The world is passing through an unusually difficult phase marked by geopolitical tensions, economic pressures and evolving security challenges. The Middle East remains volatile, while Pakistan continues to confront terrorism and internal security threats. In such circumstances, the responsibilities of Pakistan’s armed forces inevitably extend beyond conventional border defence to the wider regional security environment.The Makkah Agreement for Joint Defence between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye is an important development in this changing landscape.
Its Strategic Political and Defence Committee held its first meeting in Istanbul on August 31, bringing together the foreign and defence ministers and senior military leadership of the three countries. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to regional peace, de-escalation, collective defence and stronger institutional cooperation.The recent diplomatic and military engagements of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also acquire significance in this broader context. His visit to Tehran on August 24, amid the US-Iran conflict, was described by Pakistan’s Foreign Office as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote de-escalation, break the military stalemate and explore a negotiated settlement.These developments demonstrate that Pakistan’s security environment can no longer be viewed exclusively through the lens of its territorial borders.
Relations with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran and other regional and international partners have acquired greater strategic importance. Military preparedness and diplomacy must therefore operate alongside each other.This brings us to an important question: when the challenges confronting our armed forces are increasing, what are the responsibilities of the nation?The answer lies not in political affiliation but in a wider sense of national responsibility. Political disagreement is an essential part of democracy. Questioning a government, criticising policies and protesting against inflation or economic hardship are legitimate democratic activities. But rights are accompanied by responsibilities.Pakistan is confronting interconnected challenges involving terrorism, economic pressures, political tensions and regional instability. At a time when our security personnel continue to sacrifice their lives in the fight against terrorism, society must ensure that legitimate political disagreement does not turn into unnecessary confrontation or instability.This does not mean that people should ignore their economic difficulties.
Rising petroleum prices, inflation, unemployment, electricity costs, taxation and inadequate public services are genuine concerns. The government has a responsibility to listen to these grievances and provide relief wherever possible. Political parties have an equally legitimate role in highlighting public concerns and questioning government policies.At the same time, economic pressures cannot always be attributed exclusively to domestic policy. International energy markets, regional conflicts, global economic conditions and Pakistan’s own fiscal circumstances all influence prices and public finances. The government’s challenge is to manage these pressures while protecting ordinary citizens from excessive hardship.
The protests announced by Jamaat-e-Islami against petroleum prices and inflation, as well as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s call for protest on September 27, should be viewed within the democratic framework. Their demands and political positions can be debated through constitutional and peaceful means. The important consideration is that political protest should not unnecessarily compromise public order, the rights of ordinary citizens or national security.The situation in Poonch and Sudhnoti in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, particularly around Rawalakot and Pallandri, also deserves attention in this wider context. Raising one’s voice for public rights is a democratic right. At the same time, respect for the rule of law, peaceful protest and protection of citizens and property are equally important. Where allegations involving weapons, violence or organised networks arise, their truth should be established through transparent investigation and due process rather than political slogans or speculation.It would neither be accurate nor responsible to portray every development as part of a single chain or conspiracy.
Yet it is equally necessary to recognise the difficult environment in which these events are occurring. Pakistan is already dealing with terrorism, regional tensions and increasing responsibilities on both the diplomatic and security fronts.A fundamental distinction must therefore be maintained: national security does not mean surrendering citizens’ rights, just as citizens’ rights do not mean disregarding national security. Peaceful protest, political disagreement and demands for economic relief are legitimate. So are the responsibilities to obey the law, protect public property and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of fellow citizens.Supporting the armed forces and security institutions does not necessarily mean supporting a particular government or political party. It means recognising the sacrifices of those confronting terrorism and other security threats. At the same time, state institutions must operate within the constitutional and legal framework, listen to legitimate grievances, favour dialogue where possible and subject serious allegations to transparent investigation.Pakistan does not need political confrontation to produce winners and losers. It needs stability, tolerance and institutional harmony. The government must address public hardship; political parties must keep disagreement within constitutional and peaceful channels; citizens must remember both their rights and responsibilities; and state institutions must perform their duties within their constitutional domains.We should neither regard every protest as rebellion nor assume that every state action is beyond question.
The real challenge is to maintain a responsible balance between rights and duties, freedom and responsibility, protest and law, and politics and national security.Our armed forces are performing their duties at the frontiers, security personnel are confronting terrorism, Pakistan’s military leadership is engaged in complex regional diplomacy, and the government is attempting to manage difficult economic circumstances. At such a moment, political leadership and citizens alike have a responsibility to prevent internal disagreements from becoming another source of national vulnerability.Difficult circumstances do not last forever. Economic pressures can ease, political differences can be resolved and avenues for dialogue can always be found. What matters is that, during difficult moments, our differences do not overwhelm the larger interests of national security, stability and public welfare.This is not a time to defeat one another. It is a time to strengthen Pakistan. That is our shared national responsibility.
