Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the first-ever Pakistan National Security Policy (NSP) 2022-2026 on January 14, 2022. The ‘all-encompassing, multidimensional’ document articulates a ‘citizen-centric framework, and places economic security at its core’, to secure an economically resilient Pakistan.
The document claims that Pakistan’s national security interests would be best served by placing economic security as the core element of national security. NSP is said to be a ‘guiding document’ and aspirational in some respects. Framed after seven years of analysis and consultations, the policy document is expected to continue evolving.
Prior to its launch, there were indications in Pakistan’s media about the country’s desire to make peace with India and other immediate neighbours, leaving the door open for trade with India even without the settlement of the Kashmir issue – provided there is progress in bilateral talks. A Pakistani paper reported that peace with immediate neighbours and economic diplomacy will be the central theme of Pakistan’s foreign policy under the new National Security Policy. An official was quoted as saying, on condition of anonymity that Pakistan is “not seeking hostility with India for the next 100 years. The new policy seeks peace with immediate neighbours”.
This positive sounding quote set the tone for the coverage of the document prior to its launch. A quick perusal of the text made public, belied these positive projections. Whether it was in the context of connectivity or Jammu and Kashmir or the ruling dispensation in India, the tone and substance of the document could only be aimed at enmity rather than friendship.
In the context of connectivity, NSP highlighted the significance of westward connectivity, especially in the context of Afghanistan, “given that eastward connectivity is held hostage to India’s regressive approach”. On bilateral ties, it said that they have been “stymied as a consequence of the unresolved Kashmir dispute and India’s hegemonic designs”. The para on Jammu and Kashmir refers to continued “human rights abuses and oppression through war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocidal acts” in “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)”. It also voices concern about India’s Hindutva-driven politics, amidst other decidedly unfriendly references. Nowhere in the document could the spirit of the unnamed official’s claim of Pakistan’s friendly approach to India could be discerned.
While making an indirect reference to the removal of article 370 and the consequent changes to J&K, the NSP fails to acknowledge the underhand game that Pakistan has played over the years in absorbing Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Gillgit Baltistan. In keeping with past practice, Pakistan makes a reference to the UN resolutions on Kashmir while completely overlooking that Pakistan itself was never ready to implement the very first clause of the resolution that called for the withdrawal of Pakistani forces and all those who were not normally resident in Kashmir.
NSP glorifies the need to develop human security, that ensures the safety, security, dignity, and prosperity of its people, but the publicly available text ignores the role of terrorist groups flourishing on Pakistani soil. Nor does it outline the measures it will take to satisfy the demands of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which continues to keep Pakistan on its grey list. The FATF is a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog that lays down international standards with an objective to prevent such activities. The FATF is expected to review Pakistan’s performance on its recommendations in Feb-March this year. This grim scenario is glossed over by the NSP in a grandiose, if delusional, statement claiming that “Pakistan has been acknowledged globally for taking positive strides towards creating a strong financial monitoring system to prevent terror financing”.
Pakistan’s economy has been in dire straits for sometime now. It’s policy of giving economic stimulus had to be abandoned in the face of runaway inflation, falling value of its currency, mounting debt, downward trends in economic indicators and overheating of the fragile economy. Towards the end of last year, it was already negotiating a $6 billion bailout package with the IMF. This is separate from the $4.2 billion in cash assistance pledged by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pakistan is also dependent on loans from China needed for completing power-sector projects that are part of the $62 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Pakistan needs to take an honest look at its failures and make a genuine effort to respond to the friendly gestures extended by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right at the start of his tenure in office. The Pakistani people deserve a sincere effort from their government to bring development and prosperity to their country. Only then can the talents of its people be truly harnessed.
