1. INTERNAL AND EXTERNALINTERNAL AND EXTERNAL
SECURITY THREATS TO PAKISTANSECURITY THREATS TO PAKISTAN
The term security is often observed in theThe term security is often observed in the
narrow-minded context, rarely do we go into thenarrow-minded context, rarely do we go into the
conceptual framework. Security is generalized inconceptual framework. Security is generalized in
military suggestion but with the rapidmilitary suggestion but with the rapid
developments in the existing world, differentdevelopments in the existing world, different
dimensions of it have come to the forefront.dimensions of it have come to the forefront.
Security is an overriding priority for all nations. ItSecurity is an overriding priority for all nations. It
is also fundamental for both disarmament andis also fundamental for both disarmament and
development. Security consists of not onlydevelopment. Security consists of not only
military, but also political, economic, social,military, but also political, economic, social,
humanitarian and human rights and ecologicalhumanitarian and human rights and ecological
aspects.aspects.

2.  INTERNAL THREATS:INTERNAL THREATS:
 Internal threats are threatsInternal threats are threats
which a country has to face within its territory.which a country has to face within its territory.
These threats are more common rather thanThese threats are more common rather than
any other threats and have outrageous andany other threats and have outrageous and
destructive effects. Destruction of a country‘sdestructive effects. Destruction of a country‘s
economy is the minor effect of these threats.economy is the minor effect of these threats.
These threats not only destabilize a country butThese threats not only destabilize a country but
also present a bad image of that country inalso present a bad image of that country in
front of the world. Most of the problems hurriedfront of the world. Most of the problems hurried
interstate tensions and threats are created frominterstate tensions and threats are created from
within, by its geopolitics, its locationwithin, by its geopolitics, its location

3.  INTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTAN:INTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTAN:
 Pakistan has fallen aPakistan has fallen a
prey of internal threats badly since coming intoprey of internal threats badly since coming into
existence. The challenges of threats faced are, old asexistence. The challenges of threats faced are, old as
well as new. Along with its religious identity Pakistan iswell as new. Along with its religious identity Pakistan is
also a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-culturalalso a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual and multi-cultural
state. These characteristics have created problems forstate. These characteristics have created problems for
her. As a consequence, it has experienced all varietiesher. As a consequence, it has experienced all varieties
of internal conflicts, i.e. tribal insurgencies, ethnic andof internal conflicts, i.e. tribal insurgencies, ethnic and
sectarian struggles, civil war, border conflicts, andsectarian struggles, civil war, border conflicts, and
conventional war. Few of the threats which confuse theconventional war. Few of the threats which confuse the
internal security are from the history of disputableinternal security are from the history of disputable
boundaries, cross-border diffusion of ethno-linguisticboundaries, cross-border diffusion of ethno-linguistic
and religious groups, conflicting economic interests,and religious groups, conflicting economic interests,
problems in nation building and economic development.problems in nation building and economic development.
These internal threats lead to external interference inThese internal threats lead to external interference in
internal affairs. Pakistan due to its location in theinternal affairs. Pakistan due to its location in the
region has been involved in major coalitions with bigregion has been involved in major coalitions with big
powers which create problems for Pakistan for theirpowers which create problems for Pakistan for their
personal motives.personal motives.

4.  SECTARIAN/RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS:SECTARIAN/RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS:

Pakistan’s internal security problem hasPakistan’s internal security problem has
been spoiled by the religious/sectarianbeen spoiled by the religious/sectarian
problem. The sectarian threat poses a greatproblem. The sectarian threat poses a great
danger, and could possibly be devastating fordanger, and could possibly be devastating for
the country. Pakistan has been regarded bythe country. Pakistan has been regarded by
some observers as a weak and vulnerablesome observers as a weak and vulnerable
state threatened by the force of ethnicity andstate threatened by the force of ethnicity and
sectarianism.sectarianism.

5.  ETHNIC UNREST:ETHNIC UNREST:
 Another danger is theAnother danger is the
problem of ethnic unrest. Punjab, withproblem of ethnic unrest. Punjab, with
almost 60 percent of the population,almost 60 percent of the population,
dominates almost all aspects of national life.dominates almost all aspects of national life.
Smaller ethnic groups, all of who have at oneSmaller ethnic groups, all of who have at one
time been actively dissident, resent this fact.time been actively dissident, resent this fact.
Sindh, one of the mostSindh, one of the most
industrious provinces of Pakistan faces aindustrious provinces of Pakistan faces a
divide between urban prosperity and ruraldivide between urban prosperity and rural
deprivation as no other province in Pakistan.deprivation as no other province in Pakistan.
Sindh is the most ethnically diverse of fourSindh is the most ethnically diverse of four
provinces, due to both international transfersprovinces, due to both international transfers
of peoples into the province during andof peoples into the province during and
subsequent to partition in 1947 and tosubsequent to partition in 1947 and to
domestic internal migration.domestic internal migration.

6.  REFUGEES:REFUGEES:
 The problem of refugees in Pakistan is aThe problem of refugees in Pakistan is a
complex issue for Pakistan. It has further enhanced thecomplex issue for Pakistan. It has further enhanced the
already existing problems. It poses a serious threat toalready existing problems. It poses a serious threat to
the security at various levels. The main invasion ofthe security at various levels. The main invasion of
refugees came from Afghanistan during the Sovietrefugees came from Afghanistan during the Soviet
Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. All the people who ranUnion’s invasion of Afghanistan. All the people who ran
away for their lives entered Pakistan through theaway for their lives entered Pakistan through the
border at the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).border at the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
About 3.5 million Afghan refugees entered into PakistanAbout 3.5 million Afghan refugees entered into Pakistan
over the last two decades.over the last two decades.
 The presence of these Afghan refugeesThe presence of these Afghan refugees
poses threat to the security of Pakistan at differentposes threat to the security of Pakistan at different
levels. At the social level, the presence of Afghanlevels. At the social level, the presence of Afghan
refugees led to disturbance in the law and orderrefugees led to disturbance in the law and order
situation, increasing violence and criminal activity, andsituation, increasing violence and criminal activity, and
aggravated ethnic tension in the NWFP as well as theaggravated ethnic tension in the NWFP as well as the
Balochistan. The Afghan refugees do not form a group,Balochistan. The Afghan refugees do not form a group,
as they belong to various tribes, with different tribalas they belong to various tribes, with different tribal
and judicial system, which results in tensions andand judicial system, which results in tensions and
conflict within groups and leads to bloodshed.conflict within groups and leads to bloodshed.

7.  Arms. The refugees they brought illegal arms,Arms. The refugees they brought illegal arms,
without any license, which resulted in anwithout any license, which resulted in an
abundance of small arms in Pakistan. The gunsabundance of small arms in Pakistan. The guns
and small arms that the refugees brought withand small arms that the refugees brought with
them, they sold it into the open market at verythem, they sold it into the open market at very
low prices.low prices.
 DrugsDrugs Another cause for concern was theAnother cause for concern was the
involvement of the refugees in drug trafficking.involvement of the refugees in drug trafficking.
They had free access to drugs like heroin thatThey had free access to drugs like heroin that
they smuggled through the borders intothey smuggled through the borders into
Pakistan. This made all these drugs easilyPakistan. This made all these drugs easily
accessible to the local society, which, resultedaccessible to the local society, which, resulted
in increase of drug addiction.in increase of drug addiction.
Economy of Pakistan is deeplyEconomy of Pakistan is deeply
affected by the refugees as well. In the earlyaffected by the refugees as well. In the early
80’s the amount spent on these refugees per80’s the amount spent on these refugees per
day crossed well over one million dollars perday crossed well over one million dollars per

8.  TERRORISM:TERRORISM:
 Terrorism, use of organized pressure,Terrorism, use of organized pressure,
has been a major threat to Pakistan’s internal security.has been a major threat to Pakistan’s internal security.
Pakistan has faced the threat of terrorism due toPakistan has faced the threat of terrorism due to
intolerance, suppression, and excessive violence, andintolerance, suppression, and excessive violence, and
economic and political discrimination, religious andeconomic and political discrimination, religious and
ethnic division. Terrorism basically exists in two formsethnic division. Terrorism basically exists in two forms
in Pakistan. The religious extremist groups, which havein Pakistan. The religious extremist groups, which have
been outlawed and have been involved in sectarianbeen outlawed and have been involved in sectarian
killings or violence fall in this category, whose primekillings or violence fall in this category, whose prime
target is not foreign commercial targets but challengetarget is not foreign commercial targets but challenge
the writ of government and the second one isthe writ of government and the second one is
supported by external sponsorship.supported by external sponsorship.
Pakistan has been hostage to terroristPakistan has been hostage to terrorist
activities carried out by ethnic and religious groups.activities carried out by ethnic and religious groups.
The religious groups used religion as a tool andThe religious groups used religion as a tool and
expressed that due to control of not being free toexpressed that due to control of not being free to
actively practice religion, a reaction has occurred. Theactively practice religion, a reaction has occurred. The
continued criticism of the pro-western policies. Incontinued criticism of the pro-western policies. In
reaction and to discourage the governments to go allreaction and to discourage the governments to go all
out for those policies they create trouble by workingout for those policies they create trouble by working
into terrorist activitiesinto terrorist activities

9.  POVERTY / POPULATION:POVERTY / POPULATION:
 Poverty andPoverty and
population interlinked, pose another threat topopulation interlinked, pose another threat to
Pakistan’s internal security. There could bePakistan’s internal security. There could be
problems, which facilitate the growth of theproblems, which facilitate the growth of the
other. The present rate at which Pakistan isother. The present rate at which Pakistan is
developing in terms of its population growthdeveloping in terms of its population growth
rate it is estimated that in the year 2025, therate it is estimated that in the year 2025, the
population of Pakistan will be 263 million.population of Pakistan will be 263 million.
This growth will lead to other problems forThis growth will lead to other problems for
the country. With the proposed growth rate,the country. With the proposed growth rate,
the problems of meeting the basic needs ofthe problems of meeting the basic needs of
the citizens will be difficult. The averagethe citizens will be difficult. The average
person living well below the poverty line willperson living well below the poverty line will
be further drawn into the turbulence ofbe further drawn into the turbulence of
economic deprivation and embedded furthereconomic deprivation and embedded further
deep into poverty. It will be difficult for thedeep into poverty. It will be difficult for the
state to provide the basic services, which willstate to provide the basic services, which will
require expansions.require expansions.

10.  EXTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTANEXTERNAL THREATS TO PAKISTAN
 External threats are those threats which aExternal threats are those threats which a
country has to be faced by other countries. As discussed incountry has to be faced by other countries. As discussed in
internal security threats that Pakistan has to face so many internalinternal security threats that Pakistan has to face so many internal
security threats. So, to control these internal threats Pakistan maysecurity threats. So, to control these internal threats Pakistan may
be needed a lot of money and to obtain the money he may have tobe needed a lot of money and to obtain the money he may have to
beg for the foreign aid in front the foreign country. The beggarbeg for the foreign aid in front the foreign country. The beggar
country may be compiled by the foreign country who use to aid.country may be compiled by the foreign country who use to aid.
So, as the foreign country wants, it would do.So, as the foreign country wants, it would do.
 THREATS OF UNITED STATES TO PAKISTAN:THREATS OF UNITED STATES TO PAKISTAN:
 In terms of Pakistan's externalIn terms of Pakistan's external
security, the US using Jondullah through Balochistan to destabilizesecurity, the US using Jondullah through Balochistan to destabilize
Iran undermines the socio-historical, cultural and politicalIran undermines the socio-historical, cultural and political
Pakistan-Iran relationship and creates its own destabilizingPakistan-Iran relationship and creates its own destabilizing
dynamics within Pakistani society. Perhaps the silliness of the USdynamics within Pakistani society. Perhaps the silliness of the US
ignorance is reflected most clearly now in the statements comingignorance is reflected most clearly now in the statements coming
from Obama's Special Envoy for this region, Richard Holbrooke. Hefrom Obama's Special Envoy for this region, Richard Holbrooke. He
showed it after his visit to Pakistan when he talked about peopleshowed it after his visit to Pakistan when he talked about people
not being able to walk independently in Peshawar.not being able to walk independently in Peshawar.

11.  INDIAN FOREIGN EXTERNALINDIAN FOREIGN EXTERNAL
AFFAIRS MINISTER’S STATEMENT:AFFAIRS MINISTER’S STATEMENT:
 13th February, 200913th February, 2009
 I rise to informI rise to inform
the House of developments since thisthe House of developments since this
House last considered the result of theHouse last considered the result of the
dishonorable terrorist attack on Mumbai.dishonorable terrorist attack on Mumbai.
On December 12, 2008 this HouseOn December 12, 2008 this House
resolved, in a serious Resolution that:resolved, in a serious Resolution that:
"India shall not cease in her efforts until"India shall not cease in her efforts until
the terrorists and those who havethe terrorists and those who have
trained, funded and supported them aretrained, funded and supported them are
exposed and brought to justice".exposed and brought to justice".

12.  RECOMMENDATIONS for remedies:RECOMMENDATIONS for remedies:
 According to all of theAccording to all of the
above scenario, there are many things which have toabove scenario, there are many things which have to
be change. But I like to suggest a few things in order tobe change. But I like to suggest a few things in order to
help remove these threats from the country. Thesehelp remove these threats from the country. These
recommendations are as follows:recommendations are as follows:
 1.1. EDUCATION:EDUCATION:
 The first effort should be on theThe first effort should be on the
educational front. Pakistan has made significanteducational front. Pakistan has made significant
improvement in its literacy rate in the last ten years.improvement in its literacy rate in the last ten years.
There is a popular national consensus about theThere is a popular national consensus about the
importance of education. It is important to develop theimportance of education. It is important to develop the
curricula and syllabi of the first twelve years ofcurricula and syllabi of the first twelve years of
education and to rewrite books on Islamic studies,education and to rewrite books on Islamic studies,
social studies, history, Urdu, and English for all schoolsocial studies, history, Urdu, and English for all school
levels to strengthen the elements which deal with, thelevels to strengthen the elements which deal with, the
rights of others, tolerance, justice and loverights of others, tolerance, justice and love

13.  GOVERNANCE:GOVERNANCE:
 The quality of governanceThe quality of governance
needs to be improved. The weak political institutionsneeds to be improved. The weak political institutions
need to be developed, in a manner that theneed to be developed, in a manner that the
evolutionary process of democracy takes a smoothevolutionary process of democracy takes a smooth
walk. Bold and decisive leadership that can make thewalk. Bold and decisive leadership that can make the
hard choices between consumption and investment,hard choices between consumption and investment,
education, defense spending, economic and humaneducation, defense spending, economic and human
development needs to be there. Leadership that showsdevelopment needs to be there. Leadership that shows
integrity in its personal and public dealings, and thatintegrity in its personal and public dealings, and that
make policies, which are free of all misconducts andmake policies, which are free of all misconducts and
corruption.corruption.
Civil and military relations needsCivil and military relations needs
to be addressed, a harmony between them needs to beto be addressed, a harmony between them needs to be
created to create a pleasant political environment.created to create a pleasant political environment.
Social, diplomatic, military and economic policiesSocial, diplomatic, military and economic policies
should be formulated between the two which guard theshould be formulated between the two which guard the
national interest of the state and which in the long-national interest of the state and which in the long-
term perspective does not pose a threat.term perspective does not pose a threat.

14.  SECTARIANISM:SECTARIANISM:
An ongoing dialogueAn ongoing dialogue
between the leaders of the two groups at abetween the leaders of the two groups at a
national as well as at the city level isnational as well as at the city level is
important. Many times, culprits of theimportant. Many times, culprits of the
violence between the two groups have beenviolence between the two groups have been
unknown gunmen who have killed at eitherunknown gunmen who have killed at either
Sunni or Shia Masjids with no one claimingSunni or Shia Masjids with no one claiming
any responsibility. Most leaders from bothany responsibility. Most leaders from both
sides are not involved in the violence. Mostsides are not involved in the violence. Most
Masjids do not preach violence against anyMasjids do not preach violence against any
group. Then who starts these fights?group. Then who starts these fights?

15.  ETHNICITY / MINORTIES:ETHNICITY / MINORTIES:
Civil leadershipCivil leadership
should facilitate dialogue between the ethnicshould facilitate dialogue between the ethnic
groups in Sindh to create a balance andgroups in Sindh to create a balance and
harmony. Contact should be establishedharmony. Contact should be established
between the ethnic groups so that they can talkbetween the ethnic groups so that they can talk
out their grievances and redress the situation.out their grievances and redress the situation.
A common cause for the betterment of theA common cause for the betterment of the
society should be established between the two.society should be established between the two.
The minoritiesThe minorities
should be treated appropriately. Positiveshould be treated appropriately. Positive
relationship should be worked out between therelationship should be worked out between the
Muslims and the non-Muslims. A pleasantMuslims and the non-Muslims. A pleasant
environment should be created where theenvironment should be created where the
minorities do not feel neglected and contributeminorities do not feel neglected and contribute
in building Pakistan as a better statein building Pakistan as a better state

16.  TERRORRISM:TERRORRISM:
 Internally PakistanInternally Pakistan
should deal with sectarianism as that isshould deal with sectarianism as that is
posing a lot of terrorist threats to theposing a lot of terrorist threats to the
security. With emphasis on controllingsecurity. With emphasis on controlling
internal threats of terrorism, external theinternal threats of terrorism, external the
threats should also not be ignored asthreats should also not be ignored as
they act as feeders to the internalthey act as feeders to the internal
threats.threats.
The Iranian connection toThe Iranian connection to
supporting the danger of terrorism couldsupporting the danger of terrorism could
not be ruled out. They are funding thenot be ruled out. They are funding the
sectarian groups who are following theirsectarian groups who are following their
agenda.agenda.

17.  IMMIGRATION/BORDER:IMMIGRATION/BORDER:
Whether it’s theWhether it’s the
border with India, Afghanistan, Iran, or the seashores,border with India, Afghanistan, Iran, or the seashores,
with the exception of the northeast, Pakistan’s borderswith the exception of the northeast, Pakistan’s borders
are by and large only monitored on road crossings. Thisare by and large only monitored on road crossings. This
leads to the general problem of a growing illegalleads to the general problem of a growing illegal
population and penetration.population and penetration.
Smuggling alsoSmuggling also
flourishes in Pakistan due to the border situation. Thereflourishes in Pakistan due to the border situation. There
are well-known bazaars throughout the country, whichare well-known bazaars throughout the country, which
sell smuggled goods. Last year in Zhob, which borderssell smuggled goods. Last year in Zhob, which borders
Afghanistan, I found pickup trucks, which were tenAfghanistan, I found pickup trucks, which were ten
percent of the cost of these vehicles in Karachi. You canpercent of the cost of these vehicles in Karachi. You can
find cheaper and better cows closer to the borders offind cheaper and better cows closer to the borders of
India in Sindh, where people smuggle grain and oils toIndia in Sindh, where people smuggle grain and oils to
India in exchange for cows, which Hindus don’t want toIndia in exchange for cows, which Hindus don’t want to
slaughter themselvesslaughter themselves