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 for 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 the warm waters of the Arabian Sea for global trade could be a big geo-economic advantage but due to the prevailing geopolitical situation in the region, Pakistan is yet to materialise this potential.
If we look at the ensuing geopolitical great game in the region in the context of Pakistan’s foreign policy, there is the added apprehension of the 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. Meanwhile, on the other side, being a deep seaport at the mouth of the world’s energy corridor, Gwadar makes Pakistan relevant to the 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 per cent), Pashtun (15.4 per cent), Sindhi (14.1 per cent), and Saraiki (8.4 per cent), Muhajir (7.6 per cent) and Baloch (3.6 per cent). There are over 60 languages spoken in Pakistan. 96.5 per cent of the population is Muslim (Sunni 85-90 per cent, Shia 10-15per cent), and other religious minorities include Christian and Hindus (3.5 per cent). Being a young nation ageing 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, and sectarianism.
Being a deep seaport at the mouth of the world’s energy corridor, Gwadar makes Pakistan relevant to the future strategy and interests of the world powers.
Whereas, since the beginning, Pakistan has continuously faced an existential threat from India forcing Pakistan to spend on its security impacting national resources and making sometimes unnatural alliances. 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 in 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 the international level. There are various propaganda patterns to change the global perception of Pakistan.
Several organised 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, and sensitive and emotional content are being utilised to mislead and misguide the public at the national and international levels 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 favourite tourist 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 into a weakness by hostile states in varying time frames.
Pakistan is antagonising 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, and artists, maintaining one of the best-armed forces, and war aces to becoming the only Muslim nuclear-armed nation is by no means feats to be brushed away.
It will not be wrong if we say that being in 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 interstate relations within the region. Yet, there is a need to strategise, strengthen, and synergise its policies to counter most of the challenges, no matter, either balanced foreign policy, economic crisis or to counter digital challenges. Pakistan should promote its narrative first.
The writer is PhD Scholar from QAU, has worked as Policy Consultant in NSD, PMO and is currently working at IPRI as Policy Consultant. She tweets @NoureenAkhtar16.