National security and policy implementation challenges

Today I'm sharing the Express tribune news article. This is most important article about the Pakistan National security. I hope that it will helpful to prepare competitive examination. 

At its meeting on January 2, the National Security Committee (NSC) resolved to take the necessary measures to reduce Afghan cross-border attacks and demanded that Kabul eliminate TTP safe havens from Afghan soil. Pakistan was the target of TTP attacks in 2022, which were carried out with the cooperation of the Afghan Taliban; In addition, if the Kabul regime is unable to contain forces involved in unprovoked border infiltration in 2023, the situation may remain the same.

A nation's national security cannot be saved unless it is economically and politically stable. Pakistan's political and economic vulnerability in 2022 opened the door to foreign intervention, particularly from the Afghan side, with the sole purpose of destabilizing the nation. In 2022, the Afghan syndrome, not India, continued to pose a threat to Pakistan through TTP-led attacks.

Will this time's NSC resolution have any effect on Pakistan's terrorism dilemma, or will it fade away like previous similar pledges? Since the APC attack on December 16, 2014, what are the issues that undermine the credibility of the National Security Policy? Why has Pakistan's security situation worsened due to a lack of political will and an impartial professional approach to combating the threat of terrorism?

Not only does the TTP threat from Afghanistan pose a significant threat to Pakistan, but also the widespread smuggling of wheat and dollars contribute significantly to the country's current economic crisis. Why is Pakistan unable to effectively eradicate such heinous acts that undermine the country's security when everyone is aware that Afghan mafias and their local counterparts are responsible for smuggling, drug trafficking, and sectarian violence? Recent NSC meetings have resolved to address Afghanistan-specific issues, but there has been no respite. It is a stark reality that cannot be tolerated that security agencies and other state actors failed to prevent TTP attacks on Pakistan.

The state apparatus's inability to deal with the growing incidents of terrorism and smuggling suggests the presence of powerful individuals within our ranks who refuse to implement a zero-tolerance policy against those who are using Pakistani soil to destabilize Afghanistan.

There are three primary reasons why the National Security Policy against TTP, terrorism, and Afghanistan will not be implemented.

First and foremost, the lack of space in policy implementation to address the aforementioned issues. This policy void is largely attributable to state actors' appeasement policy toward TTP. A policy of engaging in dialogue with the TTP, which has been banned and is involved in heinous acts of terrorism in Pakistan, is inconsistent in both policy and practice. Even when the TTP is responsible for a terrorist attack in Pakistan, there are elements that call for a gentle approach toward the criminal gang that is responsible for killing Pakistanis. The policy void in the fight against religious and ethnic terrorism is evident: The state has a reputation for being tactless when it comes to dealing with the TTP, but it is using full force against Pashtun and Baloch nationalist groups. Regarding national security, there will continue to be a question mark unless this contradiction is resolved.

Second, the country's unrelenting political crisis and economic collapse also make room for extremism, militancy, violence, and terrorism. Using the TTP, the Baloch, and other terrorist and nationalist groups, there are external forces bent on maximizing their vested interests by taking advantage of political and economic vulnerabilities. Political and economic crises deepen vacuum in the national security apparatus. Pakistan's economic and political predicament was also discussed at the NSC meeting on January 2, but it is essential to link it to the country's growing extremism and terrorism. It is true that a nation's chances of effectively combating terrorism and extremism improve if it is politically stable, economically strong, and socially cohesive. Is Pakistan's society and state capable of concentrating on addressing political fragmentation and economic collapse in order to effectively combat terrorism? Why are elements with a soft spot for the TTP allowed to function when the TTP has made it clear that it wants to impose its own version of sharia and does not recognize Pakistan's constitution? Pakistan's policy of appeasing and giving space to groups that deny the country's existence casts doubt on the country's reputation as a normal state.

Thirdly, if non-seriousness, non-professionalism, and ad hocism in dealing with issues that exacerbate Pakistan's political instability, economic crisis, and security predicament continue, it will be impossible to meet the challenges of Afghanistan policy implementation and national security. Threats from the TTP cannot be eliminated, and neither can political or economic normalcy, unless meetings are held. In addition, the custodians of this nation, who are required to call and attend meetings from time to time, lack clarity, coherence, and consistency in all aspects of national security, not just when it comes to dealing with terrorism. absence of attention to human security concerns, such as extreme poverty; a rise in unemployment inadequate facilities for education and healthcare; inadequate housing; those who are attending the NSC meeting have reported not having access to safe drinking water, among other things. One cannot expect the nation to feel secure unless the majority of the population, at the grassroots level, is better off.

While the general public is at the mercy of criminals, terrorists, and thugs who are above the law, those who claim to be custodians of national security cannot move in public without adequate security. NSC meetings will have no effect on dealing with TTP, Afghan Taliban, and Baloch nationalist groups, as well as economic and political crises, unless these issues are effectively managed.