Dr Mehmood-ul-Hassan Khan
UNFORTUNATELY, our national security is now at stake and in the line of fire because of series of political outbursts and gusts. Rapidly changing geopolitical incidents and geo-strategic scenarios warned the policy makers and politicians to rise above their personal prejudices and inbuilt narrow-mindedness and tackle the emerging security and socio-economic challenges with ease and zeal. But all stakeholders, central government and the combined opposition are at cross-roads. The so called formation of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has become one of the biggest spoilers of national security. Lust of governance, burden of massive corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, land grabbing and unlimited incidents of malpractices have pulled all of them in the direction of indecency, blame game, dirty politics and false counter narrative even against defence forces of Pakistan and primer intelligence agency ISI. It seems that out of their personal frustration and political irrelevancy they are all in the race of foolishness.
Most recently, while briefing the media, DG ISPR categorically rejected self-defined notions of PDM against defence forces of Pakistan and strategic asset ISI in their rallies and processions. He showed anger and dissatisfaction of a solider to general in the defence forces of Pakistan which always ready to shed their blood for the safety and security of their beloved country. He termed PDM narrative as anti-Pakistan and pro-Indian. National politics has now become comedy of error where everyone is committing a serious blunder to show high level of loyalty to peers. The vicious cycle of hatred against State institutions got started by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif through his rhetoric clearly depicting his last cry. Now it is the term of political puppets to show their sympathies and support to sinking dynasty of Sharif’s. The latest episode was staged by MNA Ayaz Sadiq while speaking in the National Assembly terming release of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan as a sub-standard gesture of the government and tried to even vilify leadership of the defence forces.
It was an act of personal glorification and gratification which has produced serious dints in our national narrative of counter terrorism and protection of territorial sovereignty. He abused state, its important institutions and even collective will of general masses who love defence forces of Pakistan by hearts. Police case has been registered against Ayaz Sadiq in the Civil Lines Police Station, Lahore. Cracks appeared in Muslim League (N) and senior leaders from Baluchistan and Punjab dispelled the narratives of Ayaz Sadiq and Nawaz Sharif. It seems that flood of disassociation will produce panics and further political marginalization in the ranks of PDM in the days to come. Irrationalities have no boundaries. Federal Minister Fawad Ch also indulged into blame game and termed Pulwama incident a moral victory for Pakistan which produced shock awe in the country and afterwards, regional as well international media mocked this irresponsible statement as self-confession. Foreign Office clarified the statement of Fawad Ch and tried to pacify the national and regional media outlets. It would be a disaster for the government to plead its just case in the upcoming FATF session where India and many other regional countries have been trying to push Pakistan into the “abyss of darkness”. It is time to realize gravity of the emerging geopolitical and geostrategic situation and act wisely because national security should not be compromised at any cost.
Human civilization and evolution of modern governance uphold the significance of national security. From Prophet David to Salman to Moses and Jesus national security mattered and acted as first deterrence. The rise & fall of Roman Empire and other splendid states of ancient China, Persia, Egypt and even India all bowed towards the strategic importance of national security and intelligence services. Even rise of Turkish state against barbarian Mongols was survived and strengthened because of protection and supremacy of national security mechanism and vital role of intelligence services. In case of Pakistan strong army and supra intelligence services are utmost necessary to protect national pride, prestigious and patriotisms. Regional governments and their intelligence agencies have been in search of safe heavens within the soil of Pakistan to destabilize it. They have now started 5th generation hybrid war against Pakistan which has serious consequences but majority of our politicians are at deep sleep. There is no match between unlimited and ending martyrdom of defence forces of Pakistan and its intelligence agencies (ISI & MI & IB) the “unsung heroes” and between corrupt & greedy politicians. Although national security is a vast and complicated term but still comparing “soldiering” with “substandard” politicians is out of the box.
In any civilized society there is no scope for corruption. People of this country have been at the receiving end because of unstopped corruption and uncountable deeds of so-called dignified political figures and its cartels for the last forty years. Somehow, they all remained untouchable and repeated undue compromises unfortunately, transformed them diva and deity. Now PTI government have showed some courage to trial the corrupt politicians. In this regard despite constant criticism on National Accountability Bureau (NAB) various cases of corruption and money laundering are being filed in the courts. Pakistan has now entered into a defining moment. The tussle between state and political statutes, courts and conspiracies, law and loot, justice and jugglers and above all accountability and fugitiveness will come to its logical conclusion very soon because state is at stake and a series of political balderdash will achieve nothing but total catastrophe.
Pakistan is again in the line of fire. All of a sudden genie of terrorism has come out of the bottle and haunting the defence forces and common people alike. More than 35 soldiers and civilians have been assassinated in different parts of the country. Indian national security advisor Ajit Doval announced the “New India” doctrine which is somehow replica of Israel expansionist model to be replicated against Pakistan which should be a wake-up call for the government and the Opposition. National security is a sensitive issue which should not be debated in public. Concept of privacy should not be discussed in public sphere. Unfortunately political theatre of Pakistan has become a circus wherein people of mediocre abilities and suspect characters have gained important slots within the system due to which caravans of socio-economic prosperity have been captured. Castles of most of the politicians (MNA & MPAs) are built on merciless corruption and land grabbing due to which they always opt garbage in comparison to the greatness of a solider.
—The writer is Director, Geopolitics/Economics Member Board of Experts, CGSS.
