WHILE addressing the 26th National Security Workshop in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that national security is directly linked to economic security. Undoubtedly, Pakistan is gradually moving in the right direction; our national security will improve on its own due to economic strengthening. The National Security Workshop is a high-level program organized by the National Defence University. The purpose of this workshop is to inform individuals from various sectors of the country about national security issues, challenges and the policymaking process. I also had the opportunity to attend the Workshop, which is an honour for me. This workshop reaffirmed the commitment that there will be no compromise on the country’s nuclear technology and defence. The goal of the National Security Workshop is to understand the various aspects of national security and to develop strategies to address the challenges Pakistan faces in terms of defence. Key topics include internal and external challenges to national security, defence strategy, foreign policy, economic security, terrorism and counter-terrorism. Participants of the workshop are provided with a comprehensive perspective on policymaking and decision-making so that they can better contribute to the protection of national interests.
The participants of the recent workshop included members of parliament, bureaucrats, officers of the defence forces, diplomats and representatives of civil society. To ensure national security, governments rely on diplomacy alongside political, economic and military power strategies. In this regard, consultations with various segments of the country are also organized so that measures to ensure national security can be taken based on their advice. National security refers to a government’s ability to protect its citizens, economy and other institutions. Some non-military aspects of national security include economic security, political security, energy security, homeland security, cybersecurity and environmental protection. Therefore, the fundamental framework of the national security policy is at the core of the national security workshop, with a particular focus on non-traditional aspects of national security. A notable feature of the workshop is the expression of a desire and hope among all participants, without exception, to set things right in the homeland. Surprisingly, everyone is aware of the country’s issues: generally, they also know the solutions, but the real question is who will address these challenges? From parliamentarians to civil society representatives, everyone inquires from one another.
God has blessed Pakistan with all kinds of natural resources, but as a nation, we have not been able to manage our resources effectively. Therefore, the real question is not how many resources we have, but what can be done to organize these resources and utilize them for national construction and development? It is essential to establish institutions where systems are stronger than personalities, instead of the opposite situation. The de-politicization of state institutions, meaning political non-intervention, is the first and most important step towards achieving this objective. Priority institutions include the judiciary, police, bureaucracy, election commission and public enterprises, among others.
A system of transparency and accountability within state institutions holds key significance. Similarly, there is a need to strengthen the social contract between the state and the public. In this regard, the rule of law (ensuring timely and equal access to justice and protection of life and property) and the economic well-being of ordinary citizens are fundamental requirements that need to be prioritized before anything else, even before health and education. This implies that the improved performance and standards of the judiciary are extremely important. Achieving these objectives requires a strong political will. These aspirations can only flourish in a political environment where all political forces clearly understand that their political survival depends on their performance (serving the public) rather than on artificial support mechanisms. Therefore, political forces should always look towards public support (the power of votes) for their survival, not elsewhere. The question is, how can such a conducive political environment be achieved? To rectify the poor strategies and mistakes made in the past, all state institutions have the responsibility to adhere to a policy of non-intervention within constitutional limits to provide a favourable political environment in the country. However, at the same time, a strong and impartial election commission is also a critical need of the hour. The election commission must ensure strict compliance with the established code of conduct for candidates and related verification procedures, as well as guarantee the conduct of free and fair elections.
For the protection of national security, it is the state’s primary responsibility to shape public opinion and prevent its exploitation. The media, as the fourth pillar of the state, also bears responsibilities in this regard. The media is not merely a business; it is integral to national security. Thus, the state must regulate the media effectively. For Pakistanis, a peaceful environment hinges on economic development and a higher standard of living. The question remains: is it realistic to expect change from those with the power to improve the situation? If national problems persist, it reflects a lack of good political leadership. Historically, political leadership has sought power through other means rather than constitutional processes, creating this gap. Like leadership in any modern democratic country, ours must fulfill constitutional roles. The country’s political, social, and economic leadership must come from within, not from outside. Given global and regional changes, it is crucial to establish a National Security Advisor to coordinate within the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and act as a watchdog. The National Security Committee must also be regularly updated. Enhancing the National Security Division’s capacity is essential to make it more effective and consultative in national policymaking. National security is a collective responsibility of the entire nation, not just the government or institutions.
In any case, the current need is to raise awareness among the public regarding national security and to prepare them to fulfil their duties and responsibilities in this regard, as national security is a collective responsibility of the entire nation, not just a single institution or government.
—The writer is Chairman, Tehrik Jawanan Pakistan.
