Lt Col Khalid TaimurAkram (Retd)

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has severely damaged the tourism industry across the globe. Many countries that are dependent upon the tourism economy were adversely affected by its catastrophic impacts. According to world estimates, the potential shock has caused approximately a 60-80% decline in international tourism during the period of the pandemic. UAE tourism also bored the brunt of the sharp decline of economic and tourist activities in the UAE. The IMF’s assessment of the real GDP of UAE revealed that the economy of the country has contracted by 3.5% after the outbreak of the Coronavirus. However, despite a grim outlook for the global tourism industry amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, UAE is making every effort to beat predictions of a dangerous decline. The UAE is getting back to normalization and has taken several immediate steps to deal with the growing concerns. The tourism industry and hospitality sector in UAE is reviving and benefitting from a rebound driven by a multi-pronged approach adopted and executed by the authorities.

TourismIndustry

Even though the United Arab Emirates isan oil-producing economy, the tourism industry has established itself as a major amplifier of economic divergence. The tourism industry is the major growth and revenue-generating sector for the entire UAE economy and it has been projected that the travel and tourism industry will contribute about 312.4 billion United Arab Emirati dirham to the UAE’s GDP by the year 2027. Dubai is the top tourism destination in the Middle East and is the fifth most popular tourist destination in the world. Dubai holds up to 66% share of the UAE’s tourism economy, with Abu Dhabi having 16% and Sharjah 10%. To support its growth in the sector the UAE has been spending billions of dollars on infrastructural development and has managed to develop the most advanced infrastructure in the region so far. The collective spending of the United Arab Emirates government on the tourism industry is much higher in ranks than the rest of the world.

Post COVID- 19 Revival of Tourism

As UAE is always prepared to evolve in the face of global challenges, the Emirates are deeming to galvanize their growth and development particularly in the tourism sector, and also maximize the available opportunities once the tourism industry will be fully reopened and embarked on its way to the final stage of its recovery. Despite the tourism industry is facing the worst challenge in modern history due to COVID-19, the UAE can evolve and adopt new strategies to make it a success story.

Global Marketing

Along with the implementation of health and safety standards, the UAE tourism department has developed an active and prudent international marketing strategy that involves close coordination with more than 3,000 partners worldwide to drive tourist bookings. A series of digital campaigns were among notable global marketing activities launched to ensure that the emirates must continue to stay the top most favorable tourist destinations. Dubai for instance has launched high impact digital campaigns – two campaigns before its reopening and one campaign have been launched after the city reopened for the international tourists. Dubai Tourism has recently partnered with Google, Microsoft, and Snapchat in marketing projects to attract potential tourists, collaborating in virtual reality experiences that give prospective travelers a preview of the city via mobile device and computer.

The efforts made by the UAE authorities are resulting in UAE becoming one of the most sought-after destinations among tourists looking to travel again after the pandemic. According to a survey by global travel company Kuoni, Dubai is the most searched travel destination for 2021. During another survey by the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, GDCI in 2019, Dubai was ranked among the world’s top five most visited cities in the world and has been on the list for five consecutive years.

Health and Safety

Dubai’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety in line with international best practices received a strong endorsement from the World Travel and Tourism Council, WTTC, which gave the city a ‘Safe Travels’ stamp in recognition of the stringent measures taken to combat COVID-19.This improved reputation in the global market and the enhanced reputation of Dubai as one of the safest destinations in the world are key drivers of the increasing momentum for recovery. The UAE has also invested in spreading its message through social media, deploying over 350 influencers to highlight Dubai in 14 different languages. Hotels across the city have offered deals and packages for stay. The current situation has provided a huge opportunity to drive demand for domestic tourism. The UAE authorities are firm to transform their challenges into opportunities to maintain its position at the forefront of the world’s leading tourist destinations.

Hospitality and Airline Industries

The UAE’s hospitality industry is open for business and showing strong signs of recovery after the crippling economic impact of Covid-19. The online room reservations by the international tourists has reached to its highest. According to the recent statistics, the online registration for room booking in Dubai has doubled as compared to the previous month.Apart from the hospitality sector, the airline industry is also a crucial part of the UAE’S tourism industry. International airline bookings are also showing positive signs for the tourism sector. Emirates and Flydubai are facilitating tourism growth in UAE through a wide range of measures designed to instill confidence among travelers and encourage them to make the emirates their destination of choice. Emirates will be operating to a total of 70 destinations across six continents in August, while flydubai is set to expand its network to 66 destinations over the summer.

Besides the standard precautionary measures of social distancing and wearing of masks at all times by guests and employees, Dubai hotels have deployed enhanced disinfection measures across all their facilities, including the fitting of equipment for contactless screening of guests at entrances. Dubai also implemented technologically-integrated advanced safety control measures to avoid any chances of the spread of the novel virus.

How the Tourism can fully Revive

Although UAE has reopened its doors for international tourist the emirates has expressed their commitment to follow certain codes of conduct to ensure the health and safety of the travelers. A wide range of air travel protocols for visitors has further boosted the confidence of tourists. All travelers, including tourists, residents, and citizens arriving in or transiting through the UAE, must follow the following steps;

1. Passengers must get themselves tested for COVID-19 four days before their travel to the Emirates. They are also expected to sign a deceleration form that they will fully cooperate with the authorities if they contracted the novel virus. All tourists are advised to have travel insurance and they all must download the COVID-19 UAE app. This app is a Ministry of Health’s Official App on Coronavirus management. It provides all the necessary information regarding the real statistics of the pandemic worldwide and within the United Arab Emirates. The app also provides a self-awareness kit and information about COVID-19 Symptoms, how you can prevent yourself from it and what treatments can be adopted to reduce the risk and offer health services and support to the patients.
2. Upon arrival in UAE, travelers’ have to show their test results or carry out a re-test if required. The test will also be repeated for the tourist who exhibits COVID symptoms. Those who test positive must quarantine for 14 days. Travelers will be asked to quarantine in hotels, at homes, or in the hospitals depending on their choice. The cost of the treatment and isolation must be bored by the tourist.
3. All UAE hotels are advised to follow strict safety measures. Guests must wear face masks all the time except when in the pool, eating, or exercising. Restaurants have introduced contactless menus and serve diners who will serve you meal while following the safety guidelines as prescribed by the WHO.
4. The public transports including metros, taxis, and buses in UAE are also back and running. The tourists are allowed to use them for traveling purposes however, they must follow social distancing. Cash transactions must be avoided and passengers must use apps to make payments. Passengers can also book their ride directly through CAREEM APP. the fare will be automatically deducted from passengers’ debit or credit card.
5. At the restaurant’s tourists are allowed to remove their masks. Restaurants will serve food in single-use cutlery and plates. Restaurants are strictly ordered to place tables 2 meters apart to ensure social distancing. Buffets are open but the food will be served by the staff. Sharing food or touching utensils is forbidden.
6. All tourist attractions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now open but with strict guidelines. Water parks are open with 50% capacity. All guests are staff have to undergo thermal check, wear gloves, and face masks all the time. Rides, slides, showers, and locker rooms are also open. Sanitization of all these places is being carried out from time to time to ensure safety and health.

The writer is the Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad

By Cdre(r) Dr Anjum Sarfraz^*

Kashmir is termedas ‘jugular vein’ of Pakistan as all majorrivers originate from there. The agricultural prosperity, and power generation of the country is dependent on the waters of these rivers. It is an unfinished agenda of partition. By 15 August 1947, all the 600 princely states except Junagarh, Hyderabad, and state of Jammu &Kashmir had acceded to either Pakistan or India on the principle underlying the partition of British India, that Muslim majority states to joinPakistan and non-Muslim majority states to join India.According to book of S.M. Bruke, Pakistan’s Foreign Policy (p 17-27) the state of Jammu&Kashmir, popularly known as Kashmir had overall 78% Muslims, but in the valley of Kashmir Muslims were 93%. The ruler was Maharaja Hari Singh a Hindu. He initially wanted Kashmir to become independent but it was not possible as per partition rules.India sent its troops to Kashmir and occupied in October 47. In accordance with partition rules the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir should have been part of Pakistan. The first war between India andPakistan over Kashmir was fought 1947/48. India approached the United Nations asking to intervene. The United Nations recommended holding a plebiscite to settle the question of whether the state would join India or Pakistan which have not yet taken place.  Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) was given special status within the Indian constitution, which guaranteed that it would have independence over everything except communications, foreign affairs, and defense. This special status (article 370 of Indian constitution) was revoked by the Indian government on 5 August 2019.A meeting of the members of Security council was held in mid-August to discuss the Kashmir issue at the request of Pakistan. After the close door meeting, China’s Ambassador Jun Zhang told reporters that Council members feel that India and Pakistan should both stop from any unilateral action over Kashmir. The factthat Kashmir issue was discussed in the highest diplomatic forum of the world is testimony to Pakistan’s point of view that this is an international dispute. Since then India has imposed locked down in Kashmir and continuously committing atrocities on the residents. Pakistan government is highlighting these aspects at every forum. Pakistani citizens should also expose Indians by whatever means available about the illegal occupation of Kashmir and mayhems being committed on the inhabitants. In short Kashmir is a major dispute which has yet to be resolved between India and Pakistan. It is considered main hindrance for normalization of relations. Border skirmishes take place on the Line of Control(LOC) frequently.

In early January 1965, dispute of Rann of Kutch emerged. According toAbdul Sattarbook, Pakistan’s Foreign Policy (p102-105), India contested 3,500 milesarea north of 24 degreesparallel. Fighting flared up in April. British government persuaded both sides to agree to cease fire which took place on 1 May. later on the issue was resolved by a Tribunal. Keeping this in view, Pakistan Navy (PN) was ready for any more eventuality.  In the next few months PN units remained extra alert and went to sea frequently. Had embarked fuel, ammunition and stores for war. In the meantime, operation Gibraltar was executed by the Army in early August 1965 calling for incursions by Kashmiri volunteers into IOK. It was assumed that large scale Indian offensive is not likely. But India launched an offensive on the international border on 6 Sep with the objective to capture Lahore.Hence all-out war commenced, India as aggressor.According to Jane’s fighting Ships of 1965-66, PN had a cruiser, a submarine and 7 destroyers(DDs)/ frigates (FFs), whereas India had an Aircraft carrier, two cruisers, and 19 DDs/ FFs. Indian Navy (IN) had considerable numerical superiority. Correct ratio between the two navies cannot be determined because PN did not have Aircraft Carrier, it may be assessed as 1:5.According to the book Story of the Pakistan Navy (p216-20), role assigned to PN was Sea word defense of Pakistan, keep sea lines of communication open, interdiction of shipping, thwart amphibious landing and assist army in the riverine operations in former East Pakistan.India had deployed an Aircraft carrier,2 cruises and 14 DDs/ FFs on the East coast and 5 DDs/ FFs on their West coast. PN Submarine Ghazi was deployed off Bombay area to sink heavy units of INthat is Aircraft Carrier Vikrant and two heavy cruisers, Delhi and Mysore. She sailed on 2 Sep and was in her patrol area off Bombay on 5 Sep.  Vikrant and Delhi were refitting in Bombay. Mysore was operational in Cochin harbor. It was assessed that Mysore will move north towards Bombay but it never left Cochin area.PN received message about starting of hostilities by India at 0630 on 6 Sep. PN units were preparing to leave harbor at 0800 for weekly exercise program and left harbor before 0800 and moved towards their assigned patrol stations. Naval control of shipping organization was activated to effectively control merchant ships. An embargo was declared on all merchant ships carrying war like stores to India. The river routes used by Indian steamers transiting through former E Pak were sealed. Orders were issued to seize all such vessels and their cargo. All these action were taken swiftly in order to inflict severe losses to the enemy in terms of valuable cargo, ships and river craft. In the afternoon of 7 Sep while the Task force comprising cruiser Babur and six destroyers and frigateswas on patrol, orders were issued to carry out bombardment of Dwarkafrom a distance as close as of 5.5 nautical miles. The main objective was to destroy radar station, to draw heavy IN units out of Bombay for Ghazi to attack, lower morale of Indians, and to divert Indian air effort away from northern area close to Karachi.The city of Dwarka was completely blacked out.Bombardment was started about 30 minutes past midnight and completed in five minutes. Each ship fired 50 rounds. The Task Group safely arrived on its patrol station at 0630 on 8 Sep after successfully completing the mission. IN ships did not come outeven after bombardment therefore, Ghazi was assigned patrol off the Indian Kutch coast. On 22 Sep she managed to get an IN frigate as its target. She carried out attack with four torpedoes at 7: 11 pm. The commanding officer, commander K R Niazi (retired as CNS) and second in command Lt Commander Ahmad Tasnim (retired as Vice Admiral) got gallantry awards Sitara e Jurrat (SJ).Hardly any movement of IN unit was observed in the North Arabian Sea and in the Bay of Bengal during the entire 16 days war. The PN had achieved Sea Control (establishment of naval superiority in areas where operations were intended to be conducted) of North Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal in the classic sense. However, the government accepted the cease fire on 22 September. The PN task force remained at sea till 27 Sep to meet any contingency. ThePN dominated the IN which was about 5 times more in strength by her superior training, planning, foresight, and courageous execution of operations.

*Cdre (R) Dr Anjum Sarfraz is former Director National Center for Maritime Policy Research and Senior Research Fellow at Strategic Vision Institute Islamabad

Written by RabiaNazir

Pakistan’s strategic deterrence overturned Indian sentiments by retaliating on all geographical frontiers, ground, air and sea. 6^th September, 1965 is one of those golden days etchedin Pakistan’shistory when the military forces remarkably and courageously countered theiradversaries. Each year, the day is commemorated as a reminiscence of the sacrifices rendered by brave soldiers in the 1965 war with series of events. The events that took place on that historic day to justify the rationality behind celebrating 6^th September as an act of valorincountry’s history.

With the frequent and multipleskirmishes in the Rann of Kutch of Southern Pakistan, Lahore, Sialkot, the deserted area of Sindh and Kashmir border where Indian warmongering postures escalated. India played its card beyond war ethics by crossing the borderlines and attacked on the East Pakistan border without consent or warning. The Indian attacks were given befitting response by Pakistan armed forces vulnerable for Indian armed forces; the abrupt retort gave a lesson to India. One of the valiant soldiers, Major Aziz Bhatti mounted against in the defense of the strategically vital BRB canal and to move forward with his platoon under ceaseless artillery and tankattacks for five days and nights. Correspondingly, on the same day, Indian 15^th Division was admonished by the Pakistan armed division and infantry division to vacatefrom their starting point. Along with that, Pakistan conquest in abolishing around 120 tanks of India in the Battle of Chawindaresulted in victory of Pakistan. The factors precedethat; Pakistan Army maintains being an honorable and virtuous against the adversaries whether how much the audacity our enemy has. Never had, Pakistan army ever hesitated to fight in the battles like these from India’s front. Rather than that, remembering the Defense day provokes our Pakistan Army to confront the challenges with dynamism, vivaciously, zeal and valiantly. In addition to that, intelligence is also a mechanism to dismantle the enemy’s deception which was also observed in the time of 1965 at all fronts by Pakistan.

In this regard, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) attributed in a responsible manner by demolishing numerous Indian aircraft on ground and aerial warfare.With the patriotism of Pakistan armed forces, the courageous and valiant Flight Lieutenant Yunus Husain fought in the battle ground against 6 adversaries and successfully brought down 2 of Indian pilots. In the interim, when Squadron Leader Sarfraz Ahmad Rafiqui formation of F-86 aircraft attacked Halwara airfield, his formation was intercepted by a larger number of Indian army intervened.He rejected to withdraw from conflicted area and as an alternative he ordered No.2 to amalgamate as a leader and keep the engagement alive. This indicates that even though the circumstances were hostile but PAF coped up to encounter the threat against all odds.Furthermore, it is evident that Pakistan armed forces responded in the credible modus operandi which signifies the valor and professionalism of PAF.

As for the Pakistan Navy (PN), the first Pakistani submarine known as Ghazi, designated during 6^th September. The Ghazi was ordered for surveillance at the Bombay Harbor which was surrounded by Indian warship known as Vikrant. In order to secure Pakistan’s coast, Ghazi’s audacious performance was meant to be effective by scrutinizing the heavier units of India rather small vessels. From where Indian warships did not have the courage to run the gauntlet, meanwhile Pakistan Navy was suppressing the Indian fleet.The exemplary success of Operation Dwarka in the wake of 1965-Pakistan-India War was one such incident which became proud part of history of Pakistan. In the heat of war, Indian Navy was focusing mainly at West Pakistan which compelled Pakistan to ensure security of its maritime boundaries in the Arabian Sea as well as Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) for uninterrupted trade and commercial activities along with the inland water defence in the creek areas and estuaries of West and East Pakistan against potential Indian amphibious assaults. Essentially these were the tasks successfully being undertaken by Pakistan Navy with comparatively inferior logistics and naval technology than India. In those challenging days, Operation Dwarka emerged as symbol of perseverance and professional capabilities of Pakistan Navy despite all hurdles and naval power imbalance. It was not only a naval mission but had different aspects too. It was beginning of the formal naval warfare between Pakistan and India with a roaring success of Pakistan Navy as preamble to future of naval developments. It acquired the objectives as success of the operation left India licking its wounds and no retaliatory air, naval or amphibious assault was undertaken by Indian forces on the coastline after that. The operation also proved a litmus test for operational preparedness, coordination, and precision of Pakistan Navy as it followed the given plan and achieved its targets including destruction of radar and other city installations, and it was instructed and made sure that no radio communication would be administered which was followed fully. Above all Operation Dwarka lowered the morale of Indian Navy significantly and even one Indian warship INS-Mysore which was stationed close-by at Cochin did not respond to the assault launched by Pakistan Navy.

In the existing contingency, Defense day commemoration witnessesthe encroachment of Indian submarine during March 2019,crossing Pakistan’s territorial waters. Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering about 290,000 Sq. Km inclusive of extended continental shelf of 50,000 Sq. Km which was approved by United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) in 2015, which identifies that the territorial waters and seabed are not liable for India to enter. In retaliation, Pakistan detected the Indian submarine with their superior skills of Pakistan Navy by a thwarted meddling of Indian vessel. By evaluating the fact, both manifestations validate the victory of Pakistan in a systematic order with repository facet.

Accurate and compassionate harmony against the adversaries entails Pakistan to craft national cohesion with one agenda. Although Pakistan policies against India have always been prerequisite but Indian malign aggression without any doubt is anticipated at every inducement. Undoubtedly, Pakistan military has invariably showed beyond doubts vis-à-vis to their skills inheritances, however, apart from their capabilities in nuclear weaponsacquisition. The strategic deterrence of Pakistan will always be on stake, therefore, theconspiracies has to be castigated with Indian aggression against the coherence of the Pakistan and human violations. Any catastrophe against Pakistan military who tend tarnish the façade should be reprimanded. Furthermore, Defense day is still a victory of Pakistan military and Pakistan itself by thwarting the nefarious andchicanery actions of India in every war.

Written by ZubedaAnjumNiazi

As nation states and empires grow, the possibility of war and friction between two states also increases. A close scrutiny of history makes it obvious that war between states has been a perpetually widespread phenomenon. Nations go to war because of historical enmity and antagonism, resources and territorial conflicts as well as in self-defense against an aggressor. Indubitably war shapes the strategic culture of a nation and plays an important role in defining the future course. The South Asian region is dominated by the aggressive designs and war mongering predilections of India as is evident by the Indian hostilities in Kashmir. India and Pakistan, the arch rivals and key players of the region, share a history of many wars, conflicts and stand-offs.

A history of persistent border altercations and conflict over Kashmir fulminated in the form of an all-out war between Pakistan and India in 1965. Although, the conflict began with Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar, it all snowballed when India launched an offensive on Pakistan by crossing the international borders without a formal declaration of war. Consequently, the whole nation formed a cohesive unit with the brave soldiers to defeat the Indian Army. The military and the people of Pakistan stood united in the face of India’s belligerence for the defense of the country, ergo the 6th of September is a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan and is celebrated to honor and pay a tribute to the Armed Forces and martyrs of the war.

Pakistan observes the Defense day on the 6th of September every year to commemorate the day when its armed forces successfully rebuffed the offensive launched by the Indian forces in the 1965 war. A series of events and military parades are organized on this day with the aim to remember the heroes. The 1965 war featured one of the largest engagement of battle tanks ever since the World War II and lasted seventeen days causing many casualties, nevertheless the Pakistani nation defended its state with their inherent resilience. Hostilities between the two rivals ended with a ceasefire declared because of international intervention and the subsequent Tashkent Declaration. The war is an epic example where the tri-forces of Pakistan defended their state with courage and valor, forcing the enemy to retreat. The operational preparedness and battle readiness of the country successfully deflected India’s aggression and unleashed the potential of the Pakistani Armed Forces.

The war of Ran of Kutch in the Spring of 1965, Operation Grand Slam and Operation Gibraltar led to the culmination of the 1965 war which was fought on three fronts necessitating the complete involvement of Pakistan Navy, Army and Air force. The 1965 Indo-Pak war is an extraordinary illustration of an integrated land and air battle. Pakistan Air Force proved its might by swiftly retaliating and providing support to Pakistan Army in the Chamb sector. Pakistan Air Force’s air strike on the Pathankot’sIndian Air Force base has been classified as the most successful air raids of the contemporary history by the historians and defense analysts of both sides. It is lauded by experts as a surprise as well as a precise air raid that produced the desired results and destroyed many Indian aircrafts on the ground along with damaging the Air Traffic Control building. Nevertheless, following the momentous hit on Pathankot, Indian MiG-21s were not seen in the air for the remaining span of the 1965 War.

Pakistan Army had both a numerical advantage in tanks, as well as better equipment overall when compared to the Indian Army’s. The tank battles fought between the area of Chawindaand Charwa and during the Lahore Offensive, were the most influential land battles of the war. Initially, though the Indians were close to victory but in the last stages Pakistan Army wrestled the victory from its rival by practicing optimum level of professionalism. The Chawinda Battle is an accomplishment of Pakistan Army that exemplifies the effectiveness and fervor of the military to defend its homeland. Besides Pakistan Army and Air Force, Pakistan Navy also played an indispensible role in defeating the foe by becoming a nightmare on the naval front. Operation Dwarka marked the first use of Pakistan Navy in the war, including destruction of Indian Radar system, is an explicit example of Pakistan naval personnel’s professional dedication and commitment involved. PNS Ghazi, the only submarine in the conflict theatre was deployed to stake out the Bombay harbor and attack heavy ships of the Indian Navy. PNS Ghazi’s blockade proved effective and besieged the Indian fleet including its only aircraft carrier Vikrant, which facilitated the Pakistani fleet to carry out Operation Dwarka without a glitch.The psychological fear of Ghazi cramped their operational maneuvers and did not effectively mobilized their surface ships at sea.

Having transcendence in operational preparedness, Pakistan navy is no less at meeting the regional and international maritime security obligations. Post 9/11 maritime security operations were being conducted in Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean Region, Pakistan Navy being part of Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan under UN mandate, has actively participated in maritime security and counter-piracy operations. Though a small naval force, Pakistan Navy’s share has remained highest at maritime security campaign after United States. Enhancing these initiatives further, Pakistan Navy instituted Regional Maritime Security Patrols (RMSP), an initiative to continue support to uphold international efforts in the region. The main purpose to establish RSMP, is to ensure maritime security at sea for protection of domestic and international trade. Thus, contribution at large is the manifest projection of Pakistan as a state shouldering regional and international maritime commitments.Pakistan Navy has always exhibited audacity whenever it comes to defending its sea borders. Despite of being numerically less, has remained fully capable of thwarting any aggressive move by the Indian Navy, as exemplified in 1965 war.

To conclude, Pakistani Armed forces successfully deflected the attack launched by India along with protecting the lives of thousands of civilians and their homes. Defense day is a day to vow that Pakistani nation will not be intimidated by any enemy and will always stand by and support its Armed Forces by honoring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives and acknowledging the courage, fighting spirit and tactical expertise of the Armed forces.

ZubedaAnjumNiazi can be contacted at [email protected]

Written by Faisal Nadeem

Since the independence of Pakistan in August 1947, the country has faced a major external threat in the form of its eastern neighbour i.e. India. Indian leadership could not digest the creation of Pakistan and had a false belief that Pakistan will merger with India within six months of its creation. However, history bears witness the fact that the country stood steadfast despite a number of internal and external challenges. 6 September 1965 marks an important landmark in the seven decades of Pakistan’s history. It is the day of reckoning when Pakistan Armed Forces with the support of entire nation thwarted Indian designsof invading Pakistan by cross international border. This piece revisits the contribution of Pakistan Armed Forces during the 1965 War and attempts to study the evolution of war fighting capabilities of Pakistan Army (PA), Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy (PN) in subsequent decades.

During the 1965 war, Pakistan faced an enemy which was militarily superior to itat least three or four times in size and have quantitative superiority in military resources. However, military superiority is not a decisive factor on the battlefield. Instead, strategic maneouvering with efficient use of military resourcesplays a pivotal rolein a war. Pakistan Armed Forces fought with this approach in the 1965 war against Indian Armed Forces.In aerial combat, Pakistan Air Force (PAF)maintained a stunning superiority over the Indian Air Force, which was six times in size of PAF and equipped with modern fighters. PAF chief Nur Khan himself flew the first sortie to engage Indian jets. Squadron Leader M MAlam stunned his Indian counterparts by downing their nine jets and damaging two others, five of which were shot down in global record of one bout. Five decades down the line, this individual feat of valour remains unmatchable. The war also manifested an excelled air-ground coordination between Pakistan Army and PAF. Many crucial land operations achievements without not have materialized without the synergized efforts of Pakistan Army and PAF.

On naval front, numerical constrained Pakistan Navy conducted a number of operations for creating strategic deterrence and offering a befitting response to Indian Navy. The prowess exhibited by PN ensured that Pakistani waters and sea lanes remain operational for ships coming to Pakistani ports. Operation Dwarka by Pakistan Navy caused India significant loss in the form of radar system destruction. Additionally, Pakistan Navy submarine Ghazi was tasked to engage INS Vikrant and INS Mysore at Bombay harbour and halt their movements. In subsequent decades, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy have evolved their warfighting capabilities with the passage of time. The sinking of Indian warship Kukri during 1971 war and detection of Indian naval submarines following Uri and Pulwama-Balakot military standoff manifest professional acumen of Pakistan Navy in addition to effective employment strategy.

The shift in the global landscape due to globalization and technological advancements demanded both forces to enhance their capacity building to make a fair share of contribution in regional and international security. Following the tragic 9/11 attacks, global security landscape evolved with Islamist terrorism gaining prominent importance. From 2002 onwards, the Pakistani military launched a number of military operations to flush out terrorists from tribal areas. The gains made in the war against terrorism were achieved despite the presence of several challenges like difficult terrain, misrepresentation of the concept of Jihad and significant human and economic losses. For ensuring international peace and stability, Pakistan continues to remain one of the top contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. Nearly 160 personnel have lost their lives in this noble cause.

In the post-9/11 scenario, as part of the UN-mandated Maritime Campaign Plan, PN actively participated in maritime security and counter-piracy operations. After the US Navy, the Pakistani Navy has a dominant share at maritime security despite numerically less in size. The plan ensured that maritime zones of the region are excluded from piracy threats. Furthermore, PN instituted Regional Maritime Security Patrols for continuous support to regional maritime security and protection of domestic and international trade. For protecting trade activities to be conducted along maritime route pertaining to CPEC, PN established Task Force 88 (TF-88). TF-88 is tasked for maritime security of Gwadar port and protection of associated sea lanes against both conventional and non-traditional threats.

The recent reunification of Islamist terror groups and ethno-nationalist militant outfits emerge as new threats for Pakistan’s internal security landscape. Coupled with internal security threats, the evolving security landscape in Pakistan’s neighbourhood demands that Pakistan Armed Forces continue to enhance their capacity building and prepare an effective response against both internal and external threats.