Pakistan's National Internal Security Policies from 2014 to 2022: Gaps, Challenges, and Prospects

Abstract

The National Internal Security Policy (NISP) was a comprehensive policy document aimed at addressing internal security in Pakistan. It was initiated in 2014 and was based on three pillars: Dialogue, Deterrence, and Isolation. The policy was a response to the destruction caused by terrorism and was developed due to Pakistan's role as a front-line state in the US-led Global War on Terror. Between 2004 and 2014, terrorism caused a loss of 50,000 lives and resulted in a 78 billion dollar loss for Pakistan. This study is a critical and comparative assessment of both NISP I and NISP II policies implemented from 2014-2018 and 2018-2022, respectively. The objectives of the study are to assess the effectiveness of Pakistan's security policies and strategies and to identify any alternatives that may have been available. The study will help to evaluate the current approaches to address any weaknesses. The findings of the study could provide useful insights for policy makers in their efforts to improve the country's internal security situation. The study also aims to identify gaps in the policies from a civilian perspective and both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied.

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