Being Pakistan isn’t easy
Noureen Akhtar
Pakistan has been a victim of its geography since its independence. It is
located in one of the most active geopolitical regions where multiple players
have been engaging each other to extend their political influence since the last
half century. Unfortunately, most of the geopolitical challenges Pakistan is
facing today are not of its own making. Pakistan’s geographic and geostrategic
importance in the region is well established now but at the same time, this
geography has also ushered lots of foreign policy and national strategy
challenges for the state.
Being the gateway for Central Asia and land-locked Afghanistan to warm waters of
the Arabian Sea for global trade could be a big geo-economic advantage but due
to the prevailing geo-political situation in the region, Pakistan is yet to
materialize this potential.
If we look at the ensuing geopolitical great game in the region in context of
Pakistan’s foreign policy, on one hand there is the added apprehension of US and
west towards China, troubled Afghanistan trying to survive after WOT with vested
interests of various states, Pakistan-India rivalry due to territorial disputes
including Indian illegally occupied Kashmir, water dispute, history of armed
conflicts, and mistrust with Iran remain big challenges for the state while on
the other side, Gwadar, being a deep seaport, at the mouth of the world’s energy
corridor makes Pakistan relevant to future strategy and interests of the world
powers.
If we just look into Pakistan internally, it has six major ethnic groups i.e.
Punjabi (44%), Pashtun (15.4%), Sindhi (14.1%), Saraiki (8.4%), Muhajir(7.6%)
and Baloch (3.6%). There are over 60 languages spoken in Pakistan. 96.5%
population is Muslim (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%), and other religious minorities
include Christian and Hindus (3.5%). Being a young nation aging 75 years,
sectarian and ethnic triggering by external forces and foreign funding have
polluted the national scene which is being exploited by political and religious
segments. Pakistan's social landscape started to turn worse after the Russian
invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Afghan jihad encouraged trends of militancy in
Pakistan and led to the proliferation of some religious seminaries. Some of
these religious seminaries were involved in spreading religious extremism,
sectarianism.
Whereas, since the beginning, Pakistan has continuously faced an existential
threat from India forcing Pakistan to spend on its security impacting national
resources and make sometimes un-natural alliances. With three major wars with
India and numerous scuffles and armed escalations, and the breakup of East
Pakistan into Bangladesh as a result of Indian conspiracy proved the initial
perception of existential threat a harsh reality.
Since 1980, Pakistan has been trapped into the middle of hybrid warfare as it is
clear from its meaning; hybrid warfare is not a direct war but an amalgamation
of irregular strategies, media propaganda, fake news and disinformation. There
is a deliberate propaganda campaign against Pakistan at international level.
There are various propaganda patterns to change the global perception about
Pakistan.
Several organized media campaigns have been launched regionally and
internationally to create anxiety, anger and fear against Pakistan. There are
innumerable implications of these propaganda campaigns, which not only make a
fuss of Pakistan’s image but also stimulate further challenges for Pakistan. In
the age of digital politics, fake news, sensitive and emotional contents are
being utilized to mislead and misguide the public at national and international
level with very serious consequences for Pakistan in the long term. Western and
Indian led propaganda already against Pakistan has adversely affected its
international relations. Once, Pakistan was one of the favorite tourists’
destinations, yet during the last two decades, Pakistan has been projected as
one of the most dangerous and insecure places to visit. Foreign-sponsored media
houses are continuously portraying Pakistan's image as a declining state. All
the positives and strengths that Pakistan enjoyed have been exploited in one
form or another and transformed as a weakness by hostile states in varying time
frames.
Pakistan is antagonizing from national security to individual security, not
because of its own created reasons but from outside. Pakistan is actually caught
between ‘Devil and Deep Sea’ resulting from regional and global
geopolitics.Despite all challenges and negatives, Pakistan has shown extreme
resilience and potential par excellence. From producing world level sportsmen,
economic intellects, noble winner scientists, doctors, diplomats, artists,
maintaining one of the best armed forces, and war aces to becoming only Muslim
nuclear armed nation is by no means feats to be brushed away.
It will not be wrong if we say that being Pakistan is not easy, not every nation
has the spirit to survive in such a hostile, complex and fluid environment which
is mostly triggered externally. Despite the fact that Pakistan remains in a
geopolitical cauldron, it has been still able to carefully manage the interstate
relations within the region. Yet, there is a need to strategize, strengthen, and
synergize its policies to counter most of the challenges, no matter, either
balanced foreign policy, economics crisis or to counter digital challenges.
Pakistan should promote its narrative first.
(Author is PhD Scholar from QAU, has worked as Policy Consultant in NSD, PMO &
currently working at IPRI as Policy Consultant. She can be reached
@NoureenAkhtar16)