Saad Masood
Imran Khan has been elected Prime Minister on a wave of anti-status quo sentiment and a palpable yearning for change. There are many an expectation in ‘Naya’ Pakistan from Imran Khan and his government. Therefore, there are trials and tribulations galore! Where does he start? Of-course there are immediate challenges that he needs to deal with when it comes to finance, health, education, taxation, trade, provision of basic rights, and institutional reforms. Nevertheless, with equal urgency and in parallel, he needs to look at rebooting Pakistan’s national security framework. To be clear, this is not an easy task even at the best of times and is a doubly daunting duty in this hectic and difficult period. Then why the suggestion to reinvigorate Pakistan’s national security framework now? For three simple reasons. One, to align with the adage, ‘strike when the iron is hot’. Two, and more crucially, because this is fundamental to Pakistan’s continued existence. Three, any further public policies will not work if this framework is not setup in the right direction.
The national security framework hierarchy starts with the national identity. Then, it focuses on national purpose leading up to national interests and finally delving into national security policy.
Borrowing from the previous opinion piece that discussed the efficient national security policy of Singapore contextualised within its national purpose and national interests, this op-ed builds the same for Pakistan.
That policy is a motivating vision and overall national direction with specific ends and objectives is now easy to understand. Reflecting it into the ambit of national security, not quite so. To top it all, to tie it down to national interest, and subsequently national purpose, is an even more arduous a task. But Rome wasn’t built in a day! Consider.
One of the most important pedestals in the national security framework belongs to the national purpose. The French call it raison d’être, reason to exist. This is the sole purpose of existence for a nation. If the people of a nation don’t know their common purpose, existence is futile! By leaning on the Pakistani constitution, the national purpose can be extrapolated in the following three beliefs. One, Pakistanis are one united people regardless of race, language, culture, or religion. Two, Pakistan will be a democratic state and society based on Islamic principles of social justice and equality. Third, achieve affluence and happiness for all through the values of democracy, freedom, equality, and tolerance.
Once the national purpose is defined, it can act as a catalyst for ascertaining the national interests of Pakistan. National interests are generally the goal and aspirations of a nation which can guarantee its survival. The French expression raison d’état, reason of state in English, sums up national interests the best. The key to success is to realise that national interests build upon the national purpose and don’t act against it.
Furthermore, national interests must be subjected to an exercise of prioritisation. There are four different intensity levels that can be assigned to the national interests of Pakistan. But before that, what are these levels and how are they defined? One, survival level is where a national interest is crucial for continued existence. Two, a national interest that counters a dangerous threat to the national well-being is categorised as vital. Three, major level is one which reflects serious external challenges abroad and outside of Pakistan. Four, any national interest that doesn’t encounter serious challenges but still faces irksome issues is tagged peripheral.
Thus, keeping in view the national purpose and aforementioned intensity levels, the following should be the defined national interests of Pakistan. First, Pakistan should become a nationally harmonious country – a survival level national interest. Second, it should become a secure state especially with regards to its territory, citizens, and constitution – a national interest related to Pakistan’s survival. Third, Pakistan needs to be a successful economy and enhance the standard of its citizens through favourable social opportunities. This is a vital level national interest. Fourth, promote a morally stable and secure world governed by the rule of law. Fifth, initiate friendships globally by acting as a democratic and credible partner. The last two being major level national interests. The astute reader will realise that there are no peripheral national interests. That is because fighting an existential threat leaves little room for peripheral interests!
After defining the national purpose and appropriately classifying national interests, a national security policy can be established to further this agenda. Recall that policy is a particular choice of direction which results in a galvanising vision of the future albeit created by specific policy ends. For Pakistan, the following ends must be in play. One, exist honourably in a volatile region and ensure transparent writ of the state to protect its people from all internal and external threats. Two, convert Pakistan into an economic and social powerhouse to safeguard and increase the quality of life for all Pakistanis. Three, promote diversity, liberty, equality, and a culture of tolerance. Four, strive for regional and global peace through amicable co-habitation and adherence to international norms.
Subsequently, the above debate suggests that Pakistan’s national security policy can be epitomised in one phrase – principled and peaceful survival and unswerving social and economic growth through mutual co-existence, harmonious internally and externally.
While the rebooted Pakistani national security framework foresees national purpose – furthered by related national interests and national security policy – as paramount, it also envisages an overarching national identity for all Pakistanis which is above ethnic, religious, sectarian, and social divide. That identity is a Muslim yet democratic Pakistan. This is because that while the creation of Pakistan is steeped in religion, the continued existence and further flourishing of Pakistan must be at the behest of all the people living within these borders.
Thus, there you have it – a national purpose leading to national interests which are furthered by an aligned national security policy. While all the time being encircled by the defined national identity for Pakistan.
For now, there are two crucial requirements.
First, the need of the hour is not only to execute upon these but also to advertise and market them to the population of Pakistan so that every Pakistani knows what we stand for and what is our national purpose and subsequent national interests. And how the national security policy will help us further these aims in order for Pakistan to be a successful and vibrant nation. Second, the subsequent crucial ask is for successive governments to stick steadfastly to these core ideals because that is the only way these can bear fruit. A change in the political setup might mean many fluctuations but there should neither be any compromise nor any variations in these principles. Anything less is a recipe for disaster!
