What are the security concerns of Pakistan? Suggest measures by revisiting the foreign policy of Pakistan? Css - 2011

1. Introduction

In Foreing Poliy, "There are no permanent friends or enemies, but what's permanent are interests."

2. Security Concerns of Pakistan

2a) Internal Security Concerns

• Indigenous acts of terrorism from Taliban.
• The insurgency in Baluchistan.
• The resurgent energy crisis resulting in destabilization of the country.
• Sectarian issue.
• Fragile Democracy
• Rampant Corruption

2b) External Concerns

• India's growing power in terms of economy and military might.
• Drone Attack and Territorial Violation
• Threat to Pakistan's Sovereignty due to attacks from Afghanistan.
• India's Growing Influence in Afghanistan and its perceived anti-Pakistan activities.
• Proxy Wars

3. Suggested Foreign Policy Measures:

• Promote trade and commerce to keep hostilities at bay.
• Foreign policy should not be India centric.
• Relaxed Visa Regime.
• Foreign Policy should be sole prerogative of the parliament.
• Foreign Policy should depart from that of security state to welfare state.
• Import of technology to tackle energy crisis.

4. Conclusion

Q. what are the security concerns of Pakistan? Suggest measures by revisiting the foreign policy of Pakistan?

Ans: Pakistan faces multi-pronged security concerns, but mostly these concerns emanate from India's Military might and its nefarious designs. There are many indigenous issues also that have become security threats for Pakistan. A congruent and a well defined Foreign Policy can do away with almost more than half of these threats. Lets have a look at salient security concerns of Pakistan and some foreign policy measures that can help to tackle these issues.


Security Concerns:

1. India's growing power in terms of economy and military might.
2. Threat to Pakistan's Sovereignty due to attacks from Afghanistan.
3. India's Growing Influence in Afghanistan and its perceived anti-Pakistan activities.
4. Indigenous acts of terrorism from Taliban.
5. The insurgency in Baluchistan.
6. The resurgent energy crisis resulting in destabilization of the country.
7. Sectarian issue.

Suggested Foreign Policy Measures:

1. Promote trade and commerce to keep hostilities at bay.
2. Foreign policy should not be India centric.
3. Relaxed Visa Regime.
4. Foreign Policy should be sole prerogative of the parliament.
5. Foreign Policy should depart from that of security state to welfare state.
6. Import of technology to tackle energy crisis.

Conclusion:

Pakistan already has a nuclear umbrella for its security, and by virtue of that the possibility of an all out war with India is not a reality now. Pakistan's paranoiac approach towards the threat from the East is a bit miscalculated, and the situation calls for a review of that approach towards the foreign policy. Wanton expenditure of resources in that direction will take us no where.

Courtesy: JWT

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