By Afnan Wasif
Variation is inherent in the nature of the universe. In view of this natural law, war tactics and techniques have also changed and they have shifted from the first generation to the fifth generation or hybrid warfare. The subject of security has expanded significantly since the end of the Cold War and after the 9/11 incident. It is not enough to weaken or subjugate a country or a nation by military force alone.
It has become possible to subjugate the country and the nation politically, economically, diplomatically and socially. India has also used such ploys to undermine Pakistan’s national security, which is still ongoing. Indian-sponsored terrorism via Kulbhushan Jadhav, India’s efforts to put Pakistan on FATF’s gray list, the Pulwama-Balakot dispute in 2019, India’s misinformation campaign, violations of Indus Water Treaty etcetera are Indian tactics to impair Pakistan’s security.
Many unsuccessful attempts have been made to portray Pakistan as an unsafe and dangerous state on the world stage. To this end, every possible support was given under the auspices of India to promote terrorism in Pakistan. Recently, India has been found involved in activities to spread chaos and terrorism in Balochistan through Kulbhushan Jadhav. He provided military and economic support to various separatist groups fighting against Pakistan, such as the BLA, the BRA, and the BLF.
Moreover, India was also found involved in the attack on the Chinese Consulate in Karachi to sabotage CPEC. The Zoji La Pass tunnel is also being built by India to monitor CPEC. Such Indian maneuvers have done significant damage to Pakistan’s internal and external integrity.
At the FATF meeting held in Paris on June 29, 2018, approval was given to put Pakistan on the gray list. India did its utmost to put Pakistan on the gray list by justifying its failure to take strong action against Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other religious organizations allegedly involved in the Mumbai attacks and other terrorist activities. The reality is quite the opposite. Hafiz Saeed has also been jailed for 31 years. Organizations such as the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation have also been banned. Apart from this, Pakistan has also completed most of the tasks given by FATF.
Acknowledging Indian influence and interference in FATF, the Indian Foreign Minister said in a statement: “The BJP government led by Narendra Modi has ensured that Pakistan remains on FATF’s gray list. Because of us, Pakistan is under the supervision of FATF and has been placed on the gray list.” The United States, India’s strategic partner, has persuaded Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and China to take action against Pakistan. Similarly, India assured China of its support for FATF’s future leadership. Therefore, due to the strong Indian lobby, Pakistan is still on the FATF’s gray list. This is causing serious problems to Pakistan’s economy.
After the Kargil battle, the Pulwama-Balakot dispute was a serious military tension between Pakistan and India. India blamed Pakistan for the suicide attack in Pulwama. In response to the suicide attack, the Indian Air Force dropped its payload at Balakot, a Pakistani territory, and retreated. It claimed that we had dismantled the training camp of the organization involved in the Pulwama attack in Balakot in which more than 300 terrorists were allegedly undergoing training with the aid of the Pakistani Intelligence Agency.
In fact, the Indian Air Force could do nothing but cut down a few trees in Balakot. But to cover up the humiliation, they launched a campaign to spread negative propaganda. It has been falsely reported on Indian channels that 300 terrorists have been killed and we have shot down an F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force. In this way, India has tried its best to throw dust in the eyes of the world. One of the main purposes of using such stratagems was to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.
A Brussels-based NGO has identified a network that has been operating under the patronage of the Indian “Srivastava Group” for 15 years. The aim was to spread fake news against Pakistan and tarnish its international image. Srivastava Group and India’s largest video news agency and Reuters News Agency’s Indian partner “Asian News International” were key players in the entire operation. There were 265 websites in 65 countries seeking to spread fake news against Pakistan and tarnish its international image. The Srivastava Group lobbied members of the European Parliament and persuaded them to write against Pakistan. Asian News International used these articles as credible references to present Pakistan’s alleged negative image to the world. Such moves, in particular, threaten to harm Pakistan’s tourism industry and the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.
India has always tried to cause irreparable damage to Pakistan’s economy by violating the Indus Water Treaty. India laid the foundation stone for a dam on the Kishanganga River in occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 2007 which was a total violation of the Indus Water Treaty. Because it was diverting the flow of water and causing the depletion of water level.
Pakistan took the matter to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2010 which ruled in favor of India in 2013. As a result, Pakistan faced a 21% water shortage in the Neelum River, which resulted in a 13% reduction in energy production in the Neelum Jhelum project. These Indian actions were tantamount to destroy Pakistan’s economy and agriculture.
However, these gambits by India to destabilize Pakistan’s national security did not last long or will last. But they have done some damage to Pakistan’s military, economic, political, diplomatic, and social security. However, Indian efforts are futile in the face of Pakistan’s retaliatory efforts. To address the threats posed by hybrid warfare, Pakistan must build its integrity, sovereignty, self-reliance, and the ability to defend its national interests. The unity of the entire nation, all state and government institutions, media, and civil society are essential to tackle this multifaceted threat.
The author is a student of Strategic Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad. He could be reached at [email protected]
