OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

can cause capital flight, which is a national security issue. Despite globalized environment,
Pakistan experienced reduction in FDI over the last 5 years.
Large MNCs investing in a country tend to exploit the latter’s need for FDI; Pakistan is no
exception.
Implications of Migration on National Security
Migration has been a long standing feature in South Asia. It has associated hazards as well.
Overall, migration management presents a far greater security challenge to weak and failing states than to
advanced post-industrial states. Pakistan faces the issue of brain-drain which if not appropriately
articulated, is likely to emerge as an important issue. The dictates of homeland security is against the
spirit of globalization. While globalization professes free movement of people across frontiers, homeland
security demands stringent controls. Pakistan hosts thousands of visitors mainly from India on the pretext
of business, Sikh pilgrimage and people-to-people contact. It has been historically proven that hostile
agencies have always exploited this conduit for their nefarious designs. Over last few years Pakistan has
faced a serious recession in tourists; details of year 2010 includes arrival (0.907 Million), earning ($ US
305 Million) and world Share (0.35 %) 64 . Cultural invasion is one segment of globalization which is
viewed with a lot of suspicion. A conservative country like Pakistan can ill-afford Indian and Western
cultural invasion.
One-Way Traffic
The Marxist writer Immanuel Wallerstein expresses the dilemma over Universalism. “Liberals
view it as a gift of the powerful to the weak that places them in a double bind: to refuse the gift is to lose;
to accept the gift is to lose”. 65 Our proclaimed offenders have been given refuge in many western
countries from where they are operating with total impunity. Conversely, we are expected to hand-over
any suspect without credible evidence of his or her involvement in the act. In the blasphemous film row;
the US refused to take any action against its producer, disregarding the sentiments of Muslims all over
the world. Some clandestine security agencies would want unabated entry into Pakistan, while their
homeland security agencies would make our entry into that part of the world most cumbersome and
difficult.
Global In-justice and In-equality
Social justice and rule of law is hard to find in inter-state relations. Display of high-handedness
by powerful states is a universally accepted norm. Even after not being able to find WMDs, the very
casus-belli of US invasion of Iraq; the US-led coalition continued to pursue its operations. This is our
global village where desecration of the Holy Quran by a priest in US was though condemned but it was
not more than just a lip-service. Pakistan is also facing similar challenges.
Opportunities for Pakistan
Is Globalization Inevitable for Pakistan. It is a very common argument for policy makers in Pakistan.
The issue has recently gained currency after the present government’s decision to grant MFN status to
India. In the words of Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq, “Globalization is no longer an option, it is a fact. Developing
countries have either to learn to manage it far more skilfully, or simply drown in the global crosscurrents.
66 ”
International Trade. Pakistan is endowed with a unique geo-strategic location which implies that it
can neither be left out nor remain aloof to the economic activity occurring at its neighbourhood. Pakistan
sits at the strategically important location from where it can act as a bridge between the east and the west.
Even though Pakistan’s exports primarily remain agricultural products with limited revenue generation
capability; the EU still accounted for 22.6% of Pakistani exports which were mainly cotton apparel and
leather goods. 67 This speaks of the tremendous potential which Pakistan has for international trade.
Pakistan has a host of untapped natural resources and cheap and hard-working labour. This is a unique
opportunity for foreign investors who can develop a symbiotic and mutually-benefitting relationship with
Pakistan.
Regional Trade – SAARC Forum. SAARC is an economic and political organization of eight countries
in South Asia. Opportunities which SAARC presents are:
Economic well-being of more than 1.7 billion people of the region.
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 73 June 2013