As Pakistan navigates the treach­erous waters of regional geo­politics and internal strife, a stark reality has emerged: national security has transcended par­tisan politics to become a collective imperative. The country’s very existence is threatened by an array of dangers—ranging from terrorism and extremism to external interference—making it imperative for politi­cal parties to set aside their differences and forge a united front against these pervasive threats. However, a criti­cal oversight in the manifestos of ma­jor political parties—the lack of a com­prehensive and consensual national security strategy—raises profound concerns about the country’s pre­paredness to address these challeng­es. The recent statements from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s CM Ali Amin regarding Afghanistan and the threats to invade Punjab are just an example of the un­derlying division over matters of na­tional security among the political par­ties of the country. But can Pakistan’s political leadership transcend partisan divides to forge a unified approach to national security before it is too late?

The security situation in Pakistan re­mains complex, shaped by a blend of internal and external threats that en­danger the country’s security. From its border with Afghanistan to the Line of Control and the uptick of terrorism in Balochistan, groups such as the TTP and TLP continue to challenge nation­al security through their militant ac­tivities and ideological extremism. The impact of these groups is felt not only in terms of violence and increased ter­rorism but also through their efforts to destabilise societal norms and gover­nance structures. In light of these secu­rity challenges, where external and in­ternal threats are coupled with issues related to governance, it becomes par­ticularly alarming that most political parties have failed to address national security comprehensively in their man­ifestos. This oversight is not merely a lapse but a potentially catastrophic fail­ure that leaves the........

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