Ayeshah Ahmad

 SECURITY THREATS CONFRONTING PAKISTAN WHAT IS THE PAKISTAN’S SECURITY PROBLEM? The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, once said “The weak and defenseless, in this imperfect world, invite aggression from others.” Given the nature of the existing international, regional, and domestic environment, Pakistan is facing many security challenges. Challenges are divided into three groups; external, domestic, and those challenges that have linkage with both external as well as internal situation such as terrorism. Pakistan has been facing external threats to its independence and territorial integrity right from its birth. Pakistan’s security perceptions have been largely influenced by its state of relationships with India and Afghanistan. More specifically, the single largest source of security challenges has been with India. Today, Pakistan is confronted with a three-threat scenario—the perennial threat from India, Afghanistan, and the threat emanating from a changing domestic situation. The developments following 9/11 have further complicated the situation. Since partition, India and Pakistan have fought three major wars (1948, 1965, and 1971), witnessed two large border clashes (Rann of Kutch in 1965, and Kargil in 1999) experienced three major crises (Brasstack in 1987, Kashmir in 1990, and troops confrontation in 2001-2), and had innumerable exchanges of fire along the LOC within 65 years of independence. The Kashmir dispute has been and in many ways still continues to be, the main source of continued antagonism between the two countries.in addition the people of Kashmir have been consistently striving and vociferously raising their voices for independence. The Indian government has consistently refused to read the writings on the wall, and has opted for a military approach to suppress the movement. Indian officials have also been asserting that the UN resolution is no longer valid and applicable, as the Kashmiri people have been regularly participating in the local state elections. Apart from the Kashmir dispute, Siachin, Sir Creek, and water related issues are also taking a huge chunk of goodwill. The second major source of external threat emanates from the current developments in Afghanistan. The threat from Afghanistan did not acquire alarming proportion until the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have experienced many vicissitudes. Post 9/11 developments further complicated the situation. the experiences of the Pakistan and Afghanistan relations in the past have not always been very pleasant, and many times the unpleasant aspects took the front line. Afghanistan’s internal problems and the military inferiority, it cannot pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s security. But the danger felt from Afghanistan’s political instability into the neighboring provinces of Pakistan cannot be overlooked. The third major source of concern Internal Security Challenges Not only is Pakistan confronted with many internal threats and challenges to its physical security, but also to its citizens. There are issues relating to governance, political instability, sluggish economy, energy and water crises, ethnicity, extremism, and terrorism etc. The situation in Karachi, parts of Baluchistan, and FATA is still far from a satisfactory level. While the Karachi situation is indeed the product of multiple factors including ethnic and sectarian violence, terrorists’ infiltration, and the resurgence of gang warfare along with target killings, the Baluchistan situation is also the result of many factors such as grievances over economic exploitation, underdevelopment, perceived unfair use of provincial resources, the quest for political power, and covert external intervention. Estranged local groups are exploited by the foreign players. In FATA, unnecessarily delayed socio-economic development coupled with state’s inability to pursue gradual integration of the area provided opportunities to interested outsiders to exploit the situation. The fourth most important source of security challenges is terrorism and the ongoing war on terrorism. No country has suffered as much as Pakistan in terms of both human lives as well as material damage. Pakistan’s engagement in the war on terror has cost her more than 6,700 lives of armed forces personnel, along with more than 15,000 soldiers wounded, and a civilian death count higher than 37,000.9 In terms of material damage to Pakistan, it is generally referred to as more than $78 billion. HOW TO SOLVE THIS? Pakistan faces a number of security threats, both internal & external ones. Sometimes an amalgamation of both. The Pakistan security forces need to respond to these challenges better, but so far, only a lack of planning, strategy & farsightedness has been displayed.  The main threat to Pakistan has always been perceived to be emanating from India. A large number of forces are stationed close to Pakistan’s eastern border, and Line of Control (LOC). And lessen the visa restrictions for people of india and Pakistan especially for Kashmiris. Pakistan cannot stop terrorism unless it can control its borders. It will cost too much to wire the borders. However, a regular system of helicopter-based monitoring must be developed if Pakistan wants to assure security. Since Pakistan has a large army, it should not have a problem of personnel. The cost will be essentially that of helicopters and of maintenance. Since the beginning of the war on terror, and Pakistan’s participation in the collective effort to control the spread of terrorism, Pakistan is perhaps the only country which has paid an enormous cost. Pakistan has undertaken many constructive measures in order to curb terrorism. Some of these measures are listed below: Cooperating with the UN Employment of Pakistani troops though troop usage in FATA is indeed selective Apprehension and Killing of Al-Qaeda Terrorists Rooting out Foreign Militants Sharing of Vital Intelligence Banning of Religious Organizations Instituting Madrassa reforms Ban on Hate Literature Syllabus Reform Setting up of Tripartite Commission Proposal for Fencing and Mining of Borders Anti-Terrorist Pacts and Extradition Treaties Promoting Islamic Renaissance Active member of International Coalition to combat terrorism The existence of an external threat along with the war on terror has complicated the law and order situation in Pakistan. Not only are paramilitary forces regularly called to assist the agencies entrusted with the task of maintaining the law and order situation, but the armed forces have to deal effectively with developments on both eastern as well as western borders. Nations would be held on periodically for smooth working and development of political and economically. The future of peace in South Asia rests heavily upon the Indo-Pak equation. Jointly, they can shoulder the responsibility of ensuring security, stability, and accelerated economic development of the region. Dialogue and mutual understanding is absolutely essential to clarify India and Pakistan’s military and nuclear doctrines and build political and technical barriers to the eruption of conflict, by miscalculation or mistake. Positive relationship should be worked out between the Muslims and the non-Muslims. A cordial environment should be created where the minorities do not feel neglected and contribute in building Pakistan as a better state. CONCLUSION 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 problem stems from governance. Pakistan needs to have stability within in order to meet the challenges from outside and the remedy for that would be smooth governance. Good governance would enhance the problems, or rid the country with impediments, which have caused the development and led to internal security threats. Economic reforms need to be introduced, which will be progressive for the country. Education needs to be emphasized and made as a key to success for the development and stability in the country. Social sector reforms need to be introduced. Pakistan needs to emphasize on education, which will bring out a better society. Education will redress most of the evils faced by Pakistan. It will make people more aware of the menace of ethnicity, sectarianism and terrorism. The issue of corruption and inept governance would be resolved as people would elect the leadership which would be able to deliver, as there would be no ignorance on the voter parts as observed previously, education will bring forth enlightenment, which further will allow them to distinguish between the good and the bad. Only an economically strong, internally stable and tolerant Pakistan will have the capacity and confidence to deal with external challenges.