Let’s play policy

The political leadership carries mandate of the people to formulate policies and get them approved by the parliament.


Shahzad Chaudhry June 21, 2011

You might need a map if your geography needs to be refreshed. And, of course, a pail full of commitment if you are one of those increasing numbers of Pakistanis who have of recent raised decibels by the millions lamenting that policy gets manufactured where it should not. The bigger lament is on the foreign policy and the security policy of Pakistan, since these are the two that have taken us to the cleaners in the last 60 years in the inept hands of ‘political duffers’.

But just before we launch into the game, a few facts on policy. A national security policy isn’t really a formal document, not in most democracies, unless, of course, you retain a dedicated national security adviser (NSA) with a team, who, to bide time, will develop something on those lines. But when an NSA doesn’t exist, the cumulative pronouncements of the leader at the helm in terms of his party’s manifesto or political philosophy provides that vision in most areas of governance, which permits wholesome security to become the destiny of a nation. But if there remain challenges directly impinging upon resources and those that shall need prioritisation, it is always helpful to form a comprehensive national security policy that will provide the necessary guidance to establish priorities of funding and emphasis in the conduct of governance. Pakistan does not have a national security policy; it has never had one, not even under the military leaders when they were in power. If they had had one, maybe Dhaka 1971, and today 2011 would not have happened.

Do we need a security policy? Surely, Pakistan stands the test of a typical nation that is in desperate need for a vision to climb out of a very deep hole. Who should do it? The political leadership that carries the mandate of the people to formulate policies and get them approved by the parliament. What shall it contain? The leader’s vision on the way to climb out of the hole. But in pure political terms, such a policy is needed to guide the formulation of the foreign and defence policies of Pakistan; it is also essential to prioritise the leader’s intent to strengthen the economy and other socio-political aspects of people’s lives such as education, health etc. Without such an overarching guideline, all policies that do get formed do so in a void.

Pakistan’s defence policy, too, should be formed by the government and approved by the parliament. This doesn’t happen. It is important because based on that policy, each service, including the army, will review, adjust and reform its strategy. It is equally true that a defence policy could remain unattended for long periods of time. In such cases, the military will formulate one and put it up to the executive for approval. Such approvals short-circuit discussion by the parliament but become necessary where a government will not fulfil its responsibility.

Back to the game: We need to address key issues between Pakistan and India. If you look at the map and look next to the Kutch area in the south-east, you will find a very narrow strait of water called Sir Creek. We need to demarcate this boundary between India and Pakistan. Pakistan seeks to place the boundary on the west coast of the Indian land skirting the waterbody; India wishes it to be placed on the Pakistani end. Move up into the north. Determine a GEOREFF position MJ9842. If you can’t trace it, imagine one on the Siachen glacier. India wishes the boundary to be marked due north from this point while the Pakistani position is to let the boundary run north-east along the line of the marked boundary. These are thousands upon thousands of square kilometers that are to be resolved. Are there any strategic interests involved? Not entirely, though both sides may just manufacture some.

Next week we will consider Kashmir and other aspects of this relationship. Over to the information highway in the blogosphere.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2011.

COMMENTS (27)

shahzad chaudhry | 12 years ago | Reply Mister R, for the moment lets stick to these pages before we need to move out into the open. When that happens you will get the address and the time. Though I will need your address first.
shahzad chaudhry | 12 years ago | Reply @ mind control, or are you mind controller! Whatever, you and this nation needs to be educated in the budget process. Since you will not believe me it is only appropriate for Hafeez Sheikh or one of his underlings to speak up. For the moment it is not mana. It gets approved like any penny by the single authority in the land for any penny spent - the Prime Minister. Remember, Junejo put all generals into Suzukis. I too rode a Suzuki under him. I never rode a BMW or a MERC. These are latter entrapments, and why? That remains a justified question. As for plots and all, these do not come out of the Budget or any public money if indeed you will listen. It is however a convenient tool to beat the military with without a justification. If there are those who own state land must be made to answer for themselves. A very large majority of the military including most generals do not own public liablities. But only if someone will listen.
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