By Barkat Ullah.
The Writer currently works as a Research Associate at the International Parliamentarians’ Congress Islamabad. He has a wide experience of writing for various newspapers and can be reached at barkatullahbarakaat@gmail.com.
Although the contemporary world has become a global village due to advanced technologies, increased cooperation and interconnectedness, yet it faces several serious security challenges. In the beginning, these security challenges were traditional in nature; but nowadays, non-traditional security threats have gained tremendous importance as well. There are several countries in particular, which are facing non-traditional security threats in various aspects. Pakistan is among such countries, which is directly exposed to such security challenges; and faces catastrophic implications in this regard. It is a security state which comes across both traditional and non-traditional security issues. For instance, on one side, Pakistan has to deal Indian hostility on the line of control, insurgency on Afghanistan and Iran border, on the other; there are terrorism, pandemic, food insecurity, drug trafficking and environmental issues etc. Such issues always present devastating hazards to Pakistan; which not only impact its economy but social and political fabric as well.
Environmental issues such as climate change, flooding, drought and natural disasters are some of the major ones which have victimized Pakistan from the beginning. Pakistan, being a developing country have economic limitations, struggling governance system and weak communication and transportation mechanism. Keeping the mentioned facts in mind, it becomes very tough for Pakistan to tickle such emergency situations of environmental issues, pandemic and terrorism etc. For instance, most recently in the Baluchistan province of the country, more than 120 people are killed and thousands others are displaced as a result of heavy raining and urban flooding.
However, on one side, if there are administrative and technical shortcomings to the government bodies in dealing such unpleasant situations during environmental emergencies; yet on the other side, the security forces play a major role in order to counter such unwanted situations. The armed forces of the country not only provide comprehensive security measures to the traditional security threats on the various forums, but present a broad roadmap towards non-traditional security threats as well.
For instance, during the corona pandemic, like other countries Pakistan was also badly impacted. The society was drastically surrounded by the novel coronavirus pandemic and seriously damaged various aspects of life. These situations greatly created an exemplary and unique relationship between Civil and Military; where the military institutions took great measures against the pandemic. It was the first time, when the armed forces were facing such a major pandemic, yet they showed great enthusiasm, professionalism and courage to contain the outbreak. Under the banner of “National Response Plan 2010” of the constitution and National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the armed forces played a crucial role in planning, Establishment of emergency hospitals, Coordination, control of borders, lockdown enforcement and surveillance etc. They not only supplied logistic support to the public, but also released a substantial amount of share from their salaries to the corona relief fund. Similarly, several armed forces hospitals were converted to quarantines and isolation centers.
Moreover, during the recent urban flood in Baluchistan and several other parts of the country, the armed forces led the rescue and relief efforts in an effective way. They not only performed dewatering measures but provided food and health facilities to the affected population as well. They shifted hundreds of families from the affected areas to the safe places and gave them shelters, food and other basic items of necessity in the various areas of Baluchistan. Similarly, several standby teams were placed in different parts of the flood affected province, in order to tackle any emergency situation. More importantly, who can forget, the core commander of twelve corps Balochistan; Lt General Sarfaraz Ali along with several other officers, who lost their precious lives while conducting their duties in the flood-affected areas of Balochistan.
Thus, it can be concluded that it is the security forces of the country, who play a major part in the preservation of the country in case of both traditional and non-traditional security threats. They are not only responsible for the safety of the both internal and external sovereignty of the country but to take comprehensive measures in case of any environmental hazard, pandemic and natural disasters as well. More importantly, the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are highly committed, ready and eager to fulfil their constitutional role in these regards. The well committed and highly professional stance towards both traditional and Non-traditional issues of the armed forces of Pakistan, shows discipline, sense of responsibility and dutifulness within the institution.
