Formulated by state officials and dubbed as the National Security Policy, the NSP is an overarching document. It describes the intent of a state for its future goals. It clarifies the risks and threats that a state is facing externally or internally and describes a state’s aims and interests in pursuing a better future by protecting and promoting national security. NSP also mentions the broader view of the future policy-making paradigm on which many other sectoral-level policies are developed and keeps in view the main intent and direction which determine the overall national security outlook. From a common Pakistani perspective, there is a need to analyze and understand its central tenets.
Pakistan launched its first NSP document on January 14, 2022. The comprehensive overarching document focuses on economic and human security aspects of the country, and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan said “The country was in dire need of a multi-pronged strategy for the future to ensure the protection of its citizens and guard economic interests.” The 62-page booklet analyzes the intent of Pakistan’s future policies and the direction it will proceed with its forward-guiding approach without previously redundant narratives such as prioritizing terrorism and traditional security. Instead, it adopts a citizen-centric approach with economic prosperity at its core.
The changing security environment has led Pakistan to focus more on its national cohesion, maintaining a balance between internal and external security threats and on top of it, the citizens of the country and human security along with food, water, gender and climate security, are also priorities. The NSP remains an evolving document and mentions two important pillars, which are human security, which focuses on the people and is aimed at empowering citizens with food, health, education and basic life to ensure safety, security and prosperity. Social welfare programs, for instance, the Ehsaas Program, and health cards fall under human security.
NSP also focuses on Pakistan’s climate goals. Under the section of human security, the NSP focuses on “a climate-resilient Pakistan that prioritizes climate adaptation, sustainable water management, and disaster preparedness.” This includes Pakistan undertaking a 10 billion tree plantation drive with a commitment to a 50 percent reduction in projected emissions by 2030. “Freeing up financial resources for climate change policy implementation, transforming water management and use, creating additional water storage capacity, and focusing on climate mitigation.” are also included, which consistently promotes the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Although the directional policy document is a great initiative that describes the changing posture of Pakistan and prioritizes citizens’ needs and security, it will not achieve its desired objectives in the absence of proper implementation mechanisms. There is also ambiguity in a few areas which warrant greater attention. In Afghanistan, there is a lack of detail on the future direction (of Pakistan) as far as ties with Afghanistan are concerned. Similarly, the future relationship with Iran barely occupies four lines in the document. On Gender Security, the NSP mentions the outlook to provide a safe environment to women and Transgenders (Intersex) in the state, yet, it does not mention the outlook for people with disabilities. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statics, 339,919 (excluding mentally retarded) people have blindness, hearing and physical disabilities and hence the government has a responsibility to engage these people for better productivity.
Challenges to the NSP which need to be addressed include inconsistency, international challenges and political instability. As the NSP has not yet been approved by the parliament, a change in government will hamper its effective implementation. Furthermore, Pakistan must solve internal challenges including the rule of law, gender inequalities, food and water shortages, natural disaster management, lack of good governance, terrorism, domestic abuse and strengthen civil institutions. By internally mopping up flaws in institutional frameworks, Pakistan can implement the NSP in letter and spirit which is critical in 2023 amid harrowing quagmires such as the economic crisis and the risk of default. The path to move forward is simple.
Looking at all the challenges, food security, water availability, health and energy security can be enhanced through multilateral economic engagements. Regional engagements such as the Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are critical in this regard. Moreover, if Pakistan does not overcome its internal security challenges, it will hinder the implementation of the economic-boost mechanism which is aimed at prosperity. Hence, first, minimizing internal challenges and keeping a sharp eye on growing external challenges, as per the current international environment can help Pakistan to grow economically.
Thirdly, the a lack of political will to implement NSP in its true essence which is essential to follow today. The continuity of the policy must be ensured for long-term sustainability as the mechanism to review the NSP exists and this, should not be overruled by changing governments in the country. Last but not least, Pakistan should invest more in disaster management than building infrastructure as it has suffered from immense natural calamities that are perilous to its economic growth.
NSP as a whole is a very holistic document and covers many national and international aspects. The first step for policy implementation has been achieved yet, many other stages need to be overcome for successful implementation. A better future for the people is possible by attaining economic, political and social prosperity which can only be achieved through policy continuity.
The author holds an M.Phil. degree in Strategic Studies from the National Defense University, Islamabad. Ms Tooba is a former researcher at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Institute of Strategic Studies, and the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. Furthermore, she is the author of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. Currently, associated with NLC as a researcher.
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