The ideology of Pakistan took form through an evolutionary process when Sir Syed Ahmad Khan commenced the Muslim self-awakening and after many years Allama Iqbal gave the truth-seeking dream, Quaid-i-Azam interpreted it and converted into reality.

The terms ideology of Pakistan, Islamic ideology and national interest are ad nauseam in speeches and legislation. Article 62(h) of the Constitution disqualifies a person from becoming a Member of Parliament if he or she is opposed to the Ideology of Pakistan.

Also article 63(g) disqualifies a person from becoming a member if he or she promulgated any opinion, or acts in any manner, prejudicial to the Ideology of Pakistan. These articles are simply for the defence of ideology of Pakistan. Every country defend not only its premises also its traditions and norms from both internally and externally influences.

Pakistan is busy in both internal and external defence. Internally it is fighting against terrorism. Terrorism has challenged South Asia in several forms over the last two decades. For over a decade, Pakistan has been pointed the finger at of supporting terrorism, first and foremost due to its support for Islamic militants opposing Indian rule in the disputed area of Jammu & Kashmir. Pakistan was the great promoter of Taliban. Pakistan has now become a most important US ally in the war against terrorism.

The Pakistani military is currently working unearthing terrorists from the Tribal Areas bordering Afghanistan. General Musharraf has been admired as an important ally in the war against terrorism, giving the impression that he and his government share the US sensitivity about terrorism being a shared threat. But it is still perceived both as a target and dramatization opinion for terrorism. Anyhow our government looks more interested in continuing its policy to fight terrorism abroad and militancy at home.

Musharraf said in the message on 23rd March 2005, “Pakistan’s role in the fight against terrorism abroad and militancy at home has brought in accolades, and “We would continue with this policy not due to any external pressure or desire to please any one but as a national agenda aimed at translating Quaid-e-Azam’s (Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s) vision of Pakistan into reality.” Although our President, Musharraf in an interview published in the Washington Post on June 23, called making a difference between terrorists and freedom fighters. Pakistan made new and more effective decision to curb the root of terrorism from Pakistan. Firstly, crackdown on Madaris and arresting suspicious religious leaders. This is very sensitive action.

We Pakistani are very much concerned with our religious places and leaders. But President Musharraf satisfied the nation and fully explained his vision and policies. Secondly, deporting the foreign students who were studying in our Madariss to their own countries. It is also too risky. This can agitate our relations with these countries.

Pakistan is facing the external interference. Pakistan made defence policies more stringent. The most important part of the policies is self-reliance. This perception may be different from the real threat but it is this perception, which dictates the defence policy. To finalist the defence policy, Pakistani leaders must have drawn lessons from the past. It should consider the importance of Northern border, South and eastern borders and Western border Situation on the northern border was never critical, China being a friendly country.

The defence of the frontier did not either create concern in the West. Only when the Soviet Army occupied Afghanistan, during 10 years from 1979 till 1989, did Pakistan really bother about its western frontier. Situation may be worrying again on the western frontier. The border with Iran is quiet.

The main and most of the time unique real threat to be strongly perceived came from India, that means from the south sea border and above all from the east land border. At sea, the only danger comes in fact from the Indian Navy and Air Force, which may threaten commercial links with the Middle East. Because of lack of west-east width, vulnerable lines of communication and vicinity of major towns within easy reach of enemy strikes, the Pakistan Army must keep a high state of readiness, which in turn forces India to take defence counter-measures.

At the time of independence, Pakistan disposed of a limited part of the armed forces, compared to India. Today, the Pakistani forces number more than 560.000 men, all regular soldiers, most of them in the army (about 520.000 men). The army consists of 9 army corps, 7 of which being stationed east of the Indus River close to the Indian border or ready to counterattack. The three services are outnumbered and outgunned by Indian forces.

The diversity of equipment creates logistics problems for supplies and maintenance, in peace and wartime. But India faces the same difficulties. It may not have changed; the army air defence command seems to have weak relations with the air defence commands of the air force. Three commands exist in the air force: north, central and south. No such decentralization has been done in the army; the 9 army corps are all subordinated to the general headquarters. Contrary to what happens in India, a bigger country it is true, there are no geographical commands with several army corps.

China did help Pakistan to build up a defence industry. But it has made lot of his efforts to meet its defence level only depending upon its resources. The Pakistan Naval Dockyard in Karachi, belonging to the Ministry of Defence, repairs and maintains the navy ships. Imports remain thus a must for Pakistan. At the time of creation of Pakistan in 1947, all sixteen ordnance factories fell to Indian share because of their locations. Pakistan, as a newly born State, had to therefore raise its own defence industry. In this context, beginning was in co-operation with British Royal ordnance and POF was established at Wah near Rawalpindi. Subsequently other industrial set ups were established over a period of time.

Today Pakistan Ordnance Factories is the biggest defence industrial complex in Pakistan meeting almost hundred percent ordnance needs of its armed forces. However, there are over 20 major public sector units and over 100 private sector firms engaged in the manufacture of Defence Related products. To mention a few major concerns are:

Heavy Industry at Taxila, commonly known as HIT started off as a pilot project in 1971 to retrofit T-59 tanks, is now meeting the heavy equipment requirements of the Army including Tank Al Khalid which can be favorably compared to any modern tanks of the world. Tank Al Zarrar and APC being manufactured by HIT enjoy international repute. National Development Complex was created with an objective of developing an infrastructure for indigenous development and production of 2 modern weapon systems. The achievement of self reliance in diverse technologies related to these areas has been the primary objective of NDC.

PAC Kamra was established to rebuild Mirage aircraft. At present, PAC is manufacturing Jet Trainer aircraft K-8 and Super Mushshak. Additionally PAC is untaking retrofit of F - 6 / 7, A - 5, and Mirage. Over a period of time, defence related industry of Pakistan has grown into well-established units meeting the needs of our Armed Forces and also exporting to the friendly countries.

Pakistan and India have some nuclear devices at their disposal. India developed its nuclear arsenal practically alone. India made a test in 1974. India is building its own missiles (like the medium range—from 150 to 250 kilometres respectively with a warhead of 1.000 kg or 500 kg—Prithvi, considered probably rightly by some experts to be nuclear capable, covering major targets in Pakistan, and the long range Agni, aimed at other targets in Pakistan (Balochistan) and China at a maximum distance of 2.500 kilometres).

In response of this Pakistan made the series of missiles. Ghauri missile and Medium range Hatf missiles (Hatf-1 with a range of 80 kilometres and Hatf-2 with a range of 300 kilometres), probably developed with Chinese technology, may become operational later; both have a 500 kilograms payload. Similarly, Baber curise missile is new entry in the series of missile. All these missiles have the capability to carry atomic warhead. A nuclear and ballistic race is raging in South-Asia.

Pakistan has always endeavored to provide maximum possible support to maintain peace and stability around the world and has been at the forefront in international peacekeeping missions around the globe. Pakistan’s participation in peacekeeping activities of the UN reflects its belief in the brotherhood of mankind and its commitment to peace across the globe. The humble contribution it has made in this regard bespeaks its desire to see the principles of human dignity, freedom and self-determination applied to all the people struggling to secure their inalienable basic human rights.

http://www.pakobserver.net/200510/10/Articles04.asp


--------------------