Pakistan - Air Marshal's Perspective

December 30, 2021

PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY

News Report

Pakistan’s top security panel on 27 Dec 21, approved its National Security Policy. It is first-of-its kind document. The policy was presented and approved at the 36th meeting of the Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and all Services Chiefs. Federal Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Defence, Information, Interior, Finance and Human Rights as well as other senior civil and military officers were also present at the NSC meet. National Security Advisor (NSA) Moeed Yusuf, presented the document.

Flavour of Pakistan’s Document With Comments

During the declaration it was stated that Pakistan was shifting to a Comprehensive National Security Framework – the ultimate purpose of it being safety, security and dignity of citizens.

Comments: Comprehensive national security framework and enhancement of comprehensive national power (CNP) is the need of the hour for all the countries to deal with future challenges.

Terming the NSP’s formulation and approval a historic moment, the prime minister noted that the policy must guide all organs of the government to ensure that their efforts are synchronised with the overall direction of the NSP.

Comments: Such policy document does provide direction to all the branches of government, to synchronise their efforts and adopt a whole of government approach towards future security challenges.

The document places “economic security at the core”. According to PMO office a stronger economy would create additional resources that would in turn be judiciously distributed to further bolster military and human security.

Comments:

For Pakistan, the revival of economy is the biggest challenge at the moment. The country cannot survive in the long run purely on Credit Card model of economy.

Mention of additional resources being distributed to Military shows the mind set and fact that military still rules the roost.

It has a “citizen-centric approach to security”. Prime Minister Khan, on the occasion, emphasised that the security of Pakistan rests in the security of its citizens.

Comments: The dissent amongst the common man against the military and the ruling political parties is increasing in Pakistan. The declaration of the policy being “citizen-centric” appears to be effort to woo the common man back.

It contains countries external as well as internal challenges.

Comments: The document essentially has to include these challenges. It will be interesting to wait and watch exactly what challenges have been listed.

It was announced that the document was finalised after several rounds of feedback consultations with all state institutions, including provincial government and the governments of so called Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Comments: No Pakistani document would be complete without the mention of K word. It would be interesting to see what the policy states about it.

Reports suggest that the policy seeks to address traditional and non-traditional threats to the country’s national security. Apart from the economic and military issues, the draft sheds light on the country’s water security as well as population growth, terrorism and foreign policy, particularly concerning the Kashmir and Afghan issues and relations with other countries in the region and beyond.

Comments: A comprehensive policy document needs to include all the possible security challenges.

The document also emphasises the need to avoid participating in bloc politics.

Comments: It is easier said than done for Pakistan. It has already become a vassal state of China. It also realises that it cannot rely on China, USA and Middle East Islamic bloc counties in the long run, as these relations are purely need based for them.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said the policy was an important milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s national security. “The comprehensive framework recognises inter linkages between various strands of national security, imperative to meet emerging challenges in [the] evolving global environment through a whole of government effort,” he said, “Pakistan’s armed forces will play their due part in achieving the vision laid out in the policy.”

Comments: Reading in between the lines it conveys that the Pakistan military supports the document and will monitor and assist its implementation so long as the military gets its share.

“We are an Islamic state and have the vision of an Islamic state. The policy will cover all aspects of diversity within that realm,” Yusuf added.

Comments: Like the K word, any Pakistani document has to have the mention of being champion of Islamic cause. However, it is selective as proven by their silence on the Uyghur Muslim’s plight.

The Process & Implementation

The NSP has been created through a whole-of-government effort over the last seven years, and included extensive consultations among federal government institutions, with all provinces, and with the academia and private sector, NSA Yusuf said at the meet. This was followed by consultations with over 600 academics, analysts, civil society members and students across Pakistan to make the policy process inclusive, he maintained.

Comments: The process has to include all the stake holders. However, there would be lot of disagreements and difference of opinions. Not with standing these the document needs to be formulated keeping national interests in mind.

However, the country’s opposition leaders have criticised the government for ignoring the Parliament while formulating the policy. Pakistan People’s Party leader Farhatullah Babar questioned the authority of a “few uniformed and non-uniformed individuals” to formulate a policy “for an impoverished nation of 220 million armed with nuclear weapons.” He said the document was never debated in the Parliament, rubbishing the government’s claim that all stakeholders were consulted.

Comments: The document should not become a tool for political gimmicks. This could be one of the reasons why such a policy document is not seeing the day light in India.

It was highlighted that a detailed implementation framework had been created through which the National Security Division would review progress in collaboration with relevant ministries and departments. PM instructed the National Security Adviser to present an implementation progress report to the NSC every month.

Comments: Implementation is as important as formulation of the policy document. It has to be Top driven initially.

Its validity is for 2022-26. “The policy is expected to be a dynamic document which will be reviewed each year and on the transition of government to help keep the National Security Policy abreast with policy priorities in a fast-changing global environment,” Moeed had said.

Comments: The document has to be dynamic, with periodic reviews to adapt to the changing challenges and environment. USA has promulgated about 17 documents in three decades.

Yusuf told media persons that while the policy draft was a classified document, a public version of it would be finalised and launched by Prime Minister Imran Khan within seven to 10 days.

Comments: Making the document in two parts (classified and open to public) makes sense and has its benefits.

Bottom Lines

The Pakistan’s National Security Document has following prominent Flavours.

Economic revival is the core issue.

Common man is being wooed.

Military rules the roost and will support implementation so long its interests are looked after.

The country continues to Harp on being Champion of Islamic cause.

Obsession with K word continues.

Question

When will India’s policy document see the day light (if at all)?

Link to Article: National Security Strategy / Policy Document

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References

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistan-rolls-out-its-first-national-security-policy/articleshow/88555694.cms

https://www.dawn.com/news/1666294

https://theprint.in/world/pakistan-approves-citizen-centric-national-security-policy/789216/

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2335842/nsc-approves-pakistans-first-ever-national-security-policy

https://www.statecraft.co.in/article/pakistan-announces-first-ever-national-security-policy

December 29, 2021December 29, 2021

Urgent Need for National Security Strategy / Policy Document

PART 1: POLICY DOCUMENT & ITS ADVANTAGES

NSS Policy Document

NSS document outlines country’s major security concerns and guideline plans to deal with them.

It is Vision of the path nation should take in pursuit of attaining national objectives.

It outlines countries power to overcome internal and external challenges and projection of comprehensive national power.

It is a plan to employ tools of national power in accordance with national policy to achieve national security objectives I support of national interests.

It guides Military and Foreign Policy.

From NSS flows the national military strategy.

Joint, air, land and maritime strategies are derived from the military strategy.

Advantages of Clearly Defined NSS Policy Document.

It provides clear direction preventing ad hocism and knee jerk reactions.

It helps in a synchronised approach by various agencies and ministries. Whole of government approach becomes easier.

It encourages proactive approach.

It provides consistency and immunity from regime change.

It helps in formulation of appropriate response policy by better coordination and analysis of complex inter-relationship between domestic and external dimensions.

It helps in dealing with internal security challenges arising out of economic, political and social issues. Helps in timely political intervention and implementation of social welfare programmes, rather than using hard power alone.

PART 2: INDIAN CONTEXT

India Does not have a Comprehensive National Security Strategy Document.

NSC was formed in 1999. Still after 22 years the NSS document has not been promulgated.

Previous Attempts

Last two decades the issue has surfaced many times in the media.

In 1999 it found a mention in the Kargil Review Committee report.

It was reported that in 2007, HQ IDS submitted a draft NSS document to NSA and PMO.

It found a mention again in 2012, in the Naresh Chandra Task Force report on security.

It was reported in 2015 that NSAB document “Building Comprehensive National Power towards Integrated NSS” has been prepared.

In 2018 it was reported again that NSAB has drafted a NSS document and it has been reviewed by the Defence Planning Committee and forwarded to defence and foreign secretory.

In 2019 Congress party asked Retired Gen DS Hooda to prepare a draft NSS document.

Possible Reasons for Non promulgation of NSS.

No Political consensus on national security issues and ways to deal with them.

No common understanding and agreement about its contents

Fear of failure and criticism.

Political games and election gimmicks.

Indian National Security Objectives

For formulation of NSS document the starting point would be listing out the National Security Objectives. These have been suggested by many think tanks, analysts and writers. The national security objectives could include the following:

Strengthening of capabilities to maintain credible deterrence.

Protect and safe guard India’s

National Sovereignty.
National Constitution and Core Values.
National Territorial Integrity.
Air, space, cyber and maritime domains.

Maintain peaceful Internal Security environment by guarding against threats to national unity and development.

Human security by protecting citizens and providing them a safe, just, equitable and prosperous climate.

Achieving Safe neighbourhood and constructive engagement with other nations.

Maintaining rightful place in the international global affairs.

PART 3: RECOMMENDATIONS

There is an urgent need to formulate and promulgate NSS document. Suggestions are as follows:

It should be a comprehensive document covering all the security concerns.

It should contain broad guidelines about ways to deal with them.

It could be very specific about certain issues while being open ended about others.

It could have two components – classified and unclassified.

It should have a short, medium and long term road map.

It should cover external and internal challenges.

It should touch regional and global issues of concern.

It should provide guidelines for multi-agency response.

It should serve as a national guiding document and not become a political tool.

Suggested Contents

Some of the suggested contents are as follows:

National security objectives.

Geopolitical and security environment (regional and global).

Security concerns related to all the tools of statecraft (DIME).

Could include following:
- External security.
- Internal security (NE, J&K, Naxalism and Terrorism)
- Economic security
- Energy security
- Food security
- Health security
- CBRN concerns
- Cyber security
- Space security
- Information security and media concerns
- Water concerns
- Environmental concerns
- Disaster management.

Military capabilities
- Deterrence value
- Multi domain capabilities to deal with future wars.
- Expeditionary capabilities.

Technology harnessing for civil and military purposes.

Structural reforms of national security apparatus.

Border management and demographic issues.

Issues related to natural resources and minerals.

Defence industry and Atmanirbharta.

The list is not comprehensive. Many more issues could be added or some of these could be left out for time being. A beginning could be made with a draft document and let it evolve over a period of time.

Titbits

USA in a period of 30 years (1987 – 2017) published 17 NSS documents. The document has been reviewed by every president and multiple times by some of them. The US document size varies from 40 to 70 Pages.

Coming Up

Pakistan’s Proposed National security policy Document.

Bottom Line

There is an urgent need for Formulation and publication of National Security Strategy / Policy document.

Question

In India can we overcome political fears and publish the document?

Suggestions and value additions are most welcome

Commodore Sujeet Samaddar (Retd) wrote about this topic in his book in 2003.

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References:

1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Strategy_(India)#:~:text=The%20National%20Security%20Strategy%20(NSS,challenge%20of%20successive%20Indian%20governments.

https://thewire.in/security/india-must-chart-out-a-national-security-strategy-for-a-changing-geopolitical-world
https://www.cprindia.org/news/need-comprehensive-national-security-strategy

November 11, 2021November 11, 2021

Lesser Known Facts: 1971 War

Pic Courtesy: Defence xp

The Indo-Pak war of 1971 was a defining moment in the history of the subcontinent, resulting in Bangladesh becoming independent. This established the progress of the Indian Armed Forces including the Army, Air Force and Navy. The war started on 3 December 1971, when the struggle for independence was going on in East Pakistan. The war ended 13 days later on 16 December with the surrender of the Pakistani Army (93,000 POWs).

Role of Kilo Flight in 1971 War

Pic Courtesy: Colours of glory

Kilo Flight is the code name for the Mukti Bahini combat aviation formation during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

It consisted of one DHC-3 Otter plane and one Alouette III helicopter.

These ac carried rocket pods and machine guns for launching hit-and-run attacks on Pakistani targets, and one DC-3 Dakota for logistical missions.

9 Bengali pilots and 58 ex PAF personnel formed the unit under the command of Group Captain A. K. Khandker in September 1971.

The aircraft were supplied by Indian Authorities and the formation was led by Squadron Leader Sultan Mahmud under the operational control of IAF base Jorhat.

The unit started training in October 1971 at Dimapur in Nagaland, and this unit was the first to launch airstrikes on Pakistani targets in East Pakistan on December 4, 1971, by attacking oil depots at Narayanganj and Chittagong.

In total the unit flew 90 sorties and 40 combat missions between December 4 and 16, 1971. After the war it formed the core of the nascent Bangladesh Air Force.

Breakdown of POWs of 1971 War

Pic Courtesy: Bharat Rakshak

India took approximately 93,000 prisoners of war that included Pakistani soldiers as well as some of their East Pakistani collaborators.

79,676 of these prisoners were uniformed personnel.

55,692 were Army.

16,354 Paramilitary.

5,296 Police.

1000 Navy.

800 Pakistan Air Force.

Remaining 13,324 prisoners were civilians – either family members of the military personnel or Bihari Razarkars.

Tibetan Heroes of the 1971 War

The highly trained Special Frontier Force (SFF), played an important role along with the Mukti Bahini, in the 1971 War.

SFF was founded in November 1962. It was also known as ‘Establishment 22’ or simply ‘Two-twos’.

In 1971, the Tibetan force was selected to conduct guerrilla warfare. The terrain was a paradise for guerilla warfare. Forests and hills, rivers, streams and lakes made many areas inaccessible. Yet there was fish and fowl in abundance to keep a guerilla force functioning independently.

In February 1971, the SFF had already started infiltrating Bangladesh along with the Mukti Bahini. It was probably for reconnaissance only initialy.

The Mukti Bahini was very good at making guerrilla plans and at guerrilla tactics. SFF were responsible to support the Mukti Bahini and provide reinforcement to them as and when required.

The SFF played a crucial role in the war.

Incidentally, the force had only one helicopter. The pilot, Sqn Ldr Parvez Rustomji Jamasji, had to carry out all the duties, para-dropping over the battle sites, rations and ammunition dropping, rescue operations, etc — a feat in itself for which the young pilot was awarded Vir Chakra.

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