Strong Military and Unity: The Pillars of Pakistan’s Survival, Defense, Sovereignty, and Prosperity

(Written by: Abdul Basit Alvi)

Numerous historical and contemporary examples demonstrate the profound and lasting effects of a weak military. From territorial losses to internal instability, these countries highlight the critical role of a strong and capable military in ensuring national survival and progress. Afghanistan stands as a stark example of the consequences of a weak military on a nation’s stability. Despite its strategic location in South Asia and Central Asia, Afghanistan’s failure to maintain a strong, unified army has led to decades of turmoil. The country has faced foreign invasions, civil wars, and internal strife, largely due to its inability to establish and sustain a cohesive military force. In the 1980s, Afghanistan was invaded by the Soviet Union. Despite foreign support from the United States, Afghanistan’s army was overwhelmed, eventually leading to the Soviet withdrawal. However, the country’s failure to create a stable military and government system allowed the Taliban to rise to power in the 1990s, capitalizing on the weak central authority. While U.S. and NATO intervention following the 9/11 attacks helped build a new Afghan National Army, this military remained fragile, poorly equipped, and divided along ethnic lines. In 2021, as U.S. troops withdrew, the Afghan military swiftly collapsed under the Taliban’s advances, leading to the fall of Kabul and the Taliban’s return to power. Afghanistan’s lack of military strength allowed external forces to influence its internal politics, and without a strong army to defend against these pressures, the country fell back into instability.

Syria offers another stark example of the dangers of a weak army, particularly in the context of a prolonged civil war. Prior to the Syrian Civil War, Syria had a relatively large military, but it was inefficient, corrupt, and divided. When the conflict began in 2011, the Syrian military was unable to effectively counter the growing insurgency, leading to the country’s rapid fragmentation. What began as peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad quickly escalated into a full-scale war, involving numerous rebel groups, foreign intervention, and extremist organizations. Although Syria received support from foreign allies such as Russia and Iran, the initial weakness of its military and failure to contain the uprising resulted in the country being torn apart. The fragmented military, along with severe corruption and poor morale, made it difficult for the government to maintain control. The weak military environment allowed groups like ISIS to seize territory, further destabilizing the country. Syria’s lack of military strength made it vulnerable to both internal uprisings and external actors. The country remains in turmoil, with a broken military unable to restore peace and stability. Recently, Israel has taken advantage of this instability, launching significant attacks on Syrian defense targets near Damascus. These attacks have destroyed dozens of fighter planes, helicopters, and critical defense infrastructure, while Israel has expanded its control in the Golan buffer zone.
Without such a powerful military, Pakistan would be vulnerable to external threats, becoming an easy target for its enemies. This discussion clearly emphasizes the importance of a strong army for Pakistan, offering a response to those who question the need for military spending. The people of Pakistan fully understand the vital role of the Pakistan Army. The nation stands united in recognizing the armed forces as the true defenders of the country, offering unwavering support to them.

Another crucial issue is the deepening division and hatred within societies. The ongoing situation in Syria serves as a stark example. Syria, once a peaceful nation like Libya, has paid an immense price from 2010 to 2024—over 400,000 civilian deaths, more than 200,000 soldiers killed, over 6.7 million internally displaced persons, and over 7 million refugees fleeing abroad. With the departure of President Bashar al-Assad, the real conflict is set to begin, as over 100 armed groups will vie for control, with religion and sectarianism further fueling violence. The hopes and dreams of the Syrian people have turned into bloody nightmares.

This tragedy is a direct consequence of foreign powers manipulating public perceptions and weakening the state. While some actors may be unaware of the long-term consequences, others deliberately stoke division, knowing full well the destructive path ahead. The people of Pakistan have much to learn from the Arab Spring and the Syrian conflict. Once a state is weakened, the suffering of its people becomes far worse and endless.

In Pakistan, a similar narrative is being promoted through social media, where people are led to believe that the state is usurping their freedom, and that true liberation lies outside the authority of the state. A specific political party is being supported and encouraged to stoke division, with rhetoric that fuels hatred against anyone who disagrees. Its Politics is being transformed into militancy and presented as a righteous, holy war. This is a dangerously toxic formula for any society that seeks peace and stability in the 21st century. The ultimate goal is to weaken the state.
Pakistanis must reject this hateful and violent ideology. While poverty and corruption are indeed grave social issues, the real threat lies in the propagation of hate and the use of violence as a political tool. The true target of these forces is Pakistan itself and its people. The public must resist hate-driven ideologies and demand that the state assert itself in protecting the nation’s peace and stability.

Pakistan has a clear path toward peace and prosperity, which lies in progressive development, not in hollow slogans, hate-filled speeches, or the misuse of violence masked under the guise of religious righteousness. The people of Pakistan must reject those who seek to weaken the nation, and demand that the government take strong action against any forces that seek to destroy the country’s peace and stability. The people stand united with the country and its military in ensuring the betterment and future of the nation.