Non-Traditional Security Narrative and National Security Policy of Pakistan: Limitations and Policy Recommendations

Abstract

Since 1947, Pakistan had an Indian-centric security policy, but after 1979, situation in Afghanistan became a concern for Pakistan’s security as well. Later after 9/11, a new security threat emerged in the form of terrorism and this security challenge was also included into Pakistan’s security policies. Despite these security concerns, Pakistan never documented an official national security policy for the country. Until recently Pakistan’s first official national security policy was made public titled as ‘National Security Policy of Pakistan 2022-2026’ that is based on a citizen-centric approach, and with a focus on geo-economics together with geo-strategy, the relationship between economic, traditional, and human security is emphasized by keeping the economic security at the center of this comprehensive national security of Pakistan. But, at the same time, this policy document has certain shortcomings as well. This paper primarily discusses the ‘National Security Policy of Pakistan 2022-2026’, highlighting the non-traditional security challenges to Pakistan that the document fails to mention. The paper also explains the implementation of the non-traditional security narrative in Pakistan through the provisions of the required institutions and the recommendations to make this an actual comprehensive national security policy for Pakistan.