Pakistan faces a number of security threats, both internal & external ones. Sometimes an amalgamation of both. The Pakistan security forces need to respond to these challenges better, but so far, only a lack of planning, strategy & farsightedness has been displayed.
Despite all of Pakistan ISI's ruthless efficiency highlighted in the local & international media, the ISI has not been living up to its reputation, in light of dealing with the rising challenges it faces. While it faces different types of terrorism (WOT militants [local & international], sectarian militants, separatists/insurgents) inside the country, it also faces the challenges of spillover from Afghanistan along its Western front. The drone strikes program further complicates matters. A US/Israel attack on Iran can further destabilize Balochistan, Pakistan; & make things a lot worse than they already are (unbelievable that things can get any worse, but they can). While destabilization can spill into Pakistan from other countries in the region, destabilization from Pakistan also has a chance of "spilling over" into other countries (into China, Iran, Afghanistan & India). That would a disaster to not only Pakistan, but the whole region. Very dangerous times indeed for the whole neighborhood, but especially for Pakistan, as the US actions in Afghanistan are only destabilizing Pakistan, with little reaction/response from the Pakistani side to counter the situation. It seems like the ISI is content to wait it out, although there are signs that Pakistan might become a nightmare for itself & the region before that.
While the ISI is facing all these challenges, it is also under pressure from the civilian government & the international community. The more time is spent trying to resolve these "issues", the more difficult it will be for the ISI to do its job properly to improve security. India has done a pretty good job arresting & clamping down on insurgents on its soil, its LEAs (unlike Pakistan's) have focused on their job without distractions from the central or provincial governments, they've spent lots of money to improve security, but most of all, they seem to have good strategy & planning on how to counter their challenges, although the challenges they face from their neighborhood are far less severe than what Pakistan has had to face. Pakistan needs to spend more time, money & resources on improving security inside the country, & develop better strategies to counter its growing security challenges.
While terrorism has decreased in Pakistan over the last few months, Pakistan still faces enormous security challenges both from within the country, & within the neighborhood. As long as the neighborhood is unstable, so is Pakistan. But a lack of strategic planning & farsightedness on the part of the ISI & Army has been horribly exposed.
The deradicalization strategy in Musharraf's time, that focused on revitalizing the youths who had become victims of extremism, & were under threat of falling under the realm of terrorism seems to be missing/failing badly. This again puts the vision & farsightedness of the ISI into question. Sectarianism, which has declined significantly over the years, seems to be on the rise, & spreading northwards into Gilgit-Baltistan & elsewhere. Sectarian outfits & their leaders get acquitted from the courts, roam around freely on the streets, giving speeches & not being accountable to law. While a local extremist group might not be a direct threat to the Pakistani administration (by not attacking them), they support and aid insurgents elements/groups that are a direct threat to the administration.
Pakistan is in a phase of war, & every country in a phase of war goes through turbulent times. This is the same case with Pakistan, where a myriad of internal problems are greatly exacerbated by a number of external factors from the neighborhood. Once these external factors are out of the picture, the internal problems will remain, but their resolution will not be as complex as it is now.
Despite all of Pakistan ISI's ruthless efficiency highlighted in the local & international media, the ISI has not been living up to its reputation, in light of dealing with the rising challenges it faces. While it faces different types of terrorism (WOT militants [local & international], sectarian militants, separatists/insurgents) inside the country, it also faces the challenges of spillover from Afghanistan along its Western front. The drone strikes program further complicates matters. A US/Israel attack on Iran can further destabilize Balochistan, Pakistan; & make things a lot worse than they already are (unbelievable that things can get any worse, but they can). While destabilization can spill into Pakistan from other countries in the region, destabilization from Pakistan also has a chance of "spilling over" into other countries (into China, Iran, Afghanistan & India). That would a disaster to not only Pakistan, but the whole region. Very dangerous times indeed for the whole neighborhood, but especially for Pakistan, as the US actions in Afghanistan are only destabilizing Pakistan, with little reaction/response from the Pakistani side to counter the situation. It seems like the ISI is content to wait it out, although there are signs that Pakistan might become a nightmare for itself & the region before that.
While the ISI is facing all these challenges, it is also under pressure from the civilian government & the international community. The more time is spent trying to resolve these "issues", the more difficult it will be for the ISI to do its job properly to improve security. India has done a pretty good job arresting & clamping down on insurgents on its soil, its LEAs (unlike Pakistan's) have focused on their job without distractions from the central or provincial governments, they've spent lots of money to improve security, but most of all, they seem to have good strategy & planning on how to counter their challenges, although the challenges they face from their neighborhood are far less severe than what Pakistan has had to face. Pakistan needs to spend more time, money & resources on improving security inside the country, & develop better strategies to counter its growing security challenges.
While terrorism has decreased in Pakistan over the last few months, Pakistan still faces enormous security challenges both from within the country, & within the neighborhood. As long as the neighborhood is unstable, so is Pakistan. But a lack of strategic planning & farsightedness on the part of the ISI & Army has been horribly exposed.
The deradicalization strategy in Musharraf's time, that focused on revitalizing the youths who had become victims of extremism, & were under threat of falling under the realm of terrorism seems to be missing/failing badly. This again puts the vision & farsightedness of the ISI into question. Sectarianism, which has declined significantly over the years, seems to be on the rise, & spreading northwards into Gilgit-Baltistan & elsewhere. Sectarian outfits & their leaders get acquitted from the courts, roam around freely on the streets, giving speeches & not being accountable to law. While a local extremist group might not be a direct threat to the Pakistani administration (by not attacking them), they support and aid insurgents elements/groups that are a direct threat to the administration.
Pakistan is in a phase of war, & every country in a phase of war goes through turbulent times. This is the same case with Pakistan, where a myriad of internal problems are greatly exacerbated by a number of external factors from the neighborhood. Once these external factors are out of the picture, the internal problems will remain, but their resolution will not be as complex as it is now.
