Security requires economic, institutional stability: expert

Foreign affairs expert Muhammad Mehdi has argued that Pakistan's national security cannot be determined solely by military might. He emphasized the need for a more comprehensive approach that considers factors such as economic stability, institutional strength, and public trust. Mehdi delivered a lecture on the current security situation in Asia and its potential future scenarios at Johns Hopkins University, a prestigious institution ranked among the world's top 20. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session with faculty and students.

Mehdi contended that defining Pakistan's national security solely through military power, defense capabilities, and border security represents only one aspect of the evolving concept of state security in today's global landscape. He explained that national security now encompasses a broader range of dimensions, including economic stability, political institutions, internal peace, cybersecurity, technological capabilities, and public trust.

According to Mehdi, political conflicts, institutional tensions, economic pressures, provincial grievances, and terrorism in Pakistan should not be viewed as isolated issues, as they are interconnected and collectively impact the overall capacity of the state. For sustainable national security, he stressed the importance of robust institutions, the rule of law, economic stability, and public confidence in the state system.

Referring to Pakistan's bilateral relationship with China and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mehdi cautioned that the success of major economic projects should be evaluated not just based on infrastructure development, but by measurable economic indicators such as industrial production, trade, exports, employment, and technology transfer.

Regarding regional security, Mehdi advocated for a review of agreements like the Mecca Defence Agreement based on treaty obligations and national interests, while stressing the need to clearly understand the scope of collective defense, decision-making mechanisms, and Pakistan's responsibilities in potential regional conflicts.

On the U.S. front, Mehdi pointed to potential areas of cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and diplomacy. However, he cautioned against relying on external relationships to compensate for domestic economic weaknesses. Mehdi concluded by asserting that Pakistan's national security extends beyond defense capabilities, reflecting the overall capacity of the state.

He emphasized that strong defense, a stable economy, effective institutions, academic and technological capacity, and public trust are all essential elements in ensuring comprehensive national security.