In the year 2023, Pakistan faced challenges on its western border more than the eastern border. In addition to external threats, there were considerable security concerns internally too.
Throughout the concluding year, large-scale intelligence operations were conducted, resulting in killing and capture of scores of militant sympathizers.
According to the data released by the Ministry of Defense, some 15,063 intelligence-based operations were conducted in Balochistan, resulting in the elimination of 109 extremists. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,942 intelligence-based operations were carried out, terminating 447 militants. In Punjab, 190; Gilgit-Baltistan, 14; and Sindh, 1,987 intelligence-based operations were conducted, with 10 militants eliminated in Sindh. In these operations, more than 260 officers and personnel from the Pakistani military, along with nearly a thousand civilians lost their lives.
In the year 2023, along with external challenges, internal challenges remained significant for Pakistan. Political instability gripped the country due to which the volume of propaganda on social media against the security institutions as well as the politicians was enhanced.
On May 9th last year, after the sudden arrest of PTI’s Chairman, there were attacks on defense installations allegedly by political activists throughout the country, resulting in actions against several military officers. Additionally, legal proceedings were initiated against about 102 civilians in military courts. The incident has altered the entire political scenario of the country.
The utmost imperative challenge for the country was the financial problems that the country has been facing since decades. The three past governments in the last five years took the heavy loans from IMF on extremely hard conditions resulting in the excessive price hike of petroleum products, natural gas and electricity due to which a wave of inflation daunted the people badly.
Another big challenge is that terrorist attacks have increased in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This includes the resurgence of the Taliban in Pakistan and the active presence of militant groups in Balochistan.
The active presence of the Taliban in Pakistan on the international border with Afghanistan is a serious issue, which has also had internal effects on the country. Hence, the decision to repatriate illegal Afghan residents has been made.
The other challenge that Pakistan faced in 2923 was the protest demonstration by the youths of Baluchistan for the recovery of the missing people hailed from the province.
The government decided to repatriate the illegal immigrants from the country due to which thousands of Afghan, Bengali and Burmese families were asked to leave the country. The revised policy formulated towards Afghanistan has changed the 50 years old strategic course of the country.
In 2023, considering the deteriorating security situation in the region, effective measures were taken across the country against national defense, safety, and extremism.
In 2023, Pakistan conducted three significant experiments including Fateh-II, Ababeel Weapon System and Ghauri Missile enhancing its defense capabilities.
Though the country faced many challenges in the previous year, it anticipated that political instability would finish after the general elections that are going to be held on 8th February.
As far as the challenge of terrorism is concerned. Due to timely operations conducted by the armed forces it is hoped that the menace of terrorism would be rooted out in 2024.
