High-level security meeting

Pakistan has been facing severe threats from the very inception. The inflow of millions of refugees, the annexation of princely states and especially of Kashmir, the division of assets, economic problems and lack of leadership after the death of Quaid-E-Azam can be called as some of the major problems we were facing from the very start. These problems were still not solved when we had to face a big period of having no constitution, extending over 11 years. These were some of the major threats to our national security and sovereignty at that time.

These threats were further aggravated with the imposition of Martial laws and then the breakup of Pakistan into two pieces.  The Martial Law of General Zia Ul Haq proved to be another stab in the back of Pakistan. The participation of Pakistan in Afghan Jihad along with the period of political and economic uncertainty had severe repercussions for our country. The horrific attacks of 9/11 and the U-turn of Pakistan’s foreign policy in wake of American attack on Afghanistan brought some serious consequences for Pakistan  Suicide blasts, American drone attacks and killing of our civilians and soldiers became a daily routine, which not only hampered our economic growth but severely undermined our security.

Today Pakistan is still facing serious threats not only from external factors but from internal actors as well. We can see a big proxy war going on in our country and in the whole region. Internal terrorist organizations are working for their own vested interests with the full support of foreign backers.

TTP and some other religious extremist organizations have caused havoc in our daily life through suicide bombings. These organizations have joined hands with some sectarian organizations in the heartland of Punjab and Balochistan and now the consequences are in front of us in the shape of terrorist attacks in Shah Noorani Darbar and Quetta Police Training Academy. ISIS is another emerging threat in the region and especially on the Af-Pak border where they have made some inroads into local militants. Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, and Achin are now some of their strong bases in this region.

We are also facing many problems from our external fronts in the shape of India which is constantly violating our sovereignty by not only firing and shelling at our border areas but also by supporting terrorist proxies inside our country. Recent drama of surgical attack in the wake of URI attack and then their diplomatic adventure to isolate Pakistan has fire-backed but still, they are doing their best to destabilize our country on all fronts mainly security and economy. This is evident from their reactions after the inauguration of CPEC and their tactics to sabotage CPEC by supporting Baloch separatists and sectarian terrorists.

Another major threat is the sectarian friction we are facing in our country. Pakistan is a Sunni majority country with a massive population of Shias. Before the Iranian revolution and Afghan Jihad, there was a complete harmony but that has changed over years. Now the tussle of Shia Iran and Salafi Saudi Arabia is reflected in our own domestic sectarian tensions. This is evident from the recent sectarian violence in Karachi.

The American presence in Afghanistan and the civil war like situation in that country is another major security threat for Pakistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan have a long porous border of 2450 km which is a big security challenge for us. The major threat that is arising from Afghanistan is the presence of Indian intelligence in Afghanistan and their widespread consulates along the Af-Pak border. They are supporting terrorist organizations with finances and arms to carry out subversive activities in Pakistan.

Apart from the above-discussed threats their many other major threats to our national sovereignty such as Economic disparity, Corrupt leadership, the tussle between different pillars of the state, political confrontation and the list goes on. We need to tackle them carefully in order to make Pakistan a prosperous country.