Reema Shaukat
In the time of crises it is the nation
which stands together and determines
its strengths and capabilities. The balance between elements of national power is a key to successful nation where national interest and national perseverance are the two sides of the same coin. National power can also be defined as the combination of power and capacity of a state which the state uses for fulfilling its national interests and goals. There are many important elements of national power which include geography, populace, economy, diplomacy, military, technology and many others. However, when it comes to determining state power and national security, there are four important pillars which are vital for any state. These include economy, military, judiciary and democracy. Now in this era of technology, media is regarded as fifth pillar of state as it shapes the opinion more immediately than any other source of information. In case of our Pakistan these are essential pillars like any other system and all of them working together as a binding gel is must and if any of pillar tries to disrupt others working, naturally the balance of nation as a building is disturbed and any foreign element taking an advantage of any kind of weakness can shatter the state’s building.
Considering economy as one of major pillars than it’s important to highlight that in comity of nations, without growing economy, any country cannot sustain. Particularly in the recent scenario of global pandemic we have seen how the world economies are disturbed and Pakistan too is facing challenges on economic front where the better policies and strategies are tried to be employed for sustenance and relief of masses. Likewise when democracy is another vital mainstay we see how important effective political ground and democratic values are for a country. Similarly, Judiciary is important as a strength to have proper and robust justice system. If justice is not provided to public or law and order does not prevail in any country then one can compare it with law of jungle where no regulations are followed. Military is another important component which determines a country’s strength and certainly media in the age of hybrid warfare is regarded as fifth pillar of state as all other pillars need to work efficiently and media act as one of monitors in era of information technology.
In the past few months, it has been observed that few forces try to manipulate the working of an effective system and want to create disharmony among state institutions. If judiciary goes against military or military takes any illegal steps definitely state system is going to be disrupted. We have seen how Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered opening of shopping malls before Eid ul Fitr and now the daily surge in overall reported cases of covid-19 is crossing more than 4k per day. Similarly for the past few months Justice Qazi Faez Isa case is another talk of the town where Presidential References was filed on the pretext of undeclared foreign assets last year against the aforesaid judge. Justice Isa was also criticised for the verdict in the Faizabad sit-in case in which he completely mutilated law and without factual determination and evidence ridiculed the armed forces and drawn serious disparagements on the intelligence agencies implying them to be rogue agencies and tried to support RAW narrative against Pakistan. Previously in his verdict on Quetta’s lawyers’ attack he criticized Interior Minister and FC Baluchistan among other respondents.
Somehow the references and cases on Justice Isa are always given due coverage by western media where they are seen sympathetic to accused judge and try to give attention to anti-Pakistan elements. Whatever the decision comes against or in favour of anyone, one important thing for the constancy of a country is that whosoever is the traitor be it any military man or judicial person, they are equally answerable to the state of Pakistan. Decisions in justice system must be ensured timely without any pressures and favouritism and same goes for political balance, economic conditions and media ethical norms to not create an air of uncertainty about any pillar of the state. As a backbone of the country, all state institutions must work together coherently in order to avoid any chaos. Pakistan and its public must remain cognizant of any such anti-state and corrupt elements and work together for better future of country.
— The writer works for Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, a think-tank based in Islamabad.
Mainstays in Pakistan
