Qatar, a country that has often played a diplomatic role in mediating Israeli-Palestinian tensions, was targeted in a recent Israeli drone strike that sought to eliminate Hamas negotiators on its soil. Although the strike caused regional outrage and was condemned by the UN, there was no military consequence for Israel. Qatar, like many Gulf states, lacks a significant military deterrent and relies heavily on diplomatic channels and foreign military partnerships for its security. The absence of any credible threat of retaliation allows Israel to calculate that the benefits of neutralizing perceived enemies outweigh the potential costs.
This, once again, illustrates how the lack of military power in Middle Eastern countries enables Israel to extend its operations across the region with minimal constraints. For Arabs and Muslims, the repeated images of Israeli warplanes bombing Palestinian neighbourhoods, of soldiers raiding refugee camps, and civilian deaths occurring without any form of accountability are a source of humiliation and anger. The inability of their governments to respond in any meaningful way— militarily or diplomatically— leads to a sense of helplessness, further weakening the legitimacy of those regimes in the eyes of their people.
In some cases, this power vacuum has fueled radicalization and the growth of extremist groups who promise to resist the occupation unconventionally. Thus, the absence of strong national armies not only enables Israeli aggression but also destabilizes the internal dynamics of the region by creating fertile ground for non-state actors to rise and challenge the Arab regimes that fail to defend their people.
The Israeli strategy of regional dominance thrives in a context where there is no serious conventional threat to its military superiority. This imbalance of power allows Israel to dictate the rules of engagement, set the tempo of conflict, and operate across borders with near-total air superiority,
Until the countries of the Middle East develop strong, unified, and self-reliant military capabilities— alongside the political will to act collectively— Israel’s aggressive actions are likely to continue unchecked. The establishment of such deterrence is not merely a matter of military hardware or numbers but requires comprehensive reform, strategic unity, and the political courage to challenge decades of division and foreign dependency. Without it, the people of Palestine and the wider region will continue to suffer the consequences of an unequal conflict, and peace will remain a distant ideal rather than an achievable goal.
Pakistan’s military stands among the most capable and battle-hardened forces in the Muslim world. Rooted in the geopolitical complexities of South Asia and the broader Islamic world, the strength of the Pakistan Army is not merely a matter of national pride but a crucial necessity for the country’s survival, sovereignty, and strategic relevance.
In recent years, especially following the aggression by Israel in Palestine, Qatar, and Yemen, the justification for Pakistan to not only maintain but further enhance the strength of its armed forces has grown even more apparent. These events have underscored a brutal global reality: only those nations that possess strong, self-reliant, and technologically advanced armies can deter external threats and protect their sovereignty. Pakistan, therefore, must see its military strength not merely as a matter of national defence but as a pillar of regional stability, Islamic solidarity, and strategic deterrence.
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.
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.
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 defence systems, enhance its cyber warfare units, and refine its military doctrines to deal with modern hybrid threats. The attack on Qatar 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 defenceless. 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 can provide the real leverage needed in today’s ruthless international system.
The 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. Despite the immense global sympathy for the Palestinians, no country has been able to intervene militarily.
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.
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 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 defence production.
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.
