Opinion | Pakistan should introduce Military conscription
By | Faizan Rehman
Generations have been compared over time with how proficient they have been in their dedication and commitment to professionalism, and in the case we are focusing upon, national service. Through the passage of the preceding 20th century, the world waged two great wars, and every nation held on to everything it could hold upon, greatly relying on their youth to boost their ranks on all roles, be it the national guard/civil defense back home, technical support, or infantry on the front lines. The process lodged pretty much everyone present in national service through those troubled times in the war for survival.
The very same century led to the emergence of nations which consistently remained and still remain the epicenter of conflict in their region to this date. No other country is more justified to this category than Israel, which has consistently been battling against numerous Muslim states in the Middle East one war after the other. Owing to maintaining its hold of occupying its neighboring state of Palestine along with sharing borders with hostile neighboring countries, it maintains massive paramilitary forces for the said purpose. That said, being on the brink of war with unfriendly relations and skirmishes occurring time to time, it also has forces in reserves, and to top it all despite its small size, it has declared military service compulsory for all of its citizens. Other Middle Eastern countries like the Emirates and Qatar are now advancing on concrete steps to implement the same clause for their nationals.
Bringing the clause in context for Pakistan, there are certain surgical aspects which may greatly benefit the country in the longer run owing to its security situation. Here, we start off with the most critical ones in order of importance.
Pakistan is on the peril of an additional wave of ideological warfare
With non-state actors prying on local and foreign recruits for brain-washing them into dispensable soldiers, there is a need for a stronger grip of nationalism upon the entire country, end to end. Having a uniform policy for every individual going through national service would help mitigate the risks of future generations falling prey to being radicalized against the state.
Separatist elements defined on region, caste and creed will be decreased
Pakistan is home to a diverse range of cultures, and has been a refuge for numerous religious minorities including other sects of Islam. Unfortunately, the same phenomenon have been used to create division, internal violence and instability in every possible dimension, ranging from political to social. Pitching the population together as a workforce in the most cohesive departments under the government, the armed forces, will bond greater unity and fade away the differences. Numerous paramilitary forces such as Balochistan FC, Gilgit Baltistan Scouts, Khyber Scouts and Levees forces have proven their mettle to work side by side with the army in some of the most harsh and toughest areas. Quotas of recruitment with relaxed policies have been set for rural and remote zones of Balochistan, Sindh and Federally Administered Tribal Areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Navy is concentrating upon opening up cadet colleges, academies and infrastructural institutions along the coastal belt.
Israel effectively utilized it as a tool for conforming unity by even establishing special units for the non-Jewish Druze Bedouin tribes, which are of pure Arab descent and are mostly Muslim holding strong allegiance to Israel. The country even has separate units for orthodox Jews dedicated to non-combat roles.
National service will be given higher regard as an elemental quality for political establishment
Israel has had the consistent advantage of its prime minister having served in its military. Up till a certain point, some of the most influential presidents of the United States were all hailing from a military background. Senior officials of the political establishment as well as the bureaucracy, which have served in the military services in the past have an improved edge in handling the military and its needs, while also having a greater hold when it comes to complex diplomatic situations. Having an established government which has internal knowledge of the military's functioning and mindset have the overall benefit of building less differences between the political and military establishment, leading to improved stability in governance. Considering Pakistan's history of political instability, this will prove to be vital in support of future governments.
The military will be boosted with the best human resource for leadership
With the military having entire generations at their disposal, there would be a greater 'population sample' or selection pool in experimental terms to choose from for further promotion to succeed and take over military leadership. Larger batches will create greater competition within the same bracket. That way the very best of the generation will dedicate their services at the disposal for their country.
With rise in ex-military personnel, armed forces will have greater outreach for external linkages
The military will also adjust towards flexibility for short term enlisted service for soldiers and officers, like the United States and Israel. Pakistan's armed forces are now facing a constant requirement to depend upon civilian defense diplomatic experts, technological contractors, negotiators, training institutions, legal experts and journalists to make critical and important decisions. Short term service will vastly increase the civilians the military can depend upon, with a greater number pursuing post-military services. Israel's military has had the advantage of having the strongest connections when it comes to industrial development for military hardware, lobbying for clearance of purchasing equipment, or even gaining influence for covering espionage overseas.
Employment cycles will be more stable on a national basis
The US State department has adjusted the department of Defense having a primary role of being the biggest employer, allowing it to curb unemployment shifts during the worst cycles of economic instability. Military service tends to be a stable source of employment and social security, with state supported institutions for education, medical coverage and housing.
Exclusively Published on Pakistan Defence.
Opinions expressed do not represent the policies of Pakistan Defence.
