The trends emerging in the 21^st Century security and warfare concepts have brought forth a greater need to understand and connect scholarly perspectives with government and military strategies.

The practice dates back to the World Wars when formal study groups were set up in military bunkers where officials discussed and chalked out approaches to address issues vital to the national interest. Those study groups later matured into think tanks.

When Pakistan witnessed its first wave of brutal terrorism, the military went to war without the support of well-resourced think tanks. In its initial phase of the war against terrorism, the country faced a well-organised enemy that understood the fault lines in the society. Consequently, the military suffered enormous casualties and the national economy dipped.

One of the many reasons why Pakistan was not prepared for a threat of such magnitude was the disengagement between the academic and military discourse.

Research wings within the military set-up were relied upon to deliver readily available research but external assistance was needed. Several think tanks were studying various aspects of terrorism but their output remained confined to certain quarters.

Counterintelligence sections have dedicated research teams that study open-source information, academic work, media reports and corroborate them with their field sources. Academic material helps the intelligence overview the subject they may be dealing with, but facts on the ground keep changing. The academic researchers therefore may not be aware of the evolving circumstances.

A country like Pakistan faces multifaceted challenges that require immediate and comprehensive responses. The long-held notion of security that encircled the previous discourse stalled the development of a comprehensive institutional policy framework that could withstand those challenges. Today the security apparatus requires additional intellectual support to effectively counter unprecedented problems.

To bridge the gap between government institutions and the intellectual community, Pakistan’s National Security Division has grouped five national think tanks to assist the government with policymaking on matters pertaining to existing and emerging threats.

The recently conducted Islamabad Security Dialogue conveyed two important messages. One, that Pakistan is setting new parameters for its national security and foreign policy. Second, that it is gearing up to counter any non-kinetic threat posed to the country.

To bring the research culture at the universities to a level where they can start giving policy recommendations requires teaching the concept of security in a new paradigm. 

The ISD has shown that certain weaknesses in policymaking and the need for varied discourse have been identified and will be addressed. The presence of officials from different institutions showed a newfound determination to set the country on the right course.

This could redefine the role and future of think tanks in Pakistan.

It has been indicated that a cohesive strategic plan is about to be unveiled. The prime minister has announced an advisory portal linking universities to the National Security Division for direct input on policy recommendations. But the culture of research in the country’s higher education sector is weak.

To bring the research culture at the universities to a level where they can start giving policy recommendations requires teaching the concept of security in a new paradigm.

Interdisciplinary studies need to be promoted besides creating employment opportunities for those studying such subjects. Valuable policy recommendations from the universities can only be expected when peer support and tolerance for new ideas are ensured.

The government should consider establishing a School of New Warfare for regular students or individuals interested in pursuing a sound understanding of security and the emerging concepts of warfare, including biological and space warfare.

This will help formulate effective future policies that can be implemented by the departments like the National Security Division. Together with the think tanks and universities, the school can become a regular contributor of policy recommendations to the government. To bring further synergy amongst the stakeholders, an extensive information policy would be required.

The vision put forward by the government must remain at the core of all think tanks’ work. For a country that has become battle hardened following years of fighting terrorism and socio-economic and political instability, new foundations for discourse and policymaking are the need of the hour.

A comprehensive and institutionalised effort to join important segments of the academia and the government will prove the first line of defence against the threats Pakistan is likely to face in the future.

The writer is an independent media and foreign policy analyst. She tweets @MsAishaK