Sohail A. Azmie

On 9 May 2024, PNS Yarmook, while on a routine maritime security patrol in the North Arabian Sea heard a distress call from a vessel. The ship searched and tracked the boat in crisis and responded promptly. When Yarmook reached the scene of the incident, a boat was found engulfed in flames while the embattled crew was all overboard. It was an Iranian fishing vessel with nine people, who had the unfortunate accident nearly consuming the lives of all hands. Yarmook rescued the crew, extinguished the fire and brought them to safety. In February 2024, in another rescue operation, nine Indian seamen aboard a stranded ocean tug at 167 nautical miles southeast of Karachi, were rescued. There have been, and probably, will be countless such operations necessitating the Pakistan Navy’s, what I call the pragmatic first responder capability to bring into action.

The navies, in fact are natural first responders, as these operate in a medium, that inherently is international in character affording maritime operations under the UN Convention on Law of the Sea, 1982. The sea provides reach, flexibility and ability to remain poised to the naval forces, without legal complexities and violation of sovereignty of other states. Air and land may be restricted for the passage of men and material, but the sea remains open even in a contested environment. This allows the navies to respond to domestic and international crises with speed and effectiveness. When it comes to ‘sea-land binary,’ we know that the activities at sea are too tightly connected with what happens over land as the situation in Palestine and Yemen signifies to this fact. This is exactly what Julian Corbett posited in 1910s that at the core of a maritime strategy was to ‘influence events at land’ by acting at or from the sea.

When it comes to our part of the world, the Arabian Sea is of an immense geostrategic significance. Today it, arguably, has the largest presence of international navies and is surrounded by regions replete with conflicts and crises of diverse nature. The Arabian Sea has been witnessing an enhanced international footprint post-9/11, where the concerns of terrorism, piracy, narco-smuggling and gun running are feared high. Coupled with these sub-conventional threats and challenges in the Arabian Sea, the non-traditional threats have also been becoming conspicuous, which include but are not limited to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, non-combatant evacuation and ensuring maritime security. Under such an operating environment, the navies have to play roles beyond traditional warfighting and defence of maritime frontiers.

Pakistan Navy, as part of its ‘military operations other than war’ construct has articulate response mechanics for non-traditional and sub-conventional threats. This requires the Navy’s capacity to smoothly perform its roles from benign to constabulary roles. It is always in a ‘ready mode’ to transition across the roles, which means the gear, the human resource and the doctrinal clarity are always there empowering it to be the pragmatic first responder, irrespective of the task, the time and the locale at sea. The Navy was one of the first in the region to reach Mersin, Turkiye and Latakia, Syria to assist devastating earthquake victims in March 2023. PN ships Moawin and Nasr were ready to sail carrying massive relief goods within days of issuing instructions from the Government.

In the catastrophic Tsunami of 2004, PNS Tariq was among the first naval ships to reach the Maldives and assist in rescue operations. Tariq was able to save 377 tourists within a short time. Later on, PN ships Moawin and Khaibar sailed from Karachi with substantial relief goods and field hospital equipment for humanitarian assistance operations in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The Navy remains the frontline responder in domestic crises as well. Its role in Cyclone Yemyin, 2007; Cyclone Phet and Super Floods, 2010; and Floods, 2022, was particularly noteworthy. The Navy rescued thousands of people, provided medical relief and built shelters for the children and the homeless.

In June 2011, PN ships Babur and Zulfiquar, in a joint operation rescued MV Suez from the Somali pirates and brought the entire crew back home to safety. Though MV Suez sank because of the number of safety-related incidents human lives were saved. In April 2015, PN ships Zulfiqar and Aslat were deployed to rescue civilians from the war-ravaged zones of Yemen. The ships, acting with exceptional professional acumen and operational brilliance, were able to pull hundreds of people of various nationalities including eleven Indians. This had a positive impact on Pakistan-India relations.

From 2019 to 2022, Pakistan Navy undertook three distinct missions to circumvent Africa, with an objective to deliver relief goods to various African nations suffering from famine and natural disasters. PN ships Moawin, Nasr and Alamgir were tasked to sail from the Suez Canal to go around Africa and assist the African people in whatever way possible. PNS Nasr, in particular carried well over 1000 tons’ food items to Benin and Niger in 2020 when these countries have had severe shortage of basic essentials to sustain human life. This unique feat hasn’t been done before and Pakistan Navy can rightly claim the title of being the ‘first responder’ beyond its traditional operational space, the Arabian Sea.

Apart from rendering humanitarian assistance, Pakistan Navy has the core job of ‘preserving freedom of seas,’ which is its guiding doctrinal creed. The Navy believes in working in a ‘cooperative continuum,’ where on one hand it ensures stable order in its on its own, and on the other it works in collaborative constructs so that our seas remain safe and secure for maritime activities. Domestically, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency work through a joint collaborative mechanism that seeks to keeping the North Arabian Sea crime-free. On several occasions, drug smugglers, human traffickers and poachers have been captured or their attempts thwarted, thereby preserving good order at sea.

Cumulatively, the humanitarian work and maritime security operations indicate that Pakistan Navy is the primary force to arrive at the scene of maritime emergencies or crises, not just in the Arabian Sea but at other locations in the Indian Ocean and beyond. As a Pragmatic First Responder, Pakistan Navy has provided and will continue to provide swift assistance, rescue and relief operations to protect lives, secure vessels and ensure the safety of life at sea, often before the arrival of other national or international support. This spirit truly makes Pakistan Navy not just a capable player in the Indian Ocean but, as Ken Booth asserts a true torch bearer of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

(The writer is an Islamabad-based researcher. His areas of interest include: Maritime Security, Climate Change and astropolitics).

Dr. Muhammad Akram zaheer

In 2022, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine, primarily driven by its concern over what it perceived as a growing threat from NATO. Moscow feared that Ukraine’s increasing closeness with NATO could lead to a scenario where NATO forces might use Ukraine as a base to launch attacks against Russia. To preempt this perceived threat, Russia decided to act quickly and aggressively. The Russian government believed that Ukraine was weak and internally divided. They assumed that a swift invasion would quickly overpower Ukrainian defenses, leading to the collapse of the Ukrainian government and the subsequent occupation of the country by Russian forces. Moscow expected that this operation would be over in a matter of days or weeks, allowing Russia to assert the United States or NATO could mount control over Ukraine before any significant response. Time was a critical factor in Russia’s strategy. The longer the conflict continued, the greater the risk that Western powers might intervene, either directly or indirectly, to support Ukraine. This would complicate Russia’s military objectives and potentially turn the invasion into a much larger and more dangerous confrontation with NATO. Therefore, the Russian government planned for a short, decisive campaign, anticipating that a quick victory would minimize the chances of Western intervention. However, Russia severely underestimated the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian forces and the Ukrainian people. Instead of folding quickly under pressure, Ukraine mounted a strong and effective defense, stalling the Russian advance and turning the conflict into a prolonged and costly war. The initial assumptions made by Moscow about Ukraine’s weakness proved to be incorrect and the Russian military found itself bogged down in a drawn-out conflict that it had not planned for. This miscalculation has had significant consequences for Russia. The war has dragged on much longer than anticipated, leading to heavy losses in both manpower and resources. The Russian government has been forced to deal with the economic and political fallout of a war that has become increasingly unpopular at home. Moreover, the extended conflict has given the United States and NATO more time to provide military aid and support to Ukraine, further complicating Russia’s military objectives. Despite these challenges, Russia believed it still held one critical advantage on the battlefield. While it may have struggled to achieve its strategic goals, Moscow maintained that it could still dominate the tactical aspects of the war. In other words, even if Russia could not dictate the overall direction of the conflict, it could still control the day-to-day fighting. By doing so, Russia aimed to keep Ukrainian forces on the defensive, preventing them from launching successful counterattacks. This strategy seemed to work for some time, but the situation changed dramatically when Ukrainian forces launched a significant offensive last week in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. This move by Ukraine indicates a shift in the dynamics of the conflict, showing that Ukrainian forces are not only capable of defending their territory but also taking the fight into Russian territory. This development marks a significant escalation in the conflict and suggests that the war may enter a new, potentially more dangerous phase.

          Ukraine’s ability to invade Russian territory remains somewhat mysterious. In military operations, certain actions are often deemed impossible, leading to complacency. Russia may have fallen into this pattern, particularly given its history of intelligence failures. When Russia initially launched its invasion of Ukraine, it relied on flawed intelligence and a similar oversight could explain how Ukraine managed to carry out its own offensive. Russia’s recent reliance on North Korea and Iran for additional weaponry further indicates potential vulnerabilities. Ukraine might have recognized this dependence as a moment of weakness, understanding the risks of relying on unstable foreign supply chains and admitting to a shortage of weapons. The exact reasons behind Ukraine’s invasion are less critical than the fact that it successfully executed such an operation. What is particularly noteworthy is how the world learned about this event. The invasion likely occurred on August 6, yet Ukraine maintained operational secrecy for several days until President VolodymyrZelenskyy publicly addressed it on August 10. During this period, the Ukrainian military remained silent, even as they were actively moving. This level of operational discipline is impressive, especially for an army often regarded as brave but not always highly effective. The success of this operation will undoubtedly boost the morale of both Ukrainian soldiers and civilians, reinforcing their resilience in the face of adversity. On the other side, it is puzzling why Moscow chose to announce the attack on its territory, given that for the past two years, Russia has intentionally cultivated an atmosphere of confusion regarding the war. One plausible explanation is that the Russian government recognized the public’s growing fatigue with the conflict and increasing skepticism towards government narratives. In light of these concerns, the Kremlin might have decided that transparent reporting could better manage public perception. Public opinion is a critical factor in any conflict, but it holds particular importance in this war, where Russia’s citizens appear uncertain about the war’s justification and execution.

Ukraine’s successful invasion of Russian territory highlights significant intelligence and strategic missteps by Russia. Ukraine’s ability to keep the operation under wraps for several days demonstrates its growing military discipline and strategic acumen. The impact on morale in Ukraine is likely to be profound, while Russia faces the challenge of maintaining public support for a war that seems increasingly questionable to its citizens. The unfolding dynamics of this conflict will continue to shape the region’s future, with both military actions and public perception playing crucial roles in the outcome.

Qamar Bashir

Twelve years ago, I visited China as a participant in a Seminar on Press and Publication for Developing Countries, alongside participants from over twenty nations. During our month-long training and informative visit, we toured many leading organizations, departments, and industrial undertakings. At that time, China was still grappling with the challenge of opening up to the world while maintaining its one-party structure and socialist ideals, all while striving for nationwide progress and development.

In the industrial sector, we observed strict government control. Although industrial and manufacturing processes had begun to improve, the focus was still largely on quantity rather than quality. However, it was evident that the leadership recognized the need to adopt modern management and administrative methods. These practices were just starting to take root in the industrial sector but had not yet reached the desired level of effectiveness.

To accelerate progress and create a highly skilled workforce capable of transforming the industrial and manufacturing sectors, the government established numerous institutes across the country to teach English at the school level. Additionally, they began sending hundreds of thousands of students to universities in the US and Europe to acquire critical knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities necessary for modernizing Chinese enterprises.

At that time, the organizations we visited used conventional methods to present their performance, focusing primarily on numbers without emphasizing customer satisfaction, quality control, employee value, or creating an enabling environment for optimal employee performance. There was little emphasis on streamlining industrial and manufacturing processes to achieve high quality and product durability.

After twelve years, upon returning to China, we observed two significant changes. The most important was the government’s recognition of the critical need to develop high-quality human resources, starting from the grassroots level. The government rightly understood that all state resources should be directed toward empowering and educating the people. Their goal was to ensure that the populace was happy, confident, knowledgeable, and highly skilled. This approach would not only enhance the quality, style, and dignity of work processes but also enable each skilled individual to create more wealth and contribute higher taxes, ultimately enriching the state.

With increased financial resources, the state would gain the financial space necessary to further invest in human resource development. As the state becomes wealthier and more prosperous, it would earn respect, dignity, and value in the international community. This financial space could then be used to secure raw materials from around the world and invest in research and development, fostering a culture of innovation that would allow China to compete globally by producing high-quality products that rival those of other nations.

Over the past decade, China has significantly increased its investment in developing high-quality human capital, aiming to make its people happier and more prosperous. In education, spending rose from USD 349 billion in 2013 (4% of GDP) to USD 870 billion in 2023 (5.3% of GDP), with a strong emphasis on vocational training, digital literacy, and STEM education to create a more skilled and adaptable workforce. Healthcare investment similarly grew from USD 357 billion (5.5% of GDP) to USD 1.1 trillion (7% of GDP), focusing on improving access to modern healthcare services, addressing public health challenges, and ensuring better overall well-being. Additionally, the widespread adoption of WeChat has revolutionized how people meet their obligations toward the government and manage everyday tasks, from making purchases to accessing public services, further enhancing convenience and efficiency in daily life. China’s per capita income also saw a substantial increase, rising from approximately USD 7,000 in 2013 to over USD 12,000 in 2023, reflecting the overall improvements in living standards and economic prosperity driven by these investments.

The second major transformation in China over the past decade has been the adoption of ultramodern management, administration, and marketing practices across all companies, corporations, and bodies, whether in the government or private sector. Ten years ago, many Chinese companies were primarily focused on manufacturing and cost efficiency, often lagging behind in advanced management practices and innovation. However, by 2023, these companies have evolved into world-class entities, rivaling top-notch global competitors.

In 2013, China’s corporate sector was still emerging on the global stage, with many companies struggling to adopt best practices in customer focus, quality assurance, and innovation. The emphasis was largely on scale and production capacity rather than high-quality management. Research and development (R&D) spending by Chinese companies was around 2% of GDP, with most of it concentrated in state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

By 2023, China’s corporate sector has undergone a dramatic transformation. Companies across the board have embraced best management practices, such as customer-centric strategies, rigorous quality assurance, aggressive marketing, and extensive automation. The corporate R&D spending has surged to 2.5% of GDP, with private companies playing a significant role. This shift has resulted in Chinese companies rising to the ranks of world-class firms, competing fiercely in global markets.

For example, in 2013, China had only two companies in the top 100 of the Fortune Global 500 list. By 2023, this number had grown to 14, with many more companies gaining international recognition for their innovation, quality, and customer focus. Additionally, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI, big data, and automation has further propelled Chinese companies to the forefront of global competition.

This transformation is evident in sectors such as technology, where companies like Huawei and Alibaba have become global leaders, and in automotive, where Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are challenging traditional automakers worldwide.

Pakistan can draw valuable lessons from China’s transformation into a highly efficient, innovation-driven economy. Firstly, shifting focus from an export-led growth model to a more balanced, high-value economy is crucial. This requires upgrading industries to compete globally by adopting best practices in management, quality assurance, and innovation. Government-led initiatives, similar to China’s “Made in China 2025,” can play a pivotal role in guiding this transformation, supported by increased funding for research and development and incentives for private sector growth. Embracing technological advancements, particularly in digital transformation and automation, is essential to enhancing efficiency and global competitiveness. Investing in education, especially in STEM fields, will help create a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation. Additionally, addressing urbanization challenges and meeting rising domestic demand for quality goods can fuel further innovation. Finally, adopting sustainable practices and complying with environmental regulations can give Pakistan a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets. These lessons can help Pakistan build a more resilient, prosperous, and innovation-led economy.

Qamar Bashir

Former Press Secretary to the President

Former Press Minister to the Embassy of Pakistan to France

Former MD, SRBC, CEO, ATV