Security-development nexus

AI Summary

The article argues that insecurity in Pakistan undermines investment, trade, tourism and economic growth, while development can strengthen the foundations of security. It links rising militant violence, including TTP attacks and instability connected to Afghanistan, to worsening business confidence and calls for coordinated security and development policies.

PAKISTAN can’t achieve sustained economic growth by treating security as a separate problem for the security apparatus to handle while econom­ists focus on investment, exports, productivity and fiscal reform. Insecurity destroys the very conditions on which economic development depe­nds, while development strengthens the foundations of security. Our crisis makes this nexus impossible to ignore. For decades, discussions on investment, production, growth, and development have largely focused on economic policies while underestimating the non-economic environment in which they operate. Yet, security of life and property, political stability, rule of law, judicial independence, federal-provincial coordination, accountability, and regional peace directly affect economic outcomes. Unless these improve, returns from economic reforms will remain below potential. Increasing militancy and Pakistan’s top position on the Global Terrorism Index 2026 are damaging lives and economic prospects. The recent attack on a police compound in Kohat, in which 37 people, including military personnel, were killed, received international coverage. Foreign business people and executives reportedly cancelled plan­ned visits, while travel advisories issued by sever­al governments can discourage their nationals from visiting Pakistan. In 2025, TTP attacks in KP and BLA strikes in Balochistan caused hundreds of ca­­sualties among security personnel. The past decade’s trend shows that terrorism is no longer episodic. It is a structural constraint on investment, trade, tourism, development and employment. The origins of the TTP challenge go back several decades. Pakistan’s decision in the 1980s to align with the US in opposing the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan had consequences beyond the immediate strategic goal. The proliferation of arms and drugs, sectarian violence, growth of militant groups and the spread of extremist ideologies created a social and institutional environment that facilitated terrorism in Pakistan. After the Soviets left Afghanistan, Pakistan became involved in efforts to shape a political settlement among Afghan factions. The failure of power-sharing arrangements and the ensuing civil war led to the emergence of the Taliban, who captured Kabul in 1996. Pakistan supported their regime. But 9/11 fundamentally altered the situation. Pakistan joined the global campaign against terrorism, itself becoming a major target. When the US decided to leave Afghanistan, Pakistan played an important role in the Doha process. The Ashraf Ghani government’s collapse in 2021 and the Taliban’s return led to expectations that cross-border terrorism would decline. Instead, the TTP, now equipped with modern weapons left behind by Nato forces, intensified their attacks. The challenge is to build security through development, and development through security. Diplomatic efforts involving China, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have not produced a durable solution. Insecurity along the western frontier has disrupted bilateral trade, imposing costs on manufacturers, traders and transport operators, especially in KP and Balochistan. Security and commerce are now directly linked. Balochistan poses a different but equally serious challenge. It has seen a sharp escalation in asymmetric warfare and insurgency. Highways, railways, bridges, gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, and other infrastructure have been targeted. Mine workers, labourers from other provinces and government officials have been attacked or abducted. In places, the state’s administrative presence and writ have been weakened. The economic consequences are immediate. Chi­­nese nationals and companies in Pakistan need extensive security. Attacks on Chinese citizens in Karachi, Dasu and elsewhere have led to concerns in Beijing and slowed some CPEC-related activities. Gwadar’s industrial potential remains largely unrealised, partly because Chinese companies are reluctant to deploy personnel in insecure conditions. An industrial zone won’t flourish when investors can’t operate confidently. Security operations alone can’t resolve Balochistan’s problem. Kinetic action is necessary against militants but must be accompanied by development. Balochistan suffers from serious deficits in education, health, clean water, infrastructure, employment and private investment. When economic opportunities are few, grievances become a source of recruitment for insurgent groups. So the province needs not just security spending but also a development strategy to create jobs, boost local institutions, and ensure communities see tangible benefits from Balochistan’s natural resources and strategic location. Regional instability adds to the problem. Disruption of trade with Iran and closure or restriction of border crossings such as Chaman have hurt exporters and communities that rely on cross-border commerce. Clearly, peace is not just a diplomatic aim; it is an economic asset. Pakistan must use its