PAKISTAN'S SECURITY CHALLENGES: BALANCING BETWEEN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL IMPERATIVES

Abstract

Pakistan has faced a number of security challenges throughout its history, both from within and from outside its borders. In the early days, the country relied on security alliances with the major powers to help it cope with these challenges. However, these alliances often proved unsatisfactory. As a result, Pakistan has increasingly turned to internal balancing measures in order to protect its national security. One of the most important internal balancing measures that it has pursued is the development of its nuclear weapons program. The overt nuclearization of South Asia has somewhat diminished the chances of another all-out war between India and Pakistan. However, the security challenges confronting Pakistan continue to persist in one form or another. This paper examines Pakistan's security challenges and the evolving responses that the country has taken to address them. It argues that Pakistan's security policies have been shaped by the need to strike a balance between internal and external dimensions. The paper also discusses the implications of Pakistan's security challenges for regional and international security.