By T H Shah
Introduction
• The principal concern of Pakistan's national life is security, both internal and
external i.e. country's defense from inimical forces from within and without. It is
fact that Pakistan is a peaceful country. Pakistan actively seeks a peaceful
international order and strongly adheres to the terms of the UN Charter and UN
Declaration of human rights. Pakistan holds the standpoint that any territorial
acquisition by force is totally unacceptable, and it has always sought and
advocated peaceful settlement of regional and international disputes. Despite this
policy of peace which is hallmark of Pakistan's ideology and orientation, the fact
is that in the first quarter of its existence the country has been the victim of
aggression three times i.e. war of 1947, 1965 and 1971.
• Pakistan has always framed its foreign policy keeping in view the factors like
Indian threat, Occupied Kashmir, strategic relations with USA and China,
economic security both at internal and external, and its relations with the Muslim
world. But subsequent to the end of cold war, crumbling down of USSR and
proclaiming itself as nuclear state and the tragedy of 9/11, the course of its foreign
policy has changed. It had to reorient its foreign policy in the light of terrorism,
the propaganda widely trumpeted by the Western countries of the world. Pakistan
wants normalization of relations with India, but Indian hostility, intentions and
attitudes, and enhanced military preparations have direct imprints on Pakistan's
national security.
At present, apart from above stated factors, Pakistan’s security centers round following
main factors:
Subsequent to 9/11 tragedy, the Government of Pakistan has taken many laudable steps to
counter the threats of terrorism. They include,
• The Pakistani Government has also banned several militant and sectarians groups.
• Secondly, few odd Madaris involved in violent jihad, have tarnished Pakistan’s
sincere efforts to fight the menace of terrorism. In order to avoid the onslaught of
western decision makers, a strong need is felt to evaluate the efficacy of our Deeni
Madaris.