Rethinking national security          Author – Zahid Hussain

For years, we’ve been obsessed with building up our military muscle, flexing our might every time there’s tension with India, and yet we’ve turned a blind eye to the slow rot eating away at our foundations. What’s the point of having nukes and jets if nearly half our population lives in poverty, if 23 million kids are out of school, and if more than 65% of people in Balochistan’s vulnerable districts are living in makeshift homes? I couldn’t shake the irony while we claim to be securing the nation, the real threat is imploding from within. The article pulls no punches, showing how extractive institutions, elite capture, and regional inequality are hollowing out the very core of our national security.

What really got under my skin was how little has changed despite two decades of fighting militancy. We’ve been beating the same drum, a kinetic operation without addressing the root causes like lack of healthcare, education, political rights, or even basic dignity for millions. And then we act surprised when insurgency persists. The article lays it out plain and simple: Pakistan’s national security strategy is stuck in the past. We’re guarding the walls while the foundation is cracking. If we don’t reboot our priorities, this powder keg of social injustice, economic stagnation, and population explosion is going to blow. Being a nuclear state might protect us from foreign enemies, but it won’t save us from our own collapse.

Overview:

The article critically explores the need to redefine Pakistan’s national security paradigm by shifting the focus from traditional military defense to socioeconomic development. It highlights how internal Weaknesses such as poverty, regional disparities, and failed human development pose a more imminent threat than any foreign power. Through hard facts and examples, it argues that the over-reliance on kinetic force in insurgency-hit areas like Balochistan and former FATA has failed because the root causes remain unaddressed. It calls for a shift toward inclusive governance, equitable development, and investment in health, education, and political rights.

NOTES:

The article provides in depth analysis of Pakistan’s outdated national security approach, emphasizing that internal threats like poverty, illiteracy, regional disparities, and poor public service delivery are far more dangerous than any external enemy. It highlights how extractive institutions and elite capture have led to mass disenfranchisement, especially in areas like Balochistan and former FATA, where over-reliance on military operations has done little to address the grievances of the local population. Despite fighting militancy for decades, the root causes such as lack of education, healthcare, jobs, and political inclusion remain untouched. The article underlines the urgent need to reallocate resources from defense to human development, pointing to alarming statistics such as 23 million out-of-school children, 45% of the population living below the poverty line, and only 1% of GDP spent on health and education. It calls for a reimagined security paradigm that includes social justice, inclusive governance, and economic equity as cornerstones of long-term national stability.

CSS Syllabus Relevance:

• Pakistan Affairs: Regional inequalities, insurgency in Balochistan and KP, population explosion, national integration
• Governance & Public Administration: Elite capture, extractive vs. inclusive institutions, public service delivery
• Current Affairs: Human Development Index, education crisis, economic vulnerabilities
• Essay Paper: Redefining national security, social justice as state stability, population and governance crisis

Notes for Beginners:

This article says that while Pakistan has a strong army, it is still a weak country because most of its people are poor, uneducated, and don’t even have clean water or toilets. For example, in Balochistan, many people live in tents and kids walk over 30 kilometers to reach a clinic. The government keeps using force to control these areas instead of giving people schools, jobs, and rights. Just like fixing a broken roof won’t help if the walls are collapsing, focusing only on defense won’t help if our people are suffering. The article says we must fix education, health, and the economy to really make Pakistan strong.

Facts and Figures:

• Pakistan ranks 168th out of 193 on the UN Human Development Index
• Over 23 million children are out of school
• Around 45% of the population lives below the poverty line
• 65% in Balochistan’s vulnerable districts live in makeshift homes
• Only 1% of GDP is spent on education and health combined
• Population grows at 2.5% annually, projected to hit 320 million by 2040

To sum up, it is the alarming piece of writing that forces us to ask the hard questions about where we’re headed as a nation. If we continue pouring all our resources into defense while ignoring the rot in our economy, education, and institutions, we’re basically setting the stage for our own downfall. A nuclear arsenal won’t protect a starving, angry, and disenfranchised population. It’s time to change gears and think of national security not just in terms of borders and bombs but in terms of dignity, justice, and opportunity for every citizen. That’s the only way to prevent a slow-motion collapse.