Apt handling of national security – II

Our armed forces and intelligence agencies have become more hardened today than they were ever before in the conduct of Low Intensity Conflict (LIC). However, over the past decade, the non-state actors too have got themselves equipped with new techniques in target acquisition, communication and intelligence system, fighting skills and logistics as well as human resource innovations.

The western border activation, coupled with brazen attacks on the very sensitive and well-guarded installations have not only put us in a dilemma of two-front scenarios but also committed our security agencies to the reverse slope at the cost of relegating the priority of Eastern conventional front.

It is indeed a Catch-22 situation with catastrophic consequences. There is a dire need to get out of this situation as early as possible by initiating a dialogue process with the insurgents without pre-conditions and develop a broad national consensus in rooting out the menace of violence irrespective of any political, ethnic and religious reservation. Empowering and mainstreaming the people of FATA, solving the problems of the people of Balochistan and Karachi shall occupy the central stage in the internal conflict resolution.

The research and development wing and defence production division need to be geared up to adopt a three-pronged strategy to achieve maximum indigenization, upgradation to third generation technology and corporate management (civil-military collaboration) of the existing defence industrial infrastructure. Diversification of the foreign sources with transfer of technology, outsourcing the cost-prohibitive production/maintenance system to the local firms and standardisation of weapon/equipment will not only enhance our logistic stamina but also broaden the defence oriented industrial infrastructure.

Maximum restraint should be exercised in the use of military instrument. The military employment in aid of civil power should be for a limited period with surgical mission to soften the target enough till the threat gets subdued to a level to be handled by civilians. It is possible once capacity building of Paramilitary forces is done to meet the internal threats effectively with the co-operation of all intelligence agencies. Meanwhile the mode of conventional battle deployment and operational conduct should be changed into unconventional technique to reduce the collateral damages. Targeted operations against the hard-core foreign sponsored elements shall remain part of the deterrence and firm resolve till peace prevail in all its manifestations.

De-escalation in the war on terror by facilitating the occupation forces a safe exit and earning goodwill of all parties involved in the Afghan conflict be given priority. A graduated and calibrated response to the regional geo-strategic developments in the pursuit of peace and stability shall provide us with a stable platform to project our relevance. It must be coupled with the unfolding of an exit strategy with defined time lines for troops deployed in FATA. While doing so a well thoughtout dialogue and development strategy be put into motion in order to win the hearts and minds of the people of FATA. There is urgent need for rehabilitation of all IDPs through a massive aid programme and provision of greater employment opportunities to the youth of FATA and Balochistan, both within the country and abroad. Credibility and visibility should be the hallmarks of this wholesome rehabilitation process.

Drone attacks are a blatant and very visible manifestation of our lackey foreign policy. This blatant violation of our sovereignty must be put on check through an aggressive diplomacy and if need be potent active counter measures be mobilised.

Let the policy of mutual co-existence be followed at home and abroad. The policy of confrontation be relegated and good neighbourly relations based on equality and dialogue be promoted. The policy of appeasement be also shunned with a firm resolve to remain independent and consistent while pursuing our national interests. Development and economic progress shall be kept in focus in the conduct of international relations and economic co-operation. A sound economic base is an important element of national power potentials.

A soft and deliberate screening of all foreign NGOs, contractors and foreign sponsored companies to reduce their ingress into our security interests and social values should be carried out on an emergency basis. Return of Afghan refugees and illegal immigrants to their native countries be ensured through a phased programme in collaboration with UNHCR. Across the board deweaponisation and cancellation of all the licenses of automatic weapons except pistol/revolver, shot gun and sports guns be done to reduce targeted killings, extortion and abduction for ransom.

The woes and grievances of small federating units be addressed by judicious distribution of resources and extension of maximum provincial autonomy. Recarving the federating units to create additional viable units, including FATA, to be more efficiently and locally administered. Empowering the people of FATA during the transition road map will help in mainstreaming FATA. Let us be realistic and cognitive of the fact that there is a growing demand, getting mass on popularity graph for the creation of more provinces. Holding of a referendum on the question of creating more federating units is after all one of the constitutional options in a democratic dispensation.

Policy focus on social justice, elimination of VIP culture, discretionary powers, and ostentatious living by the state functionaries with stringent measures to ensure austerity, merit, social justice and welfare must be the foremost priority of the newly-elected political dispensation. The institutions of ombudsman, NAB, PAC and the local Jirga system be made more potent in addressing the grievances of common people.

All signs, lingo, literature, sermons and demonstrations encroaching on the feelings and sentiments of other sects and ethnic entities be banned and removed from all places of public and private concern. Policy consensus be achieved on the ethnic, sectarian and religious bondage and harmony. Ultra liberals, religious and ethnic extremists be treated at par as hate mongers. Enough is enough with class-based education. It is inculcating the feelings of apartheid education system among the younger generation.

Adulteration in drugs, food items, extra judicial killings, forced labour and dacoity/robbery, hoarding, extortion, abduction for ransom and above all corruption be equated with terrorism and tried in special speedy summary courts. Fair trial bill be extended to these areas of national malice.

Evolve a media policy to reinforce confidence in national institutions and a code of conduct to respect the individual rights and remove the misperception regarding Islam and Pakistan. The policy be in essence representative of all the peoples of the federation. The media may carry out a self-appraisal through a counsel of objective journalism to reduce confusion, and oft repeated tirades of big mouths with little essence and value to general public. Patience and tolerance shall be the central theme to be practiced, demonstrated, preserved, valued and infused in all and sundry through a mass media campaign.

Political and electoral reforms are long due and its framing with potent implementation mechanism is a burning issue. The future political dispensation and its legislative body should evolve a transparent mechanism to put a firm check on turncoats, remnants and supporters of dictators. The number of ministers, advisors and state ministers be reduced to 10 per cent of the legislative body both at federal and provincial level. Development funds, permits, plots, waiver/write off loans and quota allotment to the legislative members are the main causes of corruption, political manipulation and malpractices. Let legislation, and passing of finance bills be their sole responsibility.

Ostentatious livings, import of grand luxury items, beg and borrow and extravaganzas should be discouraged to the hate level. Transparency and serving the vital national interest should be the rider clauses of our policy parameters. There should be a bench mark for foreign and domestic loans which can only be crossed during financial emergencies and with the approval of both the houses of parliament.

The sick national mega projects/organisations like PIA, Pakistan Railways, Wapda, SNGPL and Steel Mill like rejuvenated through technical experts and kept out of the political influence. Turning around of these projects into profitable institutions shall improve the financial health of the country. Energy crisis is crippling our manufacturing, production, health, education and economic potential besides aggravating social sufferings. Energy and water management emergency be declared to ensure the cheap availability of these commodities to all sectors of consumption. The river water issue with India should be put on fast track before it becomes the question of survival and military confrontation.

The list of national power potentials in the context of defence and security is long, but the above deliberated upon; deserve priority handling at the hands of future political dispensation. The internal security dynamics are grave, complex and intricately woven into an invisible web-net lurking for our sovereignty. The next couple of years will shape the future mosaic of the region and the viability of Pakistan as an independent sovereign state. Statecraft, diplomacy, domestic reforms and security parameters are to be revisited and reshaped to meet the challenges of the present and future and obviate the chances of collapse.

The newly-elected political dispensation be prepared to be in unison with all the state organs in facing the challenges, reconciliation and conflict resolution. The Pakistani youth, the large slice of the demographic pie will be the deciding element in the election of the new legislation body, therefore their aspirations if not met will lead to dangerous consequences. The existential threat is looming large, it may swing in any direction therefore there is a need to steer it in the right direction; else the ship may go at the disposal of the deep sea. An all-weather captain and seasoned crew can steer it out of the troubled waters.

(Concluded)

(The writer is a retired brigadier of Pakistan Army and senior associate, Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad)