Like every other country Pakistan needs a strong army capable of safeguarding its geographical frontiers. But equally important for defence is foreign policy, economy and social development. The adage that an army fights on its stomach underlines that an economically backward country cannot have a strong defence. Equally important is social development; for with the poverty graph rising, a dissatisfied population tends to become cynical about vital issues. Pakistan’s security paradigm is unrealistic as it puts total stress on military means. It has estranged neighbours and led to social and economic backwardness. It has an unenviable position where the country can develop sophisticated missile systems and retain a big nuclear arsenal but is incapable of generating enough power, running its trains and airlines or dealing with natural disasters.
Pakistan has no doubt serious disputes with India which need to be resolved. So have China and Bangladesh. While keeping the disputes alive, both have maintained economic ties with India and the mutual trade has continued to increase. Not so in the case of Pakistan where the public was told that better economic ties leading to the expansion of economic opportunities would create a lobby in Pakistan soft on India. A new cause for confrontation has been added now to the list of disputes. It is maintained that with Indian influence growing in Afghanistan, it would turn Kabul into a hostile neighbour. Many think that with trade expanding with India and Afghanistan after removing unrealistic restrictions, and Pakistan serving as a vital link with Central Asia, dependencies would be created forcing India and Afghanistan to seek better ties with Pakistan.
As the outcome of the Ankara tripartite summit indicates, Afghanistan’s suspicions about Pakistan continue unabated. Agreed that Pakistan must not yield to Washington’s diktat but it badly needs the US help. As the Water Conference in Islamabad shows, the US can help fund dams in Pakistan and provide crucial help in persuading international banks to extend loans for their construction. Our policy regarding the terrorist networks however stands in the way. There is a dire need to review the current concepts about strengthening the country’s defence.
