Sovereignty and Challenges to Sovereignty of Pakistan

Sovereignty and Challenges to Sovereignty of Pakistan

Introduction

The idea of sovereignty emerged from Aristotle’s philosophy of state politics in which he declared the importance of supreme power of state. This idea further adopted by various empires and philosophers throughout the middle ages to Romans and them in fifteenth century French Jurists used the term sovereignty for the first time. Later this term adopted by German Italian and English political literature.  Badin’s  “The Republic” in 1576 was the first politician of political science in which sovereignty as a term is utilized.

Definitions

“Original, absolute, unlimited power over the individual subjects and over all associations of subjects” Burgess

“Sovereignty is  that power which is neither temporary nor delegated, nor subject to particular rules which it cannot alter, not answerable to any other power over earth”. -Pollock

“Sovereignty is the supreme will of state” Willoughby

Aspects of Sovereignty

Internal or domestic sovereignty: The final legal authority to some persons or group  of persons to enforce obedience and to control or rule.  

External or foreign sovereignty: A state is independent of its decision with other states. it means national freedom of making or breaking the relations of any type.

Characteristics of Sovereignty

Dr Garner identified the following attributes of sovereignty

Permanence: It means sovereignty relates with stability of state not persons or government because leaders use sovereign power on the behalf of state. Sovereignty lasts with the state only.  

Exclusiveness: It means there is no sovereign state within the existing sovereign state.  

Comprehensiveness: It means nobody can challenge the sovereignty of state. Everyone must submit his obedience before sovereignty and sovereignty is universally acceptable phenomena.

Inalienability:  Sovereignty is non transferable aspect. No person or state has authority to shift or alter or change the uniqueness and unified authority of state sovereignty. Sovereignty is the life and soul of the state and it cannot be alienated without destroying the state itself.

Unity: A unified sovereign state is the spirit of nationalism.  

Imprescriptibility: It means sovereignty sustains and persists whether state utilize this authority or not.  

Indivisibility:  The division of sovereignty means division of state. Gettell, has also very aptly remarked in this regard, “If sovereignty is not absolute, no state exists. If sovereignty is divided, more than one state exists”. So when ever sovereignty challenged the sovereign powers destroy those anti state elements.

Absoluteness: Sovereignty is subject and answerable to no one. It is absolute and unlimited.

Originality: National interests are dominant in international relations rather than mercy or friendly or animosity only.  

Different kinds of sovereignty

Nominal and real sovereignty: In this type of sovereignty kings or emperor or dictator was real sovereign and have absolute powers while his senators or parliamentarians are powerless

Legal sovereignty: A determinant, definite, and visible type of sovereignty which is formulated by law making authority of the state.  

Political sovereignty:  When legal sovereignty obeys another power or authority. Such sovereignty is not determinate and clear.

Popular sovereignty: The type of sovereignty is determined by power of masses not by individual leader or group of party.

De facto and de jure sovereignty: Actual sovereignty is the strongest active force in the state and has capacity to implement its authority according to his will.  

Challenges to Sovereignty of Pakistan

Internal challenges

Blame Game on Ideology and Creation of Pakistan since independence starting from Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan to Manzoor Pashteen. But Pakistan Media, researches, scholars and educational institutions are totally clarify the aims and objectives of Pakistan with strong proof and logics. Now all such elements are part of history and they are ceased to exist.

Religious extremism and separatist movements: Baluchistan Liberation Army, Mukhti Behmi, PTM, TTM and many other anti state elements were emerged from roots of Pakistan on funding of foreign anti state financers. But the highly positive role of media, constructive approach of all the stakeholders of Pakistan, Pakistan Military unified actions against such non state actors, social media and positive civil military relations and confidence of public on Pakistan Military enable Pakistan to counter, crush, and destroy such challenges. Now the sectarian violence are neither exist in Pakistan, extremist and hatred material are not available, social media and even educational institutions are promoting spirit of nationhood in Pakistan.

Economic downfall and IMF: Pakistan is in a position of bankruptcy due to policies of last ten years democratic governments. The current government is trying to survive Pakistan from such downfall. Sincerity of leadership is depicted from his working with non western bloc which help them to survive and boost economically. Pakistan tried its level best to compete this challenge but wrong attitude and immature behavior of politician of oppositions who are creating hurdles in doing the affairs of the government is also biggest challenge for Pakistan. Till the last breath Pakistan was trying to get out from the net of IMF but it went to IMF due to many reasons.

External challenges to sovereignty of Pakistan

Geostrategic, geopolitical and geographical importance of Pakistan: Pakistan has become the most important land on earth due to

·         CPEC and OBOR by providing pathway to eastern and western collaboration,

·         as a front line state in War Against Terrorism,

·         neighboring of three largest world economic and military powers i.e. China, India and Russia,

·         First and only nuclear power country in the world,

·         Pathway to Central Asian States,

·         importance of Gwader Port on nib of Persian Gulf (through which more than 35 % of global oil trade take place, and global oil rich countries are available here),

·         INDO – US Nexus on controlling Chinese influence in Indian ocean and Pakistan’s location in the center of all global powers’ politics is not only influencing the decisions of Pakistan internally but with the external world too.

Pakistan is fighting a biggest war in his history since independence within the border and on every side of its borders. i.e. On Eastern front (Indian, a traditional rival), Western front (infiltration of terrorist activities, and global powers politics and global war against terrorism), Southern side (Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf importance, and Gwadar port’s geostrategic significance), North Western Border (Iran, a strong rival of Saudi Arabia, Israel and USA). So  survival of many states are depend on Pakistan’s survival and vice versa.