Ex-Pakistani Diplomat Highlights Internal Threats Over India, Afghanistan

Former Pakistani ambassador Husain Haqqani has asserted that Pakistan's primary challenges come from internal issues such as a fractured national identity, rapid population growth, economic stagnation, and misguided security priorities, rather than external threats from India or Afghanistan. Haqqani highlighted the psychological nature of perceived external threats, noting that India has not initiated war and Afghanistan lacks the capacity for aggression, while emphasizing Pakistan's demographic crisis with a large youth population facing educational and poverty challenges despite the country's nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, high-level security talks between Iran and Pakistan underscore a mutual commitment to regional peace, border security, and counterterrorism efforts, with officials from both countries expressing readiness to expand bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and security sectors. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Akbar Ahmadian and Pakistan's National Security Advisor Lieutenant General Muhammad Asim Malik emphasized their determination to prevent enemies from destabilizing the region, reflecting a shared interest in stability. Additionally, Iran is also fostering cooperation with India to boost regional security and economic development, including projects like the Chabahar Port, signaling a broader geopolitical engagement in South Asia. These developments illustrate a complex interplay of internal challenges within Pakistan and evolving regional partnerships aimed at enhancing security and stability.