(Written by: Abdul Basit Alvi)
Recently, Israel published a map of ‘Greater Israel’ on its official social media platforms in Arabic, asserting historical territorial claims over lands in several Arab nations. The publication of this map has been widely criticized across the Arab world. Gulf countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, have strongly condemned the map, which claims “historic territorial rights” over Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
The release of the map coincides with statements from hard-line Israeli ministers advocating for the full re-occupation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank and the rebuilding of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. In March 2023, far-right Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was photographed standing next to a map of “Greater Israel” that included Jordan as part of Israel during a speech in Paris. The publication of this controversial map has sparked widespread backlash, with several Arab nations calling on the international community to intervene and stop Israeli violations against the region’s countries and peoples.
The timing of the publication has surprised many, particularly as Syria faces significant instability, leaving no major military power in the immediate vicinity of Israel. This situation emphasizes the need for strong countries and military forces as a safeguard against external threats.
This situation draws a parallel to Pakistan’s defense needs. Without a strong military, Pakistan would struggle to maintain its sovereignty in the face of both internal and external challenges, particularly with the presence of formidable adversaries. The emergence of the “Greater Israel” map amidst a region of weakened Arab countries and military forces serves as a clear reminder of the importance of military strength, a message that resonates with Pakistan’s own security priorities.
As a country strategically positioned in South Asia, Pakistan faces a complex security environment, including volatile regional dynamics, internal issues, and shifting global geopolitics. Consequently, Pakistan’s military has always been a crucial component of its national security. Given the evolving nature of both traditional and non-traditional security threats, it is increasingly essential for Pakistan to allocate substantial resources to its military. While military spending remains a contentious topic, it is vital for Pakistan to ensure its defense, sovereignty, and stability. Pakistan’s substantial military expenditure is primarily driven by its sensitive geopolitical position, sharing borders with multiple nations, each with its own security concerns that directly affect Pakistan. The most significant threat to Pakistan comes from its eastern neighbor, India.
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Since their independence in 1947, the two countries have fought multiple wars, with the ongoing dispute over the Kashmir region remaining a major point of tension. India, with its significantly larger economy and military, continues to modernize its defense forces, which compels Pakistan to enhance its own military capabilities in order to maintain strategic parity. Furthermore, Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan has been a source of instability, particularly given the ongoing conflict and the rise of terrorism and militancy in the region. The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has further complicated Pakistan’s security situation, as militant groups frequently cross the porous border, creating security challenges, particularly in Pakistan’s tribal areas.
As a result, substantial military spending is essential to strengthen border security and address internal insurgencies that threaten national peace and stability. Additionally, Pakistan’s long-standing alliance with the United States, along with its growing partnership with China, requires maintaining military capabilities to protect its interests and navigate the shifting dynamics of global power. Specifically, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project, needs robust security to safeguard both the investment and the trade routes. A capable military is critical for the successful implementation of such projects, which are crucial for Pakistan’s long-term economic growth.
Since acquiring nuclear weapons in 1998, Pakistan has relied on its nuclear deterrent as a central component of its defense strategy. However, maintaining and modernizing its nuclear arsenal is an expensive endeavor. To ensure that its nuclear capabilities remain credible and effective, Pakistan must invest heavily in its defense infrastructure, including missile systems, surveillance, and command-and-control systems.
The evolution of technological warfare, such as cyber threats and advanced missile technology, requires Pakistan to constantly update and modernize its military capabilities to maintain deterrence. Substantial military spending is also directed toward sustaining conventional forces that can respond to regional conflicts. While nuclear weapons provide strategic deterrence, conventional military forces are vital for the immediate defense of the country in the event of conventional warfare. A modernized army, air force, and navy, combined with cutting-edge defense technology, ensure that Pakistan is prepared to effectively counter any threats, both nuclear and conventional, from regional adversaries.
In addition to external threats, Pakistan faces significant internal security challenges. The rise of terrorism, particularly from groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and various sectarian militias, has placed considerable strain on the country’s security forces. Over the years, Pakistan’s military has been heavily involved in counterterrorism operations aimed at dismantling militant groups that threaten the state’s stability.
To effectively combat terrorism, Pakistan’s military requires substantial resources for intelligence gathering, surveillance, special operations, and the upkeep of its counterterrorism infrastructure. Operations like Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, which targeted militant hideouts in urban and rural areas, were successful due to well-funded and coordinated military efforts. These operations not only targeted terrorist organizations but also contributed to improving internal stability, which is essential for long-term peace.
Beyond counterterrorism, Pakistan must also address sectarian violence and separatist movements, particularly in regions like Balochistan. The military’s role in maintaining law and order in these areas and countering insurgencies demands ongoing investment in personnel, equipment, and logistics.
Modern warfare has been drastically transformed by technological advancements, including cyber warfare, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), artificial intelligence, and advanced missile systems. To keep pace with these advancements, Pakistan needs to make significant investments in defense research and development. This approach not only strengthens military capabilities but also promotes domestic defense production, thereby decreasing dependence on foreign suppliers. Investments in technology are essential for strengthening Pakistan’s defense, whether through upgrading radar systems, improving cybersecurity defenses, developing autonomous military systems, or acquiring more advanced weaponry.
A robust technological base enables Pakistan to develop indigenous defense products, reducing reliance on foreign arms imports while fostering national pride and economic growth. Although critics often highlight the high costs of military spending, Pakistan must recognize that defense expenditure is not just an expense but an investment in the nation’s long-term security. A stable and secure environment is essential for economic growth, attracting foreign investment, and promoting trade.
A strong military presence ensures the protection of vital infrastructure, such as ports, highways, and energy pipelines, and instills the confidence necessary for long-term economic planning. Additionally, Pakistan’s defense industry plays a significant role in the country’s economy, providing jobs, supporting local industries, and contributing to advancements in science and technology. By investing in defense, Pakistan can strengthen its industrial base, foster innovation, and generate employment opportunities, thereby promoting national economic growth.
Military spending is not just a matter of national pride but a critical necessity for Pakistan’s survival and stability. Given the external threats, internal security challenges, and the rapidly evolving nature of global warfare, Pakistan’s military must be well-equipped and modernized to effectively protect the nation’s interests.
Defense spending is crucial to ensuring national security, maintaining strategic deterrence, and addressing both conventional and non-conventional threats. It is clear that investing in defense is an investment in the nation’s future. Pakistan’s survival, sovereignty, and security depend on its ability to maintain a formidable and modern military, capable of addressing any challenges that may arise. The people of Pakistan stand with the country and its military, rejecting all efforts by enemies and anti-state elements to weaken the nation and its defense forces.
