The national security of a state has been defined as the ability of a state to cater for the protection and defence of its citizens. According to Kim Holmes, former US diplomat, the modern concept of national security arose in the 17th century during the 30 years’ war in Europe and the civil war in England.
National security covers areas like the economy, food, health, water, cyber, climate, military, politics and energy. National security is linked with a country’s national interest. In the book ‘The New Arthashastra’, according to Norman Paddleford and George Lincoln, “national interests are centred on core values of society which include welfare of the nation, the security of its political beliefs, national way of life, territorial integrity and its self perseverance”.
The same book, The New Arthashastra, explains the priorities of Chinese leaders for China’s security. Chairman Mao’s priority was political and security-based interests of China, whereas Deng Xiaoping shifted the emphasis on economic development. Jiang Zemin’s priority was technological and ecological security, whereas Hu Jintao promoted the concept of peaceful development.
The Indian concept of national security revolves around the philosophies given by Chanakya known as the Indian Machiavelli, who was a political mentor of Chandragupta. He wrote ‘Arthashastra’, a book on philosophies based on politics and security. He advocated that everything that protects the interest of states is justifiable irrespective of any principles or morality. He advocated territorial expansion and that a state must consider his neighbours as enemies and should never trust them. The Indians are deeply indebted to Chanakya for his philosophies; an Indian defence Journal is named ‘The Chanakya Defence Annual’.
India perceives itself as a dominant power of South Asia by reasons of its size, population, location, industrial development and military might. Pakistan, as an independent state, is responsible for safeguarding its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. India has not accepted the long Muslim rule in India, Pakistan’s support of the Kashmir cause and opposition to India’s hegemonic designs. A threatened Pakistan, right from independence, searched for security and was compelled to demonstrate her capability in May 1998 in order to establish nuclear deterrence. Today the threat passed to Pakistan’s national security is borne upon by India’s nuclear weapons as well as its conventional potentials and missiles system.
Ironically, Pakistan did not have a documented national security policy to address issues related to its security. Every country tries to ensure its national security and related aspects through a documented national policy. The aim of national security for a country like Pakistan is strengthening the security of the country to tackle all internal and external threats to ensure protection of its citizens.
In December 2021, the National Security Committee in its 36th meeting, under Prime Minister Imran Khan, approved the first National Security Policy. The National Security Committee is the top-most consultative and decision making body for coordinating issues pertaining to national security. The objectives of the national security policy are to give guidelines and a vision that Pakistan should take in pursuit of its national objectives. According to the National Security Advisor Moeed Yousuf, the policy was made after getting input from provincial governments, including GB and AJK, intellectuals from civil society and students. The five-year policy covers the period from 2022 to 2026.
The National Security Policy will guide the government’s foreign, defence, economic and decision-making policies and also the direction for the formulation of policies and strategies. The policy is a citizen-centric, comprehensive policy with economic security at the core. The National Security Policy covers all security challenges including economy, food, water, energy, climate, terrorism, population growth and relations with neighbours and important countries.
For the implementation of the National Security Policy, a plan has been developed. The policy is for five years and will be reviewed at the end of every year. The new policy will fulfil the country’s national security objectives and it is an important milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s national security.