Author : Haifa

1. Introduction Pakistan’s National Security Policy serves dual interests by synchronizing domestic needs with foreign policy goals of “mutual respect and shared interests.”

2. A Brief Overview of National Security Policy (2022-2026)

• i. A five-year framework establishes economic stability, human security, and peace as pillars of national security.

• ii. Marks a foreign policy shift from a traditional to a non-traditional security approach.

3. Pakistan’s National Security Policy: A Roadmap towards a Comprehensive Foreign Policy

• i. Prioritizes trade and investment by integrating economic security into foreign policy; boosting foreign reserves (SBP, 2024).

• ii. Enhances human security goals through a collaborative approach, e.g., highlighting climate risks at COP events.

• iii. Addresses cybersecurity issues through diplomatic ties, evident in PTA’s Cybersecurity Strategy, 2023.

• iv. Strengthens security against cross-border threats via a “four-tiered” approach: Air, Land, Sea, and Information.

• v. Establishes economic and cultural engagement as tools of soft power, building a positive image through active diplomacy.

4. Pakistan’s National Security Policy: A Pathway towards a Neutral Foreign Policy

• i. Encourages non-alignment by avoiding entanglement in global power competition, such as balancing relations with the US and China.

• ii. Promotes “responsible diplomacy” by emphasizing “mutual respect and shared interests,” evident in Pakistan’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.

• iii. Advocates for de-escalation and peaceful dispute resolution (e.g., the recent standoff with Iran: Operation Marg Bar Sarmachar).

• iv. Seeks to diversify strategic partnerships to avoid dependency; MOFA’s positive stance towards post-Hasina Bangladesh.

• v. Helps rectify past foreign policy mistakes through neutrality; e.g., the Pak-China-Afghanistan tri-summit to foster peace on the western border.

5. Capitalizing on the Positives of the National Security Policy

• i. Through a non-partisan monitoring agency.

• ii. By synchronizing domestic policy with the NSP (2022-2026).

• iii. Leveraging gains by highlighting the success of the NSP at the international level.

6. Conclusion

Introduction :

The ultimate purpose of National Security Policy would be to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of the citizens of Pakistan.” — Former National Security Advisor

The foreign policies of nations are defined by strategic priorities aimed at securing both domestic and international interests. Ensuring the safety of citizens remains the paramount goal of every state, as aptly captured by the former National Security Advisor in the quote above. With this objective, Pakistan’s security establishment introduced the country’s inaugural National Security Policy (NSP) in 2022. This document signifies a paradigm shift from a foreign policy driven by geostrategy to one motivated by geoeconomics.

The policy serves Pakistan’s dual interests by prioritizing domestic necessities through a foreign policy anchored in “mutual respect and shared interests”. It establishes a robust framework to bolster economic stability and human security. Furthermore, it charts a roadmap toward a comprehensive and neutral foreign policy for the future. This application is manifested through profitable trade, secured human security, stable borders, and shared global interests, all while avoiding entanglements in major power conflicts. A critical analysis of these dimensions reveals a strategic recalibration essential for Pakistan’s evolving geopolitical standing.