Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)

Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017

ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Non State Actors in Pakistan-Their

Destabilizing role in Political crisis faced
by the Region
Syed Maqbool Hussain Abidy
Abstract: The idea of nation-sate after the Second an organized political actor not directly connected to
World War emerged as the strongest political entity, the state but pursuing aims that affect vital state
state was being considered as sovereign authority, interests. There is a wide variety of Non State
according to Max Weber, had monopoly over the use Actors such as warlords, Private military
of force. But the NSAs begin to challenge nation- corporations (PMCs) criminal and terrorist networks,
state borders and sovereignty claims. Right from organized crime groups both domestic and
there, international as well as domestic politics have transnational youth gangs, multinational
been strongly affected and shaped by Non State corporations, and the United Nations, Non
Actors (NSAs) as entities that participate or act in Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to name just a
international organizations. They have long few.
influenced the political structure of a state by using
violence, mobilized masses by invoking social norms, Role of Non State Actors (NSAs)
and accordingly claimed the distribution of wealth.
The Non State Actors have grown into powerful These diverse and combo of Non State
political actors with backing of agencies like the Actors have not any specific role but each have its
Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) in Pakistan and with implications for domestic and international politics.
their increasing role in the policies of the state, have The Non State Actors have reshaped the nature of
endangered the existence of Pakistan as a state. It is international relations by putting challenges before
in itself one of the biggest problem and challenge for state sovereignty and nationalism. The policies,
India that those whom Pakistan or other agencies decisions of the sovereign state are more affected and
are calling as Non State Actors are the states own influenced by Non State Actors rather by State
creation. These actors are state sponsored and are Institutions. As Wye and Keohane have rightly
being trained in State institutions. argued that serve as transmission belts for states to
. develop and build their foreign policies and act as a
Key Words: Non State Actors, Multinational pull to bring the nation states together to develop
corporations, ISI, Nation State, Weak States friendly relations.
Westphalia System, Individual interest, Collective Non State Actors come in various shapes, sizes such
interest. as NGOs, multinational corporations, UN and other
. organisations like terror networks, known as Violent
Non State Actors. These manifold and diversified
Introduction non State Actors plays a unique role in the ever-
changing realm of international security. They have
Since the World War II, the idea of nation-sate
some positive as well as negative role whether it is in
emerged as the strongest political entity, state was
the field of International security, diplomacy or
started being seen as ultimate authority and which,
economy, but Violent Non-State Actors (VNSAs)
according to Max Weber, had monopoly over the use
(terrorist and criminal organisations) play a crucial
of force. This claim, however, did not go
and destabilizing role in humanitarian and political
unchallenged. Right from there, international as well
crisis faced by international community. “Certainly
as domestic politics have been strongly affected and
the deleterious effects of criminals and terror
shaped by Non State Actors (NSAs) as entities that
networks often act to undermine the fabric of
participate or act in international organizations. They
international security. Simultaneously, NGOs and
have long influenced the political structure of a state
the UN, more often than not, exert their energy in a
by using violence, mobilized masses by invoking
positive manner. Meanwhile, the role of private
social norms, and accordingly claimed the
security firms and their influence on international
distribution of wealth. They increasingly challenge
security is a point of appreciable contention.”(Jesse
the traditional state system and underlying structure
Schwartz).
of international politics. The NSAs can be defined as

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

The Non State Actors in the present context of facilitators and force multipliers for VNSAs. In a
conflicts play a central role in bilateral relations with similar vein, globalization has allowed VNSAs to
neighboring countries. The VNASs make use of develop what might be termed transnational social
different violent and unfair and illegal means to capital and to create alliances and generate support
reach to their goals, they do not care for peace and outside the immediate area of their operations.
security issues; they have just become a threat for
international peace and security. In a cursory survey Non State Actors in Pakistan
it is being suggested that role of VNSAs is increasing
day by day and becoming a grave threat to peace and According to the USA (Rule of law in armed
stability. conflicts project 2012) 3 , a plethora of non-
NSAs begin to challenge nation-state borders and State armed groups have been engaged in
sovereignty claims. In his article Phil Williams violent struggle in Pakistan since 2001,
argues that “VNSAs have become a persistent including:
challenge to nation-states in the 21st century”1. • Harkat-ul-Jihad-I-Islamia (HUJI)
Sometimes Non State Actors that operate without a • Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM)
state control plays a crucial role in internal and trans- • Hizb-I Islami Gulbuddin
border conflicts and subject the state institutions to (HIG)
their decisions. So it is important to take into • Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)
consideration the complex implications of the NSA • Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)
and VNSAs on state and its domestic and foreign • Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ)
policies. • Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
• Sipah-e-Sahaba/Pakistan
Rise of NON State Actors (SSP)
• * Al-Islambouli Brigades of
Non State Actors do have certain things in common: al-Qaeda
they all emerge in response to inadequacies, These NSAs have no common interest
deficiencies or shortcomings in many states and to therefore the numbers. They, however, seem to be
one degree or another seek to compensate for those caused by the both factors: on the one hand the
shortcomings. The incapable states fail to meet the inability of the country to manage its political affairs
needs of their peoples and the gap is filed by other while as on the other, they are sponsored some
actors and they illegally undermine the weak states Intelligence agencies or certain government
and try to capture the power and come with institutions in other countries in order to fulfill their
alternative governance. Philip Williams also short term goals.
highlighted certain key dimensions responsible for The ISI is believed to be aiding these
the rise of NSAs such as the absence of organizations in Pakistan in eradicating perceived
legitimacy-absence of loyalty and agreement, states enemies and those opposed to their cause, including
with capacity gaps, primacy of individual interest India. The FBI’s Satellite Imagery has suggested the
over collective interest. While talking about the existence of several militant camps in Pakistan with
legitimacy of the state he then quotes David at least one militant admitting that he is being trained
Ronfeldt, “as a society degenerates…the more its for fighting in India. Pakistan is being believed to be
state, market, and civil society systems falter and fall involved in supporting separatist militias and giving
apart—people are sure to revert to the tribal form. It shelter and training to different Jihadist organizations
again becomes the driving form.”(“Violent Non-State in order to fight in India and raise insurgencies on
Indian land. Many nonpartisan sources have
Actors and National and International Security”-
suggested that the officials within Pakistan’s ISI are
Philip Williams) providing aid to Jihadists and adding that the “ISI
We can add that VNSAs are the result of has provide covert but well documented support to
poor state governance but they further try to terrorist groups active in Kashmir”4. But the then
undermine the governance of the state. The role of Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari in clear cut had
Non State Actors in the international security got denied any kind of involvement in militant activities
attention after the 9/11 attack. The United States is in Kashmir and other parts of India and admitted that
also responsible for the rise of NSAs when the Soviet the previous Governments had “deliberately created
Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, the US trained and nurtured militants as a policy to achieve some
and armed the unarmed youths to resist the Soviet short-term tactical objectives”5
Invasion (R. Frost, Zaman 2015, Steve 2004).2
Globalization is also seen as one of the vital
factors for the rise of NSAs as it not only challenged
and under estimated the individual state capacity and
power to manage the state affairs but also provide

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Mobilization of Public Opinion and controlling References

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In consultation and guidance of State organised Coll, published in 2004 by Penguin Press, won the
institutions lectures are being delivered and 2005 Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction
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Development & St. Antony’s College, University of
Oxford.
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IMPLICATIONS OF VNSAs
Justice Studies,University of Massachusetts Lowell
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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-3, Issue-4, 2017
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

of Sovereignty and Insecurity in the Modern World',

Contemporary Security Policy,30:2,221 — 245
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