Pakistan’s new security policy
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Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) which is the highest forum for coordination on security issues recently approved the country’s National Security Policy. The aim of it is to strengthen security institutions so that these are in a better position to deal with all the internal and external challenges and protect citizens. The policy was prepared in consultation between the civilian and military leadership. Besides, several think tanks, stake holders and individuals were consulted or their opinion sought in its formulation and it was launched by the Prime Minister at the NSC meeting.
The idea behind the new security policy is to look at security in a more comprehensive manner so that it covers all elements of national power- economic, political and strategic-- especially ensuring the safety and security of citizens.
The idea and resolve are fine and laudable. Similar efforts or policies have been propagated earlier as well. The challenge is in their implementation. How feasible it is to implement it in view of the present level of efficiency and quality of governance. The fact that there are two parallel power centers, the civilian and the military, whose priorities are not always identical and allocation of resources remains uneven due to the prevailing external and internal security situation. Although the government brief was that the policy was prepared in consultation with all stake holders which implied that the security establishment was taken on board. But the main opposition parties were not consulted which was a major weakness.
The policy accords the highest priority to citizens well-being and economic security. It is a major shift from the past when military security was central or was the government’s main focus. The presumption is that a strong economy would be able to sustain an adequate defense budget and also cater to the needs of health, education and development of physical infrastructure. Although there is no specific mention in the policy brief, one presumes that with a good economy, politics would be relatively more manageable and less confrontational. According to the official announcement, the government would set up a special organization to monitor the faithful implementation of the program.
It is not clear what prevents the government to take the opposition and nation along and share the salient features of the policy in the parliament.
Talat Masood
In theory the plan is laudable, the real challenge will be in its implementation. There are other aspects as well that need to be looked into. First, can Pakistan’s economy be put on the right track with politics being so confrontational and chaotic. Is it not necessary to take the opposition on board? Besides, the intense hostility of India, the volatile situation in Afghanistan and the internal security being subjected to attacks from dissident elements like Tehrik -Taliban Pakistan and Daesh are challenges not entirely in control of the government. Moreover, currently Pakistan’s economy is passing through a difficult phase and is closely subjected to IMF conditionalities. It will take years to come out of it. Meanwhile, it will be difficult to pursue economic and financial policies that do not have their approval.
PM Imran Khan’s remarks that national security is not merely military power but is more comprehensive and involves inclusive growth is well understood. The real test is in its implementation that successive governments have failed to implement. The PTI government’s performance so far does not give the confidence that it is in a position to meet the goals it set during its tenure. Even if it were to move forward with partly achieving some of these, it would be creditable.
The policy has been made by the National Security Adviser and his team and approved by the Prime Minister. According to established democratic practices it should have first been presented to the cabinet and then placed before the parliament and its committees for their concurrence. Unless the parliament and opposition parties are taken into confidence and their consensus taken on board, it is possible that with the change of government the whole project is shelved. Moreover, the details and the full policy is yet to be made public and it is not certain if it will be released any time soon. Why is it being kept secret when the policy is for the public good is not very clear.
The PTI government has given high priority to increasing trade, commerce and economic relations as part of its broader policy goals of shifting from geo-politics to geo-economics. Its successful implementation, however, is dependent on maintaining peace in the country and in neighboring states, good relations with neighbors and a comprehensive infrastructure of rail, road and air services.
The government’s policy of treating foreign investors at par with local entrepreneurs and opening all sectors for direct investment and creating several special economic zones to facilitate investment should be a major incentive for them.
According to the PM, the government’s effort is to place human well-being and security at the center of its national policy. This is indeed a laudable goal for any political leader. The new policy is expected to be presented to the federal cabinet for its approval, which will be more of a formality. It is not clear what prevents the government to take the opposition and nation along and share the salient features of it in the parliament. There are certain other clauses in the policy that may perhaps never be in the public domain or even in the knowledge of the parliament. Indeed, it is only with the full backing of the people and national parties that policies acquire prominence and longevity.
- Talat Masood is a retired Lieutenant General from Pakistan Army and an eminent scholar on national security and political issues.
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