Strategic communication
Listen to article
What was lacking in the May 7-10 armed conflict with India was strategic communication — something that is responsible for the prevailing stand-off between Pakistan and India. When the DGMOs of the two countries contacted each other after the ceasefire, it reflected strategic communication between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. De-escalation of the conflict was only possible when the military officials of the two sides entered into strategic communication.
What is strategic communication and how is it essential in the context of de-escalation and consequent talks between two adversaries? Why did the strategic communication, an established phenomenon in the Indo-Pak relations since 1980s, break down in a crisis situation and how can it be revitalised in the months to come?
According to AI, "Strategic communication is a purposeful approach to using communication to achieve specific organizational goals, whether that's influencing stakeholders, driving change, or improving brand perception. It involves planning, executing, and evaluating communication strategies to ensure they effectively reach and engage the intended audience.
This includes understanding the audience, crafting clear and consistent messages, and using appropriate channels to deliver them." According to sompplr.com, "Strategic communications is a specialized approach to distributing and receiving information. It means communicating the best message, through the correct channels, to the right people, at the right time and using feedback from this process to stay focused on company goals."
In his speech before the 22nd Asia Security Summit Shangri-La dialogue held on May 31, Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said, "Strategic communication matters. Misconception, narrative warfare and information distortion are the oxygen for escalation. Strategic understanding must precede crisis management.
Mechanisms cannot function in a vacuum of trust or amid systemic asymmetries. Durable crisis management requires a foundation of mutual restraint, recognition of red lines and equilibrium, not dominance." Strategic communication cannot take place in isolation and requires 10 conditions: mutual trust, confidence, political will, determination, sharing of information, transparency, monitoring, verification, time-management and mechanism for de-escalation of an armed conflict.
Looking at different conflict zones — Kashmir, Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, Iran and Israel — one can say that strategic communication failed to yield positive results because the parties involved lacked proper strategic communication and crisis management mechanism. In conflicts which are not violent but reflecting trade and tariff issues, strategic communication requires dialogue and diplomacy to work out a plausible solution. In the case of Pakistan's intra-state water conflicts, strategic communication involving IRSA, federal government and provinces is essential to deal with misconceptions and misunderstanding particularly between Sindh and Punjab.
Needless to say, strategic communication is an art and science which is used by the stakeholders to prevent and manage a conflict to take a critical shape. India's suspension of Indus Water Treaty is a classic example of breakdown of strategic communication between the two neighbours. Likewise, the Shimla Pact of July 1972 — which transformed the ceasefire line of 1948 to the line of control and contained various elements to establish peace between India and Pakistan following the December 1971 war — was under the threat of unilateral revocation but got saved because both parties wanted to maintain it.
In this scenario, strategic communication is an innovative idea which is useful for the parties concerned to keep a treaty or an agreement in tact alongside ensuring that it also deals with the challenge of crisis management. Henceforth, strategic communication in the context of the May 7-10 Indo-Pak armed conflict needs to be examined from three sides.
First, the breakdown of strategic communication happened when India took an extreme step in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22, blaming it on Pakistan. Despite Pakistan's condemnation of that terrorist attack which killed 26 tourists and its proposal to conduct a neutral international inquiry, the Modi government went ahead with its unilateral judgment by launching missile and drone attacks against Pakistan on May 7.
Had there been strategic communication between India and Pakistan, there would have been no escalation in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. One wonders why despite military CBMs between India and Pakistan, like the hotline between DGMOs, New Delhi used military option against Islamabad. It means the Indian side had given up on the option of using strategic communication at the highest level like direct talk between the Prime Ministers of the two countries or military chiefs. That led to the outbreak of a dangerous crisis which only got de-escalated with the announcement of a ceasefire on May 10 by US President Donald Trump through a tweet. It means strategic communication to defuse a dangerous crisis situation added an external power to the situation.
Second, after the ceasefire, India refused to accept there was any external role and argued that the two sides only agreed to stop fighting when their military high-ups decided to cease fire. It means despite its earlier avoidance of strategic communication as a fundamental requirement to manage a military crisis, India opted for that technique. But the question is, for how long will the Indo-Pak stand-off continue and how can strategic communication, which led to the ceasefire, help the process of crisis management, conflict management and ultimately conflict resolution? Given the situation and ground realities prevailing since April 22, the fragility of strategic communication would continue to threaten the holding of ceasefire.
Third, there is no shortcut to ensuring a sustained ceasefire unless the two sides agree to resume the process of dialogue. More than Pakistan, India will suffer because of the prevailing stand-off due to the severe economic ramifications in the form of closed airspace and threat of declining foreign investment in case of resumption of the armed conflict. Only by adhering to basic requirements of strategic communication and crisis management, Pakistan and India can do away with the prevailing stand-off.
It's pertinent to mention here that the stand-off between the government and the opposition in Pakistan is also because of the absence of strategic communication between the two.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
20 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Aggressive rhetoric
EDITORIAL: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on an image-building visit to France and some other EU countries has made several pointed and provocative remarks about Pakistan. In an interview with Politico Magazine he accused Islamabad of using 'terrorism as an instrument of state policy', going on to claim that it was training 'thousands' of terrorists 'in the open' and 'unleashing' them on India. In a vain attempt to cover up the setback Indian military, particularly air force, suffered during last month's misadventure against Pakistan, he asserted, 'we are not going to live with it... And we don't care where they are. If they are deep in Pakistan, we will go deep into Pakistan.' Jaishankar's belligerent remarks have earned him a sharp rebuke from the Foreign Office in Islamabad. 'The discourse of top diplomats should aim to promote peace and harmony rather than producing bellicose punch lines,' said the FO. It also advised New Delhi to desist from concocting misleading narratives to justify its recent aggressive actions, emphasising the need for peaceful coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy. Aggressive actions have not worked so far to Modi government's advantage, however. Its military preparedness' weakness was first exposed in the 2019 air strike in Balakot, when in a retaliatory response the next day Pakistan downed at least one Indian jet and captured the pilot. Yet it employed the same ruse – unsubstantiated allegation of terrorism in Pahalgam – and tactics last month, launching missile and drone strikes inside this country. In the ensuing conflict it lost six of its top of the line jets. New Delhi since has been too embarrassed to name the number of warplanes shot down in action. When asked by Politico Jaishankar also wouldn't come to the point; all he could say was that the appropriate authorities would communicate on the matter when ready. But France, where he was speaking, knows the truth not only because of the three Rafale jets the PAF downed, but also for the reason that the EU and other major powers – the US, China, and Russia – all have eyes in the sky (satellite constellations). They could see exactly what happened and where to IAF aircraft. As a result, Pakistan's esteem has risen in diplomatic and military circles. While India likes to position itself as the dominant power in South Asia and also projected as a 'Net Security Provider' in the indo-Pacific region, the reversal it suffered during the four-day confrontation has undermined that narrative. Pakistan 's ability to withstand, repel, and convincingly outmanoeuvre Indian military moves make it confident to be more rational and restrained in reacting to minister Jaishankar's offensive remarks. The FO's call for improving the standard of discourse is a genuine plea for elevating the quality of discourse in one of the world's most volatile regions. If only the two nations interact with civility, that can pave the way to peaceful co-existence, if not cooperation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
India fails both militarily and diplomatically against Pakistan: Bilawal
PPP Chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addresses PPP rally in Karachi after successfully leading a diplomatic mission to US and Europe. Photo: Courtesy PPP/ Facebook Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asserted that after suffering a humiliating defeat on the battlefield, India also failed in its diplomatic campaign against Pakistan abroad, while Islamabad's narrative prevailed on the international stage. Bilawal led a delegation to United States and Europe, appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, to present Islamabad's perspective on the recent conflict with India. The visit aimed to secure international support, especially from the European Union, to help prevent further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. 'میں اس دورے کے دوران پاکستان کا امن کا پیغام، کشمیر کا پیغام، سندھو کا پیغام اور دہشتگردی کے متعلق ہمارا موقف اقوام متحدہ، امریکہ، برطانیہ اور یورپی یونین کے سامنے لے کر گیا۔ بھارت کوشش کر رہا تھا کہ وہ جنگ کے میدان میں تو ہم سے جیت نہیں سکا تو بیانیہ کی جنگ اور سفارتی سطح پر… — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 20, 2025 Speaking after returning from the successful tour in Karachi following a warm welcome on Friday, Bilawal emphasised the delegation's efforts in conveying Pakistan's message on peace, Kashmir, the Indus Waters Treaty, and counter-terrorism during visits to New York, Washington DC, London, and Brussels. He noted that during the conflict with India, although the former was 'seven times larger', Pakistan's armed forces achieved a 'humiliating defeat' for their adversary — a feat he said filled the country with pride. PPP chairman said Islamabad had overcome India's efforts to undermine it at the diplomatic level, adding that the country won the diplomatic battle through tireless efforts. "India tried to succeed where it failed on the battlefield — by defeating Pakistan on the narrative and diplomatic fronts — but I want to tell you that even on that front, Pakistan emerged victorious and India failed." Read More: 'No military solution to Pak-India disputes' He asserted that Pakistan stood on the side of truth, while India relied on falsehood — a contrast that, he said, was evident in the international media, where Pakistan's narrative gained traction and India's failed to resonate. Recalling the last month's skirmish with neighboring country, he said that Pakistan's armed forces had shot down six Indian jets — a denial initially issued by India, but later conceded a month later. Highlighting that Kashmir has remained Pakistan's most important issue since partition, he stressed that Pakistan raised its voice for Kashmir everywhere. 'Before the war, India's stance was that Kashmir was a bilateral matter. Now they must recognise that it is no longer an internal issue but an international one.' پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری امریکہ، برطانیہ اور یورپی یونین کے کامیاب سفارتی دورہ کے بعد وطن واپسی کے موقع پر استقبال کیلئے آئے شرکاء کے پرجوش نعروں کا خیرمقدم کررہے ہیں۔@BBhuttoZardari #ProudOfBilawal — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 20, 2025 He also referred to US President Donald Trump's comments, saying the US was prepared to facilitate talks between Pakistan and India to resolve the Kashmir dispute — a 'historic success,' he said. Turning to Pakistan's water security, he warned that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's threat to restrict the flow of the River Indus — described as an unprecedented move — would not go unchallenged. 'When it comes to the Indus, the PPP will lead the charge, whether domestically or internationally,' he said. 'بھارت کو سندھ طاس معاہدے کو ماننا پڑے گا، جس کے تحت چھ میں سے تین دریا پاکستان کے ہیں اور باقی بھارت کے حوالے ہیں، بھارت کے پاس دو آپشنز ہیں یا تو وہ عالمی قوانین کو تسلیم کرتے ہوئے سندھ طاس معاہدے پر عمل کرے اور اگر وہ ایسا نہیں کرتا تو پاکستان ایک اور جنگ کرئے گا اور پھر یہ چھ… — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 20, 2025 He issued a stern warning to India: 'You have two options: either abide by international law and the Indus Waters Treaty, which allocates three rivers to Pakistan and three to India, or face another war — and all six rivers will be ours.' Bilawal also questioned why domestic political actors, whom he blamed for inciting hate and division, were silent in the face of India's water threat, insisting that these politicians had long been funded by India and accused them of raising sectarian slogans in Balochistan and Sindh. 'The people of Sindh will never forgive these political orphans for their silence today,' he added, referring to their apparent inaction over the river threats and water security concerns.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business Recorder
THE RUPEE PKR: marginal decline
KARACHI: The Pakistani rupee posted marginal decline against the US dollar, depreciating 0.03% during trading in the interbank market on Thursday. At close, the local currency settled at 283.64, a loss of Re0.09 against the greenback. On Wednesday, the local unit closed at 283.55. Internationally, the US dollar firmed on Thursday, buoyed by safe-haven demand due to the looming threat of a broader conflict in the Middle East and possible US involvement, while investors weighed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's cautionary tone on inflation. After a muted start in Asia hours, the US dollar advanced across the board, weighing heavily on risk sensitive currencies after a report said US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran in the coming days. The Australian dollar fell as much as 0.5% but was last down 0.3% at $0.6489, while the New Zealand dollar slipped 0.5% to $0.5998. Emerging market currencies also struggled, with the South Korean won 1% weaker. Rapidly rising geopolitical tensions have led to the dollar swiftly reclaiming its safe-haven status, making inroads against the yen, euro and the Swiss franc. Iran and Israel traded further air attacks on Thursday, with the conflict entering its seventh day. Concerns over potential U.S. involvement have also grown, as President Donald Trump kept the world guessing about whether the United States will join Israel's bombardment of Iranian nuclear sites. The conflict has heightened fears of broader regional instability, compounded by the spillover effects of the Gaza war. Oil prices, a key indicator of currency parity, rose on Thursday after Israel and Iran continued to exchange missile attacks overnight and US. President Donald Trump's stance on the conflict kept investors on edge. Brent crude futures rose $1.60, or 2.1%, to $78.29 a barrel by 1030 ET. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for Julywas up $1.64, or 2.1%, at $78.34. Brent had surged to its highest in nearly five months at $78.50 on June 13, when Israel began its attacks. Open-market movement In the open market, the PKR lost 27 paise for buying and 11 paise for selling against USD, closing at 284.13 and 285.69, respectively. Against Euro, the PKR gained 64 paise for buying and 88 paise for selling, closing at 324.57 and 327.45, respectively. Against UAE Dirham, the PKR lost 15 paise for buying and 10 paise for selling, closing at 77.28 and 78.02, respectively. Against Saudi Riyal, the PKR lost 15 paise for buying and 9 paise for selling, closing at 75.55 and 76.25, respectively. ======================== Open Bid Rs 284.13 Open Offer Rs 285.69 ======================== Interbank Closing Rates: Interbank Closing Rates For Dollar on Thursday ======================== Open Bid Rs 283.64 Open Offer Rs 283.84 ======================== RUPEE IN LAHORE: The Pak rupee stayed stable against the US while gaining impressively against the British pound. According to local market sources, the Pak rupee closed at Rs 285.25 and Rs 285.70 against the US dollar compared to the previous closing of Rs 284.50 and Rs 285.50, respectively. However, regarding the British pound, the Pak rupee witnessed a closing at Rs 379.75 and Rs 383.10 against the previous closing of Rs 382.50 and Rs 387.60 respectively. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
