THE 5th Generation Warfare, conducted through print, electronic and particularly social media after 9/11, became the primary tool for spreading false propaganda and fostering a lack of trust in political, social, and military institutions. Its aim was to weaken the social and political fabric of a hostile nation, ultimately creating an anarchical environment within it. Strong institutions serve as the bedrock of national power. Pakistan, despite its efforts to foster diplomatic relations, has historically faced hostility from neighbours on its western and eastern borders. Additionally, its nuclear program and robust military presence have drawn the ire of America, India, Israel, and their allies.
Following the tragic events of 9/11, America, India, and Israel embarked on an unremitting media campaign against Pakistan’s army to sow seeds of mistrust and discord. Media outlets in Pakistan, along with political commentators and their followers spared no effort in furthering the ulterior motives of these adversaries. Their goal was to tarnish the image of the military and undermine the morale of both soldiers and officers. This sustained and damaging wave of propaganda has deeply affected individuals from all walks of life, particularly the youth, who have limited exposure to national, regional, and international security dynamics.
National integration in pluralistic societies like Pakistan is a cumbersome process. It may be simply defined as “the bringing of diverse communities under the umbrella of one-nation with sense of nationhood”. The sense of this oneness is a cementing force to counter internal and external security threats. Pakistan’s army is a national institution with strong value-system, especially discipline and internal accountability mechanism which is also endorsed by arch critic of Pakistan’s military, Anaton Lieven, in his work – Pakistan: A Hard Country.
The changing security dynamics have changed the military’s approach and followed a holistic approach in addition to its professional responsibilities and this is reflected by momentous initiatives taken by the incumbent Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Hassan Azhar Hayat. The most significant steps in the long list is the launching of programme of consistent “interactive sessions with students/youth” from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which provided a very productive platform to the youth to pose questions on various security issues and to get satisfactory responses accordingly. This helped in clearing the minds of the youth from misconceptions and false propaganda against the security agencies. Besides this, gigantic social events like security seminars and Round Table discussions have also been started.
In addition, the first ever Women Symposium was organized for women across the province which was attended by more than 350 ladies from all walks of society; and this also gave an opportunity to women to share their ideas for their betterment and for the amelioration of society. This also speaks loud the efforts of 11 Corps of gender equality and welfare of women. For restoration of peace and bringing hustle bustle to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Corps Commander followed the traditional values of Pakhtoon society and held Grand Jirga with tribal elders and Tribal Youth Jirga (in which more than 700 young boys and girls from newly merged districts participated). Moreover, 11 Corps under the charismatic leadership of Lt Gen Azhar Hayat also organized first ever National Security Workshop with 40 eminent participants from all walks of life to discuss various aspects and dimensions of security and to overcome any security loopholes in the best interests of people of Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan generally and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and former Tribal Areas underwent a grave wave of militancy and terrorism in history where the security forces were engaged on various fronts to counter terrorism and militancy through various military operations to dismantle their hideouts and also to cope with their abettors.
The militants specifically targeted schools, particularly those for girls, as well as mosques and tribal elders. Due to the fear of these attacks, local tribal communities refrained from enrolling their children in schools. On the other side, many schools were turned into ashes. This created the issue of building infrastructure farcicalities and enrolment of children which put the future of coming generations at stake. This forced the policy-makers to overcome this looming social and academic menace.
The 11 Corps with the assistance of KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department has launched program “Education for All (Ilm Tolo Da Para)” with the singular purpose of enhancing literacy rate across Merged Districts (former FATA) and other militancy affected areas. In addition, strong actions have also taken against ghost schools and ghost teachers in these areas. In a nut shell, peace, prosperity and building of society and state needs sacrifices and coordination and cooperation among people and their security agencies. The current peace is restored at the cost of blood of civil and military Jawans and officers and people of Pakistan. Today’s the youth need to adhere to the slogan “United We Stand; and Divided We Fall”.
The writer is Chairman, Department of Political Science, Islamia College Peshawar.
Email: amir@icp.edu.pk
views expressed are writer’s own.
