Submitted by Rajab Ali.

Submitted to sir Najam

Subject PCS.
Department L, M, S.
Date of submission
10/7/2020

Topic:
Security threats to Pakistan
1. Traditional security threats.
2. Nontraditional security threats.
Security threats to Pakistan:
Etymologically, security implies the absence of real or perceived threats whether originating from
internal turmoil, external sources, or incumbent economic disparities and inequalities. ... Power and
economic disparities and inequalities are known to be the salient features of the operative international
political system.

Challenges to Pakistan security:

The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious
beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the state” Quaid e Azam Muhmmad Ali Jinnah 
The pivotal concern of Pakistan’s national life is security, both internal and external i.e. country’s
defense from hostile forces from within and without. Pakistan is facing extensive challenges to its
security which have direct linkages to external threats. The vulnerable security of any state is a sweet
dish for major key players of international politics as well as for regional players to secure their
interests.  Nevertheless, rise of terrorism in the aftermath of American attack on Afghanistan in October
2001 has worsened the security situation of the county to an unprecedented degree. Mover over it has
brought a lot of foreign influence in the region but especially in Pakistan because Pakistan has a special
geo-static location in the region.
Pakistan’s security challenges can be categorized in traditional challenges and nontraditional challenges.

As for as traditional challenges are concerned, terrorism remain to be the primary threat to the internal
security of Pakistan. However, crimes do have a strong nexus. Drug cartels, criminal gangs have joined
hands with terrorists for economic gains. Terrorism and crime are the main challenges with hosts of
threats enablers and multipliers as given below.

 Tribalism and feudalism

 Political expediencies
 Weak governed
 Extremism
 Sectarianism
 Neapolitan 
These tradinaltional threats have peculiar manifestation in various regions of Pakistan. It may be noticed
that the main players involved in the internal security environment are polity, clergy, militants, feudal
elite, tribal chieftains and criminal mafias. Foreign players are virtually a rider clause in each case.

One of the most vital regions in which these activates are carried out is Federally Administered Tribal
Areas (FATA). It is the chief boiling point and a source of terrorism in the country. It not only promotes
terrorism in different parts of the country but also a safe heaven for theorists and criminal gangs. The
terrorists of this region are continuously challenging the authority of the government. Tehreek-e-Taliban
Pakistan (TTP) is the chief organization which is operating in these areas and moreover is a composition
of twenty-eight different groups.
Along with the transnationalism TTP, the evidence of foreign player’s intervention in the region has been
noticed various times. The modern weapons and training of these high profile terrorists shows the
participation of foreign players in Pakistani areas.
About 4000 people had been killed in 2012 among which 600 were security personnel and remaining
were civilians.  Terrorists attacked 1485 times on security forces and the security forces arrested 1138
terrorists during 2012. 
The above facts and figures show the vide range activities of terrorists in all the parts of the country and
chiefly in tribal areas.

On the other hand, another region is Baluchistan in which the terrorist’s activities are carried out. This
region has different dynamics of militancy. In Baluchistan, militant groups with some 159 training camps
in various areas of the province (40 are supported by Indian Raw) housing some 2000 to 5000 guerrillas
who are operating hundreds of militant acts. These groups are not only targeting security forces but also
destroying state assets. Militancy in Baluchistan is clearly supported by abroad. Hosts of foreign players
are supporting unrest in the province due to its resources and geo strategic location. Raw is certainly
playing negative role in Baluchistan. It is important to note that former Indian Raw agent B Raman in his
report to Sonia Gandhi in 2009 had written, “The Baloch’s have stood by Mahatma Gandhi and Congress
party during the independence struggle against the British. They had opposed the partition of India and
creation of Pakistan. If India had to be partitioned, they would have preferred an independent
Baluchistan. The Bloch’s were the closes to Gandhi’s heart. Due to reasons of realpolitik, we let them
down during their first war of independence. The same realpolitik would dictate painful inaction by us
now too. But that does not mean we should hesitate to draw the attention of the international
community to the ruthless massacre of the Baloch nationalists by the Pakistan army. We owe our moral
support to them. The struggle for an independent Baluchistan is part of the unfinished agenda of the
partition. 
This was the statement of a former Indian Raw agent but on the other hand Wahid Baloch, president of
Baloch society of North America, in a statement said,

“We love our Indian friends and want them to help and rescue us from tyranny and oppression. In fact,
India is the only country which has shown concern over the Baloch plight. We want India to take
Baluchistan issue to every international forum, the same way Pakistan has done to raise the so-called
Kashmir issue. We want India to openly support our just cause and provide us with all moral, financial,
military and diplomatic support.”
This clearly shows the Indian hand in terrorism in Pakistan. Some scholars also referred to an undeclared
proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the province of Baluchistan. Baluchistan poses a serious
threat to national security, sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan.
Beside these two regions Karachi the economic hub of Pakistan is facing numerous tides of instability.
But Karachi has different dynamics of instability as compared to FATA and Baluchistan. Vital security
issues in Karachi are street crimes, car snatching, burglary, kidnapping and the most critical target killing.
Each act of crime is lamentable and cannot be endorsed. Certainly, more than the crimes, it is
processional religiosity and dirty politics (political mafias) which are responsible for the miserable plight
of Quaid’s city. Different political parties are involved in this dirty game. These political parties are
occupied in different areas of the city. They are involved in killing the opposite members of their rival
panty. They collect money by using force in their dominated areas. This situation has a worse impact
upon the economy of the country because the city generates the lion share of 67% for the national
exchequer and 35% of the GDP.
Processions and law and order situation stops the wheel of industry and according to an estimate one
day procession cost the loss of approximately three to five billion rupees. 
Certainly, Karachi needs a different kind of treatment in internal security campaign of the country.

Beside these areas, Madrassas or religious seminaries too have a role in security related issues in
Pakistan. These Madrassas are promoting extremism because these are teaching purely sect-based
education which results in extremism. This extremism leads to intolerance for other sects. This adds to
extremism in the society. Starting with about 189 in 1947. Pakistan today has thousands of Madrassas
but no one knows the exact number, estimate ranges from 12,000 to 40,000.
According to government records, there are 15,148 Madrassas with more than two million students. 
These Madrassas have approximately 1700 foreign students, 1000 had reportedly left Pakistan.

Sectarian violence is also a serious threat to Pakistan national security. In the recent years Pakistan is
facing sharp sectarian violence. This sectarian violence can be categorized into inter-faith violence and
sectarian violence. The former involves against members of non-Muslims faiths, particularly Ahmadis,
Hindus and Christians, who along with Parses, Sikhs and Buddhists account for fever than 4% of 180
million strong populations.  Sectarian violence on the other hand, unfolds between the two main sects
of Islam, Shias and Sunnis, but violent incidents between the Bravely and Deobandi sub sects of Sunni
Islam are also on rise. The current sectarian violence can be traced to the rise of Pakistani Taliban in the
mid 2000’s. This sectarian violence certainly is the outcome or aftermath of the U.S led war against
terrorism.
Sectarian violence in Pakistan mainly manifests as tit for tat target killing of rival sects. No doubt
sectarian violence is the most dangerous threat to Pakistan’s national security after terrorism.

Another security threat to Pakistan is the deployment of 700000 troops of India in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian troops withdrawal form Kashmir is vital to prevent another Indo-Pak war. The conflicts between
India and Pakistan are a permanent source of threats to national security of both countries. Indian
authorities have been quick to look towards Pakistan as the main cause of India’s internal security issues
such as the attack in Mumbai in November 2008.
On the other hand, Pakistani forces have recovered weapons of Indian origin in operations against non-
state actors in Baluchistan and the Swat valley, suggesting that there has been a serious attempt on the
part of India to destabilize Pakistan internal security.

The ongoing US led war against terrorism in Afghanistan will also have a dramatic effect on Pakistan’s
security. Will this action succeed or will it serve only to push more militants into Pakistan?  Pakistan is
already facing a tough battle against militants in tribal areas, and greater number of militants would add
to the miseries of already fragile security of Pakistan.
As for as nontraditional threats are concerned, water security is the most serious challenge for Pakistan
due to several factors, particularly the increasing pressure of population, massive expansion of tube well
irrigation, reduced levels of precipitation cause by climate change and the melting of glaciers.  India is
also building dames on the rivers that flow in Pakistan and thus the water level in these rivers is
decreasing day by day. Ravi River is almost draining. Some think tanks are arguing that the next possible
war between India and Pakistan would be upon water issue.
With respect to Pakistan another problem in this regard is melting of its glaciers, all of which could
disappear within the next thirty years. For a country that is already facing water stress, this is a terrific
blow.
The second major nontraditional threat to Pakistan’s security is climate change. Climate change will
negatively affect human activities and livelihoods in Pakistan through increasingly frequent extreme
weather events and changes in temperature precipitation. A rise in extreme weather would dangerously
result in number of people killed, injured or made homeless. As early discussed, the large-scale melting
of glaciers due to rise in temperature will result in flooding, soil erosion and wasted drinking water. It
will also result in a permanent water shortage and desertification. 
This desertification and shortage of water will further lead to another nontraditional threat, the
shortage of food. Only eight percent of Pakistan is permanently cropped. Although agricultural sector is
producing sufficient productivity but the growing rate of population and above mentioned dangers of
soil erosion and water shortage will result in food shortage in future if proper attention is not paid to
this issue.

Traditional security threats to Pakistan:

Define:
Traditional security issues are about the threats against the essential values of the state, territorial
integrity, and political sovereignty. ... All such means, as well as the essence of traditional security, are
constantly changing under the impact of technological innovation, new ideas, and political evolution.

Security challenges to Pakistan:

Hybrid warfare is in full swing in Pakistan. A sit-in at Islamabad has become a source of instability for
Pakistan’s international stature in economics, politics and diplomacy. The question of can Pakistan
afford it needs to be analyzed simplistically for identifying tangible threats. The sit-in has to be seen in
the backdrop of international and national happenings over the last three months. With due respect for
all political forces, the sit-in is extremely detrimental to Pakistan’s international demeanor, and poses
security challenges. It seems that Pakistan may suffer from three major drawbacks because of the sit-in
that may tarnish its now refurbished reputation.

Firstly, the Kashmir issue has been affected by the sit-in. India has been smart enough to make the best
use of the political uncertainty in Pakistan. It has successfully diverted the international media’s
attention from IOK where Kashmiris are brutally subjected to atrocities and human rights abuses
through continued curfew for over three months now. Moreover, India has further violated the UNSC
resolutions on Kashmir and officially issued a new political map indicating Ladakh and Jammu as Indian
Union Territories, besides showing Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan as part of India. It is by no means a
small happening. Pakistan’s Foreign Office did reject the Indian act, but failed to convince global
diplomatic quarters into expressing similar concerns. Even the international media absorbed it as
something normal and as part of India’s internal affair. The media, which would have tangibly
highlighted India’s undiplomatic act as it did in case of the revocation of Kashmir’s special constitutional
status, is now busy projecting Pakistan as a destabilized country, citing the ongoing sit-in. Pakistan is
being presented as a “Banana Republic” unable to protect its own societal and political fibers. All these
negative strands could dilute what our Premier had secured at the UNGA by internationalizing the
Kashmir dispute.

Secondly, the sit-in is being celebrated and given extensive coverage by the Indian media which
undoubtedly has international ingress and standing. The yellow-dressed “Ansar-ul-Islam” personnel of
the sit-in party are massively damaging Pakistan’s soft image. The Indian media is presenting the attire
as a symbol of religious fanatics who have gathered to unseat a democratically-elected government.
Religion card is being used to meet political ends. The Western narrative of Islamist extremism could get
further steam, and this time from the land of pure. Can any Pakistani let this happen i.e. bring a bad
name to the state? The answer is surely ‘No’. Pakistani diplomats who have been relentlessly defending
Pakistan’s interests with regard to mitigating the chances of putting Pakistan on the FATF blacklist could
find themselves again on ground zero. One should not forget that it was India which accused Pakistan at
the FATF of sponsoring and financing terrorism. So, the sit-in without any concrete grounds is nothing
but the most important building block that could push Pakistan towards unrecoverable economic,
diplomatic and political damage. It may be recalled here that at the FATF Plenary in October, Indian
diplomats used the sit-in party’s military-style parade to bolster their arguments against the efforts of
the Pakistani diplomats to project Pakistan as a responsible state.

Thirdly, the most sensitive and the least desired thing is to cite the alleged role of the armed forces in
politics. Here, the sit-in leadership is naively playing into the hands of enemy. The fact is that the armed
forces of Pakistan are recognized and respected at national and international levels to have the will and
potential to combat multi-dimensional security threats to Pakistan. Any attempt to pitch the armed
forces against its own people would be disastrous, as has been attempted by the sit-in leadership.

The armed forces have unprecedentedly won the War on Terror and are currently engaged in operation
“Red-ul-Fessed” through Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs). Even, the US with all its latest gadgets
could not do so in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Besides, the Army is fencing the Pak-Afghan border under
extremely hostile conditions, meant to check infiltration from the Afghan side. The fencing and the
rehab programmed being managed by the Army don’t gel with the nefarious designs of the hostile
intelligence agencies, inter alia, the Afghan NDS and the Indian RAW. And then there is the Pashtun
Taaffe Movement (PTM) too. All these have been carved under a well-thought-out anti-Pakistan
strategy. A stable Pakistan is not in the interest of its enemies. Their designs are to divert the armed
forces’ attention and efforts. The sit-in leadership should avoid doing anything that may not go well with
Pakistan’s strategic, diplomatic and political interests.

Our armed forces have been fighting with the sole purpose of protecting our geographic and ideological
frontiers; however, they can’t do it without the nation’s support. The political forces should prove they
are equally patriotic. Notwithstanding the political differences, the political forces have to act wisely so
as to offset the external security challenges being faced by Pakistan by demonstrating national unity.

Nontraditional security threats to Pakistan

Non-traditional security treats are those security challenges which are the opposite of traditional
security threats. These threats have made the national security landscape more complex and vulnerable
than ever before. The advent of 21st century brought many changes in the world. Now along with
traditional security threats states have to face non-traditional security threats in shape of terrorism,
extremism, sectarianism and ethnic strife, gender discrimination and population explosion, drug
trafficking, environmental degradation, arms smuggling etc. In Pakistan Non-traditional security threats
exist, which are weakening the roots of Pakistan and also have implications for security. Pakistan is
facing terrorism and extremism, sectarianism and ethnic diversity, gender discrimination and population
explosion as non-traditional security threats, which not only threaten national security but also threaten
human security. Violence increased in Pakistani society due non-traditional security threats and there is
need to handle these issues with cooperation and mutual trust among the all institutions.

Explanation:
In the post-Cold War era, the term ‘National Security’ has acquired broader connotations. In the
21stcentury, ‘National Security’ extends beyond relying simply on hard power means. It includes non-
traditional security challenges in order to ensure comprehensive national security.

Pakistan, for quite some time has also been facing a host of non-traditional security challenges that have
seriously impacted its development, growth, economic progress, as well as political stability. These non-
traditional security challenges including environmental degradation, food and water scarcity and
unprecedented population explosion merit urgent attention before they spiral out of control, posing a
threat to the survival and development of Pakistan.

The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) considers that Pakistan’s regional and internal security
environment is complex and complicated. In the given context, there is a need to identify these non-
traditional challenges along with the traditional challenges and also develop a strategy that would
enable Pakistan’s policy makers and opinion leaders to optimally confront and neutralize these
challenges.

The seminar brought together a core group of experts and officials in order to put together concrete
recommendations in this regard. The recommendations at the end of this report have been suggested
by the experts as some of the possible ways to help policy makers formulate a national level strategic
framework for Pakistan to timely deal with these non-traditional security threats.

Pakistan’s state institutions have largely remained focused on maintaining stable law and order situation
amidst fog of unprecedented internal and external threats. Moreover, like other South Asian countries,
Pakistan has also been facing a number of non-traditional security challenges that have seriously
impacted its development, growth, economic and political stability. Pakistan has been identified as one
of the most vulnerable countries to environmental degradation, especially when faced with the adverse
implications of global climate change.
In Pakistan, low-probability and high-impact events such as earthquakes, floods, droughts, storms and
cyclones have been increasing in frequency, inflicting unbearable human and financial losses. The case in
point being the earthquake of 2005 that caused approximately 0.1 million deaths, made 3.5 million
people homeless and incurred $5.2 billion financial losses; and the floods of 2010 that wreaked havoc
affecting 20 million people. Climate change and variations in precipitation patterns also affect
agricultural production, exacerbating food shortages. Food scarcity is an issue that is being predicted to
be one of the most important problems that will be faced by the states in the future. Dwindling fresh
water resources has led many scholars to speculate inter-state ‘water-wars’ in not too distant future.

Poetry is nontraditional threat to Pakistan:

She may not be living under the economic poverty line. However, her husband was an unemployed drug
addict. She was a chronic victim of domestic violence. Arguments on financial issues occurred routinely,
and on top of everything, there are reports that the children had not been fed for the last three days.
First thing first. Can one imagine the state of mind in which Basma decided to end the lives of her two
minor children? She may be depressed, frustrated, helpless, extremist, revengeful, all of the above, or
none of the above, but it does not change the fact that she took the precious lives of her children. And
here arises the second question: who is responsible for the deaths of these children — Basma, her
husband, her relatives, the state, society, all of them or none of them? One can think of all kinds of
possible answers; however, the Punjab police were quick in fixing responsibility and arrested her on a
charge of murder. She would remain the talk of town for a few days and then all attention would be
diverted to some other equally gruesome incident; after all, Pakistan is a land of the happening, where
there is no dull moment.

I agree that ‘chronic poverty’ may not be the cause of this tragic incident, but Basma’s extreme behavior
clearly indicates chronic depression and mental health issues, especially when she had a history of
suicide attempts and her mother had also committed suicide a few years ago.

Fortunately, Basma did not kill herself, but earlier last month, a cancer patient allegedly killed seven
members of his family before committing suicide. Media reports are full of instances of such extreme
behavior. One wonders where we are heading towards as a society. Are we a mob of psychopaths,
sadistic and violent individuals, or our sheer helplessness pushes us towards extreme behavior?
Perhaps, there is no easy answer to this question, but one can certainly assume that societal behavior
would have been quite normal if there had been attempts by our successive governments to
implement Article 38 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which states: “The State shall provide basic
necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief.” True that ours is a
resource-starved country, but even if our state had abundant resources, it would only be able to provide
basic necessities even if it knew the number of deprived people. Mapping the demand side reflects the
political will to act; however, our policymakers are clearly living in a state of denial. They do not want to
read their lab results as it may diagnose their chronic ailments.

We have not released our poverty figures for the last many years. The National Nutritional Survey result
was released after a lapse of two years as someone in the bureaucracy was not comfortable with the
fact that 58 per cent of the population in Pakistan is malnourished. The World Food Programmed-SDPI-
FAO-UNICEF-led “State of food (in)security in Pakistan 2013” report, suggesting (on the basis of
government data) that almost 50 per cent of the people have a chronic caloric insecurity, has been
awaiting clearance and shuttling between the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council and the Ministry of
Food Security and Research for the last six months. In a country where physical health requirements
remain unmet, we simply do not believe that mental ailments exist; thus, most media reports term
Basma a ‘ruthless mother’ and a ‘monster mom’.

I wonder how many more deaths are required to convince ourselves that helplessness leads to extreme
behaviors. We need to acknowledge the multidimensionality of poverty and need to recognize that
poverty, in any form, is a non-traditional security threat, which can erode the basic societal fabric.

It may require a revised social contract to address societal extreme behaviors, but by then, it would be
too late for this ‘ruthless mother’, who may attempt to commit suicide during her trial. I wish the court
could have sent her for psychiatric treatment before handing her over to the police on judicial remand.
It is still not too late. Perhaps, the Supreme Court or the Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights can
still intervene and consider this case under Article 38. It would turn an accused into a victim, and may
also lay the foundation of a paradigm shift, which is necessary if we want to provide psychological relief
to our frustrated society.

Non traditional security threats to belt and road initiative:

The transition in Chinese leadership since November 2012 has been observed with significant changes in

Chinese foreign policy under the leadership by President Xi Jinping.

The initiation of Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) is seen as one of the major contours of Chinese foreign

policy and can be linked with the 'peaceful rise 2.0.  In this behavior, Beijing adhered to declare 'peaceful

development' policy which not only aimed to maintain a strong and stable external environment

conducive to its ascendance, but the manner in which it did seek are magnificently different. In the

context of BRI, the rhetoric casts it in terms of economy but it has also well-organized security and

strategic aspects which contributes to the overall Chinese national security.

Many Chinese sources suggest that BRI investment is being used as a means of securing energy supply

routes, stabilizing border regions, and cultivating stronger economic and diplomatic relations with

partner nations. However, the goals are constrained by dual security challenges; both traditional and

non-traditional security threats which are intertwined. 

The global great powers in the area of BRI have already put forward their own regional initiatives aimed

seeking the regional influence. Other than the great power geopolitical games, Chinese territorial and
island disputes, and regional political turmoil in host countries, Beijing is countered with multiple strong

and serious non-traditional security threats.  The growing activities of three important forces (terrorist

forces, national separatist forces and religious extremists), threatening the BRI initiative is becoming one

of the grave asymmetric security threats in the region.

Despite the basic difference in these organizations’ political objective, personal composition,

organizational forms, the common feature stands same; they reject secular regimes and propose to set

up an Islamic state. Basically, as a result of regional security plan, and international anti-terrorism

situation, these organizations are characterized by a guiding ideology, decentralization, cross-cutting of

personnel, fragmentation and strong linkages with other International terrorist organizations. The

activities of East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) against Chinese targets are one such threat to

Chinese people's property and personal safety.

In addition, maintaining secure sea access is one of the key features of BRI initiative which will make it

sure the sea channels remain open. The Indian Ocean routes are strategically significant for world's

trade such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Strait of Mendoza and the Strait of Malacca.

Most of Chinese oil trade is passed through the Strait of Malacca, and the Indian Ocean to Middle East

and North Africa thus making these channels the lifeline of China's economic growth. Therefore, it

becomes imperative for China to maintain secure these sea routes. The security challenge mainly comes

from the United States which also endeavors to control the Strait. In this scenario, any security breach in

the Strait of Hormuz may result in deteriorating security situation within the region. Moreover, pirate

threat in the Mande Strait cannot be ignored especially off the Somali coast and the Gulf of Aden.

Besides the terrorist activities and open sea access, BRI initiative is also getting affected by the regional

economic integration pressures.

The core purpose of BRI initiative is to establish trade and economic ties with Central Asia, Southeast

Asia, the Middle East and Europe, to promote China's economic rebalancing and upgrading, to develop

mutual cooperation, and to encourage regional prosperity through investment and technology.  In this
situation, the United States proposal to establish Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TTP),

Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement (TTIP) and later to divide the ASEAN-led

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have actually tried to block the BRI objectives.

It is worth mentioning here that transnational organized crime has increasingly become rampant and

has affected the social stability and economic development of BRI partner countries. According to the

United Nations General Assembly, 'three major world catastrophes' are not only hampering the

economic and trade relations of BRI countries but also having direct impact of China's national security.

Other transnational organized crimes such as the large production of opium and its spread to the world

from Afghanistan, religious extremism in Central Asia, transnational economic crimes (specially

telecommunication frauds and money laundering), and illegal immigrant crimes are having direct impact

on BRI's overall security.

Facing these security challenges by the Beijing, the effective interaction lies in playing the role of a
'pivot' state as BRI initiative is having common areas of interest for Pakistan and India in South Asia.
Since China and India have long-standing territorial disputes, Pakistan can play the role of a 'pivot' state
which can be ensured by China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership. To secure the
western China, Pakistan’s influence can be used on Afghanistan including ETIM forces in Central Asian
region. Moreover, China can also use Pakistan as a bridge for security cooperation between China and
the United States. Subject to naval forces constraint, China needs to participate multi-level exercises
with Pakistan to ensure the safety of sea lanes.  The China's growing influence in Gwadar port also plays
an important role in fighting against piracy in Indian Ocean west coast thus ensuring the energy security
in the Gulf region.

Well-aware of all these risks and security threats, Beijing is not only marshalling all its resources to

create a secure and safer context for BRI but also improving its ability to undertake non-traditional

security operations such as disaster relief missions and non-combatant evacuations for longer period. At

a security level, China is also encouraging other options such as host nation support, law enforcement

initiative and private security firms for securing BRI assets and personnel. Whereas, at a strategic level,

high-level engagements, economic inducements, and public diplomacy are being carried out to decrease

the potential risks and competition with other major powers.

Furthermore, Beijing also needs to set up more cooperative and open concept to mobilize the region in
active participation and implementation of BRI initiative thus ultimately achieving a win-win situation.