Pakistan has long viewed its military as a vital element of state power, forged in the crucible of wars with India and the challenges of internal and external terrorism. Its army has demonstrated its resilience in counter terrorism operations across the tribal areas, its strategic planning in conventional war settings, and its deterrence in the nuclear realm. Yet, the evolving global military landscape, shaped by fifth-generation warfare, drone technology, cyber warfare, space-based surveillance, and artificial intelligence-driven combat systems, demands that Pakistan does not rest on past laurels. The recent Israeli operations used precision-guided munitions, deep-penetration drone strikes, real-time satellite intelligence, and advanced cyber capabilities to destroy targets hundreds of miles away from their borders. To counter such threats or to develop the capability to respond in kind if needed, Pakistan must accelerate its investment in advanced defense technologies, improve its surveillance and air defense systems, enhance its cyber warfare units, and refine its military doctrines to deal with modern hybrid threats. The attack on Qatar, a peaceful Gulf country known for diplomacy, negotiation, and humanitarian support for Palestine, was a turning point. Israel’s decision to strike inside Qatari territory under the pretext of targeting Hamas-linked figures revealed that even nations without overt hostilities could be violated if they are perceived as weak or defenseless. If Qatar, with its wealth and international connections, can be struck, it raises alarming questions about the security of other Muslim nations. Pakistan, as a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and a major Muslim power, must interpret this incident as a wake-up call. It can no longer afford to rely solely on diplomatic protests or Islamic solidarity forums that have repeatedly failed to deter such acts. Only a strong military—capable, modernized, and ready—can provide the real leverage needed in today’s ruthless international system.
Furthermore, the occupation and destruction in Palestine show that oppression thrives where military resistance is absent or ineffective. For decades, the people of Gaza and the West Bank have suffered under occupation, blockade, and repeated military assaults, including the leveling of entire neighborhoods, the targeting of hospitals and schools, and the killing of civilians. Despite the immense global sympathy for the Palestinians, no country has been able to intervene militarily to protect them or to deter Israel’s operations. In this context, the idea of a strong, independent Muslim military power becomes not just strategic but moral. Pakistan, with its ideological foundation rooted in Islamic values and its stated commitment to defending the Ummah, must recognize that its military is not only a national asset but a potential force for regional balance and collective Muslim deterrence. While Pakistan is not advocating offensive wars or unjust interventions, the presence of a strong army backed by advanced technology, rapid response capabilities, and strategic alliances sends a message that there are red lines that cannot be crossed without consequences.
Another critical dimension is the growing normalization of Israel with several Arab countries. The Abraham Accords and subsequent bilateral agreements between Israel and Gulf states have created a fragmented regional environment where collective Arab resistance to Israeli aggression is weakening. In such a scenario, Pakistan’s military independence becomes even more important. As traditional Arab powers grow closer to Tel Aviv for economic and strategic reasons, the moral and military responsibility to advocate for justice and defend the oppressed shifts towards countries that have not compromised on their principles. Pakistan, by not recognizing Israel and maintaining a consistent stance on Palestine, becomes a unique and vital player in the Muslim world—one whose military strength ensures that its voice carries weight, not just in speeches, but in strategic equations. In addition to regional dynamics, Pakistan must also consider the lessons from history. The 21st century has shown repeatedly that nations without a strong army are vulnerable to both external aggression and internal destabilization. Iraq, Libya, and Syria were all targeted under the pretexts of regime change, counterterrorism, or humanitarian intervention. Their military weaknesses allowed foreign powers to dismantle their state structures, destroy their national integrity, and plunge them into years—if not decades—of chaos. The absence of strong national defense architectures made them easy targets, and the results were catastrophic. For Pakistan, which faces not only a hostile eastern neighbor in India but also complex regional challenges in Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, the need for an even stronger military is both pragmatic and existential.
The importance of nuclear deterrence, while significant, is not a substitute for conventional strength. Nuclear weapons are ultimate deterrents, but they are not usable tools in day-to-day strategy, border skirmishes, hybrid warfare, or international projection of power. What matters more in today’s geopolitical environment is the ability to conduct surgical strikes, defend airspace from drones and missiles, counter cyber threats, manage information warfare, and sustain conventional readiness across multiple fronts. Pakistan must, therefore, invest not only in quantity but in quality—training special operations forces, enhancing joint command structures, securing digital networks, and developing indigenous defense production to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers who may not share its strategic interests. Moreover, a strong army plays an essential role in national cohesion and disaster response. In times of floods, earthquakes, pandemics, and internal emergencies, it is often the army that steps in when civilian institutions falter. Strengthening the Pakistan Army is not merely about war—it is about comprehensive national resilience. A confident, disciplined, and technologically capable army serves as the backbone of a country’s sovereignty, security, and sense of unity. In a volatile region like South Asia and the Middle East, surrounded by both conventional threats and ideological fault lines, there is no alternative to strength. The recent Israeli attacks on Palestine, Qatar, and other Muslim nations have reinforced a harsh but inescapable truth: only nations with strong, credible, and advanced military capabilities can deter aggression, protect their people, and influence global decisions. For Pakistan, whose ideological foundation includes standing for justice and defending the oppressed, especially in the Muslim world, these events are not distant or irrelevant. They are a call to vigilance, to strategic foresight, and to the strengthening of every pillar of national defense. A stronger Pakistan Army is not just a national requirement—it is a regional necessity, a symbol of hope for the voiceless, and a shield against the increasing militarization of injustice in today’s world.
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