One nation, one policy
The formulation and approval of a first-ever National Security Policy is a feather in the cap for the ruling dispensation. It is, indeed, a collective achievement of all stakeholders, especially the armed forces. The point that it is citizen-centric in essence, and the people of Pakistan are at the nuclei of any future policy-making, in any of the national walks of life, makes it all the more productive and heart-warming. The fact that the commoners’ interest in terms of economic and social mobility has been recognised as a cornerstone is a major step towards erecting a welfare state.
The National Security Committee, the state’s top-most decision-making body for coordinating issues pertaining to national security, has done a commendable job. It is hoped that the five-year plan (2022-26) will further nationalism, and come up with practical solutions in all walks of life, including defence, foreign and economic decision-making. The federal cabinet’s nod on Tuesday has got it going, and it is hoped that Pakistan too will emulate the developing countries who had marshalled tailor-made policy prescriptions to evolve congeniality of thoughts, mobilisation of resources and development at par for nation-building. South Korea, Japan, Germany, France, Argentina and South Africa had passed such litmus tests and have come out of abject submissiveness. We too stand a chance to excel on the virtues of a consensual policy and absolute resilience.
It is more important that the policy is made public, and the organs of state, especially parliament, judiciary and media act as eyes and ears towards its implementation. This is the second comprehensive national strategy after the National Action Plan, formulated in the wake of terrorist acts in the country on the heels of military operation, Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad. But it is ironic that some of its fine points, especially pertaining to financial torpedoes, are still in limbo. This is the result that the country is under the scanner of FATF and other donor-pinched irrational demands. This sanctioning of the country by lenders and financial regulators is unacceptable, and is merely owing to inherent flaws in our policy-making. It is tantamount to compromising sovereignty. The bottom line is policy is always a means to an end, and the conviction behind it matters at the end of the day.
It’s high time for Pakistan to bring in more coherence in its policies, and get resources generated, mobilised and disbursed for evolving human security. At a juncture when radicalism is raising its ugly head, and larger segments are behaving more and more intolerant, this aspect of social turbulence is in need of being addressed comprehensively. Commonality of interests and reaching out to the populace in far-flung areas is a must, and this is how people-centric policies can triumph.
The Soviet Union’s debacle and disintegration, despite exemplary military muscles, should be a case study. Whereas, China believed in disbursing its resources for collective good and has churned wonders as an emerging superpower. Likewise, Pakistan’s tangibles are its enterprising 220 million people, a youth bulge of 100 million, its geography and abundant natural resources. The strategic shift from geopolitics to geo-economics makes this new policy premise more relevant and confirmative. While the new policy addresses both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, tapping them with synchronised sincerity will certainly reap dividends.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2021.
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