Special lecture on theme “Pakistan’s Emerging Posture: Internal and External” by Dr Shalini Chawla

Chandigarh, November 15, 2019: The Department of Defence and National Security Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a special lecture on the theme “Pakistan’s Emerging Posture: Internal and External” by Dr Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies, here today. She highlighted the status quo that has been visible in Pakistan after the abrogation of Article 370 by India. She drew attention to the way Pakistan’s Prime Minister was breathing fire and particularly pointed to Pakistan’s call for the so called ‘stand in solidarity with Kashmir’ as part of collective heightened anxiety that followed the Abrogation. Dr. Shalini Chawla gave a profound presentation that she divided into two segments, namely- Pre and Post abrogation of Article 370. In the Pre Abrogation segment, she spoke about Imran Khan’s ascendancy to the post of Prime Minister in confluence with the Military and ISI in 2018 that was accentuated with his “Naya Pakistan” campaign. She iterated how Imran Khan rose to power as he was a fresh face and free from the baggage of corruption unlike the previous leaders. “Election 2018 of Pakistan was more like Selection 2018 owing to Imran Khan being Pakistan Military’s choice” added Dr. Shalini Chawla. She went on to highlight how the opposition was brutally targeted by the PTI, the Judiciary and the military in order to secure a win in the elections. Dr Chawla went back to the time when Imran Khan was sworn in as the Prime Minister where he proposed talks with India. She pointed out that the entire proposal was a gimmick as talking would have been favorable for Pakistan’s image at the International forum with FATF’s sword lingering on its neck. However, India was clear in its stand that Terrorism and talks don’t go together. Talking about China’s maneuvers in Pakistan, Dr Chawla came up with some intricate details telling the audience about what the CPEC means to a common citizen of Pakistan. On the other hand, she talked about the strategies of US in relation to Pakistan. She analyzed the current situation and said, “Pakistan is aware of US’s designs in Afghanistan and its willingness to get out of that theatre and it wholly understands that for any fruitful negotiation to take place, US needs Pakistan’s help. Hence, it gets a leeway to carry on its activities with impunity.” In the Post abrogation segment, she highlighted how the abrogation had challenged the narrative and identity of Pakistan that was created over very long period. “The threat perceptions and related narrative has been created and nurtured for long and it has served Pakistan’s purpose. Its narrative is that of threat and insecurity that gives the Military a free hand to strengthen its domination over the country” added Dr Chawla. The lecture then saw Dr Chawla talk about Pakistan’s use of terrorism as a foreign policy tool. She informed the audience about its funding that benignly comes from the parallel economy and the drug industry. She also pointed out how the military accumulated nuclear weapons and termed it as the “Islamic Bomb” as a means of wooing the International Islamic community in the name of threat from India. She told the students about how United States had a significant presence in Pakistan in the 80’s and yet chose to overlook Pakistan’s nuclear ambitions in exchange of its help against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In the years to follow, Pakistan was able to procure F-16s and other equipment in the face of hostility. “Imran Khan has left no stone unturned in internationalizing the Kashmir issue and quite hilariously, he has become a champion of human rights- but only in Kashmir” added Dr Chawla in a jest with undertones related to Pakistan’s hostilities in Baluchistan. Talking about Kashmir, she mentioned that the narrative within Pakistan related to Kashmir could be best demonstrated with the slogans given by Pakistan, such as “Fight for Kashmir is not lost” and “Those standing for Kashmiris are doing Jihad.” She also talked about the infamous speech of Imran Khan at the United Nations that won him appreciation within the country as being consistent with the Pakistan’s narrative. Dr Chawla highlighted the intensive lobbying by Pakistan in the International media. She informed the students that a Pakistani organization called International Humanitarian Organisation was exclusively set up just a month before Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US and was used for lobbying for International media coverage against India using a PR firm called Fantom Communications. Dr Chawla went on to talk about the book “Quranic concepts of War” written by Brigadier Malik of Pakistan that legitimizes terrorism. “Terror struck in the hearts of the enemies is not only a means, it’s the end itself,” quoted Dr Chawla from the book. Explaining further, Dr Chawla talks about the war hysteria that has been built which gives the leeway to the Military to constantly modernize itself. In the days following the abrogation, Imran Khan has tactfully talked about Nuclear threat. He has iterated on several occasions that it is a dangerous situation for both the countries. Dr Chawla explains the reasons behind this mechanism- First, Highlighting nuclear threat by India, justifies nuclear build up using national resources. Second, to attract global attention and Third, for mediation in the Kashmir issue. Faculty, serving and retired Army Officers, Research Scholars and students from the department participated in the programme.