The Impact of Emerging Technologies on Pakistan’s Strategic Development

Technology is a fundamental agent of change. It can substantially influence the present and transform the future. Emerging technologies refer to innovations that are rapidly advancing our daily routines. They possess coherence and are novel, significantly impacting the socio-economic domains of modern states. There has been tremendous growth in emerging technologies for the last two decades, some popular technologies include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, Cyberspace and Information and communication technologies (ICTs), autonomous weapon systems, and robotics.

Emerging technology is a major factor in the strategic rivalry between large nations. They are essential to both strategic assessments and national plans. Global powers consider emerging technologies as crucial factors for the national power. Modern technologies possess the potential to determine the new global centres of power. To exert influence and control over issues critical to their interests, states must develop, manage, and govern emerging technologies under a coherent vision. This is set to be a major turning point.

Developing countries, particularly Pakistan are a bit slow in emerging technologies, however, still with limited resources, it has made significant contributions by incorporating emerging technologies into its strategic development. The National Command Center (NCC), along with the National Center for Cybersecurity (NCCS) was established in 2020. CENTRIC focuses on Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing. These steps highlight Pakistan’s efforts to advance its abilities in utilizing emerging technologies. National Aerospace and Technology Park (NASTP) and NASTP Institute of Emerging Systems and Technologies (NIEST) are those institutions that exhibit Pakistan’s research and training in emerging technologies.

Emerging technologies have both pros and cons in their implementation as mentioned by the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Report.  It has created misinformation, disinformation, and malformation that are major non-traditional threats to the security of Pakistan. Terrorism is a pressing challenge for Pakistan. Socio-economic problems also persist in the country. Collectively, these challenges could pose a stark threat to Pakistan’s stability.

Emerging technologies have transformed both military power dynamics and market competitiveness. Major powers like the USA, UK, France, India, etc. are big proponents of utilizing them for autonomous weapons in warfare. China, Russia, the USA, India, and Pakistan have claimed that they possess powerful hypersonic missiles for modern warfare. The use of quantum technology has gained tremendous attention in transforming communication security and intelligence collection.

South Asia comprises three nuclear states (China, India, and Pakistan), each of which considers the role of the other states before crafting its strategy in the 21^st Century. Pakistan considers itself as a major regional power in South Asia. Other major players in the region (India and China) have engaged themselves in the arms race by incorporating emerging technologies. However, a country like Pakistan still faces numerous challenges to follow in the footsteps of major powers.

Pakistan and India have a longstanding rivalry. India’s defence initiated its Land Warfare Doctrine in 2018 owing into mind the use of emerging technologies. India’s defence advancements have affected the military modernization in the South Asian region since 1998. Former Indian Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat’s statement ostensibly highlight a paradigm shift in warfare driven by using dual-use technologies in the 21^st century.

Pakistan primarily emphasizes conventional weapons, maintaining credible minimum deterrence through its nuclear arsenal enhancements. The Pakistani leadership acknowledges the significance of emerging technologies. The Pakistani military commands have asserted that the army’s ambition is to enhance the use of technologies to advance its Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. While state initiatives indicate recognition of the importance of advanced technologies, bridging the gap with global competitors remains critical.

The future of defence depends on the application of advanced technologies. The use of emerging technologies in limited conflicts may increase as states perceive fewer consequences compared to escalating with conventional weapons. Autonomous weapons, once initiated, operate independently, minimizing the margin for error and de-escalation compared to conventional warfare. Militarizing emerging technologies requires careful consideration, due to potential severe ramifications from unintended escalations or events. Pakistan still faces challenges ranging from social and economic issues to environmental concerns. Pakistan needs to address these problems, while strategically harnessing the potential of emerging technologies.

In the aftermath of COVID-19, technological penetration among the youth has gained immense attention in all walks of life. There is a dire need for research centres to address the issues of innovative technologies and their use in the strategic development of Pakistan. The curricula advancement is a key factor for the institutions in Pakistan to harness its crucial factors. The focus should be on developing the use of emerging technologies on indigenous levels. These technologies tend to be expensive when outsourced to other countries. The government should assist academia and the private sector in the use of emerging technologies. Given their global security concerns, Pakistan should collaborate with other countries like China, and the USA to make use of emerging technologies for their strategic development.