistan’s security perceptions have been largely influenced by its state of relationships with India and Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan is confronted with a three-threat scenario—the perennial threat from India, Afghanistan, and the threat emanating from a changing domestic situation, presenting a formidable task for Pakistani security planners.
More specifically, the single largest source of security challenges has been with India. However, on September 3, 2008, for the first time in 60 years of independence, Pakistan faced a direct military attack by external armed forces, other than India. It was an alarming situation for Pakistan's security and sovereignty. Periodic domestic troubles along with internal subversion further complicated the situation.
It is true in strategic terms that in view of Afghanistan’s internal problems and the relative military inferiority; it cannot pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. But the danger of possible fall out from Afghanistan’s political instability into the neighboring provinces of Pakistan cannot be overlooked. The provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan and FATA are extremely prone to such an eventuality, primarily because of the existence of dissident elements. The diversion in Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan offers opportunities as well as challenges for the state. It could also provide an opportunity to anti-government elements to use the ignited situation to their own advantage.
It is important to note that FATA has been considered as a strategic depth of Pakistan and as the legitimate area of country’s territories. In fact, it has been the part of Pakistan’s foreign policy to protect and secure its borders and to make no compromise on its national objectives. Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan became breeding grounds of extremism from where terrorists and extremists spread throughout Pakistan in the name of religious activism. The protection of the whole country depends on securing the FATA, which is the gateway to Pakistan’s territorial integrity and governance.
Since 9/11 there are many horizontal and vertical divisions regarding national security, which keep people divided: religion, identity and economic disparity. Religious extremism has created an unenviable image of Pakistan in the eyes of the rest of the world and has affected the country adversely. Besides ethnicity and sectarianism, inter-provincial grievances could also potentially cause serious damage to the federation. Similarly, Pakistan’s troubled economic conditions, fluid political setting, and perilous security circumstances present serious challenges to Pakistan’s security.
On top of it all, Talibanization promoted a culture of terrorism in Pakistan which includes ambushes on armed forces by Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP); suicide attacks in mosques and other important places; target killings of religious, political and civil society figures, scholars and doctors, journalists; and blowing up schools, offices of NGOs, bridges and pillions.
Deep rifts have always been present within the political, religious and even government circles on the issue of the war on terror and the government’s policies in this regard. There also appear to be rifts in public opinion vis’ - a - vis’ government approach to militancy and terrorism, for example certain groups agitation against the on going talks with TTP.
A sever skepticism has emerged about the negotiation process is that it helped set up the TTP as a legitimate political actor rather than a terrorist organization. The official policy has neither brought peace nor evolved a consensus on the issue. Many quarters consider Pakistan’s polity as confused with further confusion being sown by ill informed debates in the media. Consequently the natural outcome of talks would be a split view on the Taliban.
Moreover, certain political and security analysts argue that Weak governance and over-reliance on military solutions have contributed to political turmoil and a build-up of extremism. One comes across a multitude of statements – by military chiefs, the diplomatic community, and political leaders – which are not only contradictory but also lack commitment to resolve the issue. Resultantly, in an environment devoid of trust and consensus, ambiguity has constantly shrouded government initiatives for fighting terrorism and restoring peace in the country.
These divisions, while causing socio-political instability, are also undermining Pakistan’s economic system. Despite recent economic recovery and sound macro policies, the absence of genuine socio-economic development has provided ethno-sectarian elements and regional forces grounds to exploit and weaken Pakistan internally.
Considering the impact of the Information Age, the media - print, electronic and social, affect us as individual and as a collective body. Though problem solution is not the part of media’s job, it holds significant influence as far as informing and molding public opinion and consequently creating a positive environment for security and peace are concerned. The media can play an important role in creating a positive environment for peace: they can demonize or legitimize enemies, they can emphasize the benefits of peace or the risks of compromise, and they can monitor the peace processes for progress. Another by-product of the information age that could have an impact on policy making is the possibility of enhanced public responsiveness to events.
On the other hand, the role of media in war is not just to project the developing activities in a particular area but to offer a comprehensive picture, encompassing all aspects of the policies of the country. Currently, the war is not only fought by the armed forces but the whole nation is engaged in the economic, scientific, political and social endeavors and production in all feasible fields. It is a viable objective, which is achieved through the information and dissemination process of the media.
Today, electronic media is the most effective and powerful means of mass motivation. A nation not motivated enough to withstand the aggression cannot aspire to preserve its freedom, faith and ideology for long. On the other hand, strong motivated people cannot be forced to abandon their struggle against heavy odds. It is for this aspect of unique coverage and impact that the electronic media can be geared.
The religious spectrum ranges from mild to extreme. The proponents of this discourse can be found at all levels of state and society. The insurgents and hardliners siding with the Afghan Taliban are not in majority. Their groupings are neither centralized in character nor directly controlled by Al Qaeda. A number of groups with sectarian, ethnic, and Islamist agendas, joined by criminals, come together under the banner of jihad against the presence of Western forces in Afghanistan and the Pakistani government.
However, moderate religious organizations – including charities, madrassas and the civil society – believe that extremists are misusing Islam for their petty agendas. But the people all over the world are feeling the fallout. Such moderate elements have not been able to come to the forefront and ordinary people continue to fall prey to the extremist version of Islam. This brings us to political perspective on peace in the post-9/11 era.
Pakistan’s economic performance does not appear to be bright in the wake of the prevailing turmoil, rising terrorist violence, political uncertainties and growing Talibanization of the society. Due to economic instability investors are afraid of investing in Pakistan. Even Pakistan’s own investors, traders and industrialists reluctant to invest here, prefer to do investment in countries. This directly increases our public resentment.
Pakistan faces multi forms of terrorism; To begin with, the Global War on Terror (GWOT) effects Pakistan’s security environment more than any other state in the world. The events of 9/11 brought dramatic changes not only in Pakistan’s foreign policy but also drastically disturbed the security scenario of Pakistan.
Therefore, the emphasis on national security, since then, has changed: it now revolves around internal threats and challenges rather than external. Among the domestic sources of concerns that had almost continuously impacted Pakistani society, there are issues relating to governance, political instability, sluggish economy, energy and water crises, ethnicity, extremism, and terrorism etc. Given the nature of the existing international, regional, and domestic environment, Pakistan is facing many security challenges.
Pakistan has been facing external threats to its independence and territorial integrity right from its birth. Sandwiched between India and Afghanistan, Pakistan’s security perceptions have been largely influenced by its state of relationships with India and Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan is confronted with a three-threat scenario—the perennial threat from India, Afghanistan, and the threat emanating from a changing domestic situation, presenting a formidable task for Pakistani security planners.
More specifically, the single largest source of security challenges has been with India. However, on September 3, 2008, for the first time in 60 years of independence, Pakistan faced a direct military attack by external armed forces, other than India. It was an alarming situation for Pakistan's security and sovereignty. Periodic domestic troubles along with internal subversion further complicated the situation.
It is true in strategic terms that in view of Afghanistan’s internal problems and the relative military inferiority; it cannot pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. But the danger of possible fall out from Afghanistan’s political instability into the neighboring provinces of Pakistan cannot be overlooked. The provinces of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan and FATA are extremely prone to such an eventuality, primarily because of the existence of dissident elements. The diversion in Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan offers opportunities as well as challenges for the state. It could also provide an opportunity to anti-government elements to use the ignited situation to their own advantage.
It is important to note that FATA has been considered as a strategic depth of Pakistan and as the legitimate area of country’s territories. In fact, it has been the part of Pakistan’s foreign policy to protect and secure its borders and to make no compromise on its national objectives. Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan became breeding grounds of extremism from where terrorists and extremists spread throughout Pakistan in the name of religious activism. The protection of the whole country depends on securing the FATA, which is the gateway to Pakistan’s territorial integrity and governance.
Since 9/11 there are many horizontal and vertical divisions regarding national security, which keep people divided: religion, identity and economic disparity. Religious extremism has created an unenviable image of Pakistan in the eyes of the rest of the world and has affected the country adversely. Besides ethnicity and sectarianism, inter-provincial grievances could also potentially cause serious damage to the federation. Similarly, Pakistan’s troubled economic conditions, fluid political setting, and perilous security circumstances present serious challenges to Pakistan’s security.
On top of it all, Talibanization promoted a culture of terrorism in Pakistan which includes ambushes on armed forces by Tehrik-e- Taliban Pakistan (TTP); suicide attacks in mosques and other important places; target killings of religious, political and civil society figures, scholars and doctors, journalists; and blowing up schools, offices of NGOs, bridges and pillions.
Deep rifts have always been present within the political, religious and even government circles on the issue of the war on terror and the government’s policies in this regard. There also appear to be rifts in public opinion vis’ - a - vis’ government approach to militancy and terrorism, for example certain groups agitation against the on going talks with TTP.
A sever skepticism has emerged about the negotiation process is that it helped set up the TTP as a legitimate political actor rather than a terrorist organization. The official policy has neither brought peace nor evolved a consensus on the issue. Many quarters consider Pakistan’s polity as confused with further confusion being sown by ill informed debates in the media. Consequently the natural outcome of talks would be a split view on the Taliban.
Moreover, certain political and security analysts argue that Weak governance and over-reliance on military solutions have contributed to political turmoil and a build-up of extremism. One comes across a multitude of statements – by military chiefs, the diplomatic community, and political leaders – which are not only contradictory but also lack commitment to resolve the issue. Resultantly, in an environment devoid of trust and consensus, ambiguity has constantly shrouded government initiatives for fighting terrorism and restoring peace in the country.
These divisions, while causing socio-political instability, are also undermining Pakistan’s economic system. Despite recent economic recovery and sound macro policies, the absence of genuine socio-economic development has provided ethno-sectarian elements and regional forces grounds to exploit and weaken Pakistan internally.
Considering the impact of the Information Age, the media - print, electronic and social, affect us as individual and as a collective body. Though problem solution is not the part of media’s job, it holds significant influence as far as informing and molding public opinion and consequently creating a positive environment for security and peace are concerned. The media can play an important role in creating a positive environment for peace: they can demonize or legitimize enemies, they can emphasize the benefits of peace or the risks of compromise, and they can monitor the peace processes for progress. Another by-product of the information age that could have an impact on policy making is the possibility of enhanced public responsiveness to events.
On the other hand, the role of media in war is not just to project the developing activities in a particular area but to offer a comprehensive picture, encompassing all aspects of the policies of the country. Currently, the war is not only fought by the armed forces but the whole nation is engaged in the economic, scientific, political and social endeavors and production in all feasible fields. It is a viable objective, which is achieved through the information and dissemination process of the media.
Today, electronic media is the most effective and powerful means of mass motivation. A nation not motivated enough to withstand the aggression cannot aspire to preserve its freedom, faith and ideology for long. On the other hand, strong motivated people cannot be forced to abandon their struggle against heavy odds. It is for this aspect of unique coverage and impact that the electronic media can be geared.
The religious spectrum ranges from mild to extreme. The proponents of this discourse can be found at all levels of state and society. The insurgents and hardliners siding with the Afghan Taliban are not in majority. Their groupings are neither centralized in character nor directly controlled by Al Qaeda. A number of groups with sectarian, ethnic, and Islamist agendas, joined by criminals, come together under the banner of jihad against the presence of Western forces in Afghanistan and the Pakistani government.
However, moderate religious organizations – including charities, madrassas and the civil society – believe that extremists are misusing Islam for their petty agendas. But the people all over the world are feeling the fallout. Such moderate elements have not been able to come to the forefront and ordinary people continue to fall prey to the extremist version of Islam. This brings us to political perspective on peace in the post-9/11 era.
Pakistan’s economic performance does not appear to be bright in the wake of the prevailing turmoil, rising terrorist violence, political uncertainties and growing Talibanization of the society. Due to economic instability investors are afraid of investing in Pakistan. Even Pakistan’s own investors, traders and industrialists reluctant to invest here, prefer to do investment in countries. This directly increases our public resentment.
Conclusion
To conclude, Pakistan needs a system of governance where
there are checks and balances, which works for the building of institutions and
bringing about cohesion within the working of these institutions. The major
problems stem from governance. Pakistan needs to have stability in order to
meet the challenges from outside and the remedy for that would be smooth
governance.
Economic
reforms need to be introduced which will be progressive for the country.
Education needs to be emphasized for development and stability in the country.
Social sector reforms need to be introduced.
The
ethno-sectarian problems are major security threats to Pakistan and will remain
a huge impediment to the goals of economic prosperity. Interdependence of these
multifaceted threats and their overall impact on internal security is the focus
of this analysis. Pakistan needs to address these national security threats and
find a viable solution in a reasonable timeframe to find its rightful place in
the community of modern nations. The immediate requirement is to introduce
political, economic and education reforms and take bold initiatives to obviate
present and future threats.
No comments:
Post a Comment