How to unleash a strategic thought process?

The absence of a strategic thought process to deal with issues of human survival is reflected in the 7^th January crisis in Murree that resulted in a human tragedy as well as the shortages of urea, wheat, sugar, medicine, electricity and gas. A country’s leadership can only secure its goals by unleashing a strategic thought process with clarity, vision, hard work, intelligence and integrity.

A strategic thought process is a mechanism for seeking economic vibrancy, viable political process, good governance, rule of law, justice system, human security, and country’s sovereignty along with territorial integrity. When those at the helm of affairs are clear in putting the country on the right track, it means unleashing a strategic thought process. Strategic thinking is central to the strategic thought process, which comes with critical thinking and analytical reasoning. Strategic thinking is a wholesome approach to dealing with a crisis based on planning, reasoning, clarity and vision.

How can a strategic thought process be unleashed and what are the major requirements for it? Why is a strategic culture of the country central to formulating a strategic thought process? What are the impediments to setting the pros and cons of strategic thought process and how can such obstacles be removed? The Chinese proverb by Lao Tzu that “a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step” reflects a strategic thought process in which leadership qualities essential for nation-building are articulated. China’s emergence as the world’s second biggest economic power in two generations was made possible because of the strategic thinking of successive Chinese leaders. Based on a non-conventional approach in governance and nation-building, strategic thought process reflects qualities of leadership to mobilise human and financial resources for augmenting the process of industrialisation, technological innovation, economic self-reliance, a great leap forward in education, good governance, rule of law, and justice system. Termed an uphill task, the strategic thought process cannot be unleashed by mediocre and below mediocre leadership.

The combination of an analytical approach and critical thinking is central to the strategic thought process, which focuses on identifying issues that need to be resolved so that the country is economically viable and political stable. When the Pakistani society reflects a feudal and tribal mindset with a meagre application of innovation and critical thinking, the outcome is bound to be back-to-back crises with the failure of the state to deal with critical issues. Most national tragedies have occurred because of the absence of a strategic culture and thought process. This includes the assassination of the country’s first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan on 16^th October 1951; derailing of democratic process since the early 1950s; imposition of martial law in 1958, 1969, 1977 and 1999; separation of East Pakistan and emergence of Bangladesh in 1971; Kargil crisis of the summer of 1999; Pakistan joining the Afghan Jihad; the US-led war on terror post-9/11; uncovering of global terrorist Osama Bin Laden from ‘Operation Gerimino’ of 2^nd May 2011; loss of Siachen Glacier in 1984; and Indian absorption of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. Unfortunately, no lessons were learnt, and the same old tactical and strategic errors have been made by the successive regimes.

One can figure out three major requirements for unleashing strategic thought processes in Pakistan.

First, the discipline of strategic studies needs to be established in all major universities of Pakistan. At present, it is only seen in a few universities in Islamabad, which is not sufficient to meet challenges, threats, and issues pertaining to strategic thinking and thought processes. A separate department for strategic studies focusing on matters relating to strategic culture, thinking and thought processes should be established in all major universities of Pakistan. This will help the process of research and development in the realm of strategic studies to build a strategic mindset and thought process. Along with the departments of strategic studies, policy-oriented think tanks focusing on strategic issues should also be prioritised. There are four requirements for institutional arrangements in the field of strategic studies and strategic thought processes: people, resources, programmes and policy implications. If merit is compromised and such institutions and organisations are inundated with people without calibre, one cannot expect any plausible change in the country’s security, economy, politics and issues about the environment, good governance, education, rule of law and justice system.

Second, clarity, innovation, creativity and vision, which are central pillars in strategic culture and thought process, cannot be accomplished unless a common person is also trained to think and act strategically in daily life with clarity in decision-making. A strategic mindset at the grassroots level is the need of the hour by making it part of school education so that students at primary and secondary levels are trained to meet challenges and crises. Had a strategic mindset been in practice, the tragedy of Murree could have been avoided, as people trapped in snowstorms and institutions responsible for disaster management would have acted speedily. The same is the case with other national calamities like floods, earthquakes and torrential rains which require a strategic mindset for their management. Why are the military’s services always over coping with natural disasters when it is primarily the job of civil administration? When the government lacks the skills and ability to act swiftly and efficiently to save people trapped in a snowstorm, floods, earthquakes and torrential rains, they call rangers and the military for help. In August 2020, Karachi received record rainfall because of which major parts of the city were flooded and the Sindh government was unable to cope with such an emergency. The military was requested to save people trapped in flooded localities. Even in the Karachi Transformation Plan, the military is on board, which reflects the failure of the civilian government because of the absence of a strategic mindset.

Finally, the role of religion and culture is central to establishing a strategic mindset and thought process. Muslims tend to deviate from the principles of Islam, which emphasise discipline, honesty, work ethics, hygiene and cleanliness. When there is a contradiction in theory and practice, it means erosion and decline of Muslims, which was reflected in the Murree tragedy. Merely complying with rituals and not conforming to the basic principles of Islam will further degenerate Muslims in the days to come.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2022.

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