The Geopolitical Challenges to Pakistan's National Security


The Civil Dimension

According to investigative journalist Steve Coll’s article in the New Yorker, India, and Pakistan, after intensive track II diplomacy, had very nearly reached an agreement that would have demilitarized Jammu & Kashmir. The proposed agreement called for the creation of an autonomous region in which residents could move freely and conduct trade on both sides of the territorial boundary. Over time, the border would become irrelevant, and declining violence would allow a gradual withdrawal of tens of thousands of troops that now face one another across the region's mountain passes. The stillborn plan was the only feasible solution to the complex Kashmir problem. Pending a just solution to the J&K dispute, Pakistan needs to build up international pressure against India and utilize UN resolutions wherever possible. 

 Pakistan should continue to work with the US, Russia, and China, the three major strategic players, for pulling Afghanistan out of its present isolation and using its influence with the Taliban to open up the Afghan society. 

If, in the past, Pakistan's airspace could be provided for the US military operations in Afghanistan, why cannot a land route be provided to India for its trade with Afghanistan? As an incentive to India and Afghanistan, Pakistan should link the transit trade through its territory to 1) A win-win solution to the Jammu &Kashmir dispute with India; 2) Recognition of the Durand Line as the International border by Afghanistan. 

 Once a comprehensive  Afghanistan -Pakistan- India agreement on the regional disputes and issues is reached, Pakistan and China should invite the US and India to join the CPEC by removing the US sensitivities and India's concerns about it. 

 The Arab-Israel dispute is a thing of the past. The Arab countries have ended their more than half a century old boycott of Israel. Pakistan should take a realistic view of its geopolitical environment and revisit its policy on Israel. Why is it imperative for Pakistan to initiate a dialogue with Israel?



 There are four reasons for it:-

1. India, Pakistan's archenemy, has a strategic relationship with Israel. The relationship allows India access to the cutting-edge Israeli military technologies purloined from the United States.

2. The recent US warming-up to India, and the resultant US resentment against    Pakistan, is a function of the Indo- Israeli strategic paradigm.

3. In the not-too-distant future, Pakistan will need Israel to deal with the threat from   Iran. In this regard, there is greater convergence of aims between Pakistan and   Israel than between India and Israel. After all, there is also an Indo – Iranian strategic relationship.

4. Apart from clichés, Pakistan will be better poised to help the Palestinians if it has diplomatic relations with Israel.

Therefore, Pakistan should consider establishing diplomatic relations with Israel to 1) Dilute the Indo-Israeli strategic relationship; 2) Counterbalance the Indo-Iranian strategic relationship.

The Military Dimension

Do not provoke an armed confrontation with India. Nevertheless, keep the powder dry. Be prepared all the time to take on India if it threatens military action across the LOC, Working Boundary, and the international border.  Pakistan Army is holding the LoC with force and determination. Pakistan's strategy, it appears, is to let the Indian Army fight and remain embroiled with the Kashmiri freedom fighters. 

 We should have a proactive military response along the western border with Iran and Afghanistan, based on forceful retaliation. Pakistan is not in a position to declare Afghan and Iranian territories close to the international border as its Security Zones. However, it can interdict the insurgents operating from these territories through drones and artillery fire. This will be a calculated risk that Pakistan will have to take, sooner or later.

Saleem Akhtar Malik

1 February 2022

References:

1.      Bazaz, S. (2009). Greater Ladakh vs Union Territory. Greater Kashmir. Retrieved from www.greaterkashmir.com.

2.      Col,S.(2009). The Back Channel- India and Pakistan’s Secret Kashmir Talks. The New Yorker.

3.      Dashti, N. (2007). The Baloch and Balochistan: A Historical Account from the Beginning to the Fall of the Baloch State. Trafford Publishing. p. 280.

4.      Habitat (2012). HFH Sri Lanka to Build 100 homes in war-torn north-east in partnership with International Indian Film Academy.retrieved from www.habitat.org.

5.      Hathaway, M. (2014). The “strategic partnership” between India and Iran. Woodrow Wilson Centre.

6.      Nicholas, S. (2007). "Waiting for the prosperity: Baluchistan, 2006".Virginia Quarterly Review.

7.      PTI. (2014).Pakistan funding terrorism in India, sheltering underworld don Dawood Ibrahim: Rajnath Singh. Indian Express.Retrieved from www.indianexpress.com.

8.      Raman, B. (2012). The Kao Boys of R&AW: Down Memory Lane. Lancer Publishers.

9.      Rajnath, A. (2004). BJP used underworld for terrorism in Pakistan, Indian officials admit. SouthAsian Tribune.Retrieved from www, southasiatribune.com.

10.  Siddiqui, F.H. (2012). The Politics of Ethnicity in Pakistan: The Baloch, Sindhi and Mohajir Ethnic Movements

 

 

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