5th generation warfare & challenges
FIFTH generation warfare is a war between consciousness and knowledge. It can also be considered as a societal war of different cultural groups having various morals and values. It is a battle of perception and information.
If we look at the previous warfare, then first generation warfare was a war using manpower. It includes line and column tactics. Second warfare includes the use of rifles and gunpowder.
Whereas third generation warfare includes the use of tanks, artillery and air force. While fourth-generation warfare was asymmetric warfare and it included non-state actors.
The fifth-generation warfare begins as psychological warfare, the technique of propaganda warfare is employed to spread anarchy, chaos and depression.
A recent example of the fifth-generation warfare is the withdrawal of New Zealand from the cricket series against Pakistan. They were threatened by some emails sent to them. This is propaganda which is a component of fifth-generation warfare.
In the 5GW, people of the targeted country are divided on sectarian, ethnic and linguistic lines. The conspires are hatched to isolate the targeted country in the comity of nations in fifth-generation warfare.
Fifth-generation warfare posed many challenges in the shape of Political, economical, social, and religious challenges.
Political challenges include a continuous threat to democracy, disruption of peace and political harmony among the public.
Due to 5GW, anti-state elements are working in tribal and other parts of the country. It is also a threat by this warfare to break country from inside.
As far as social challenges are concerned, this warfare has an immense effect on the psychology of the public.
Due to this warfare, the crime rate in society increases, there is the absence of rule of law. The main aim of this warfare is to spread misinformation and false agenda just to manipulate the people.
While the economic challenges posed by 5GW include damage to property and other infrastructure. When any violent protest happens, damage to an individual’s property is caused. This is all part of the 5GW.
Devaluation of currency also comes under the 5GW, when some powerful group hatches a conspiracy against the targeted country, sanctions are imposed and the currency of that country is devalued.
Meanwhile in Pakistan, as conspiracies are made against the CPEC project is also a part of 5GW. Whereas religious threats are concerned everyone is aware, how sectarian war has emerged.
This is the agenda of fifth-generation warfare. Damage to religious places, the rise of insecurity among the religious minorities. These all are propaganda of fifth-generation warfare.
Today in this globalized world, Pakistan is also the victim of Fifth-generation warfare and facing threats to its sovereignty.
To respond to these challenges, Pakistan has to form and implement a code of conduct for the media.
There must be regulations for religious institutions as well as seminaries. Pakistan must impose strict rules and regulations on the use of social media.
Pakistan should also formats policies regarding spreading of false information. In this way, Pakistan can tackle threats posed by Fifth-generation warfare.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Karachi.
