PAKISTAN’S INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL NON-KINETIC THREATS IN THE 21st CENTURY FINDING THE WAY OUT

Abstract

Globalization has considerably transformed the nature of wars. The conflict has shifted from military to non-military forms, with weapons being replaced by words. Several studies have examined the evolving trends in warfare, which have progressed from gunpowder to technology and now, to non-kinetic warfare. Non-kinetic warfare includes economic warfare, psychological warfare, cyber warfare, Artificial Intelligence, and non-traditional warfare-related threats. Pakistan is prepared to counter any threats from its adversaries. This research aims to explore the evolving trends in hybrid warfare and its impact on Pakistan's national security and foreign policy strategies. It will begin with an overview of the essence and origins of the evolution of warfare and explain the essence of hybrid warfare. The review of existing scientific literature will highlight the views and ideas of scholars and experts on Non-kinetic warfare, hybrid warfare, and 5th-generation warfare, including their challenges. Using the Qualitative Method, the researcher analyzes the situation in Pakistan and addresses the situation. The research findings suggest that Pakistan faces numerous kinetic and non-kinetic threats from adversaries such as India and the US, among which Non-kinetic threats pose the greatest danger. To protect itself from non-kinetic warfare and its threats, Pakistan must enhance its governance, military power, and technology. These measures will help the government address Non-kinetic warfare and ensure its security in the future.