Let it never be said that the Government of Pakistan fails to entertain while pretending to govern.
The announcement of the “newly formed high powered committee” comically named “Iron Shield,” is just another failure for Pakistan’s inept national security infrastructure. The committee of members, who all come from the same establishment, security agencies and counter terrorism departments that have failed to counter the terrorists and insurgents until this point is a slap in the face for every Pakistani.
The Chairman
Starting with its “chairman” Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the blue-eyed GHQ star, whose political career has been as caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, elevated to Chairman – Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and then given the additional portfolio of Federal Interior Minister. Prior to being caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi was a producer for CNN in Pakistan until 2009, and then launched City News Network, now City42.
That’s the “national security” experience of the Federal Interior Minister, who is now Chairman of the Iron Shield committee.
We won’t mention the absolute failure the Pakistan’s national cricket team has been since he became Chairman of the cricket board in 2024.
Naqvi’s name has been circulated numerous times as the potential replacement for Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of Pakistan because of his close ties to Rawalpindi. He was sworn in as Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control before every contesting or winning an election.
When this is the man who has been responsible for Pakistan’s internal security since 2023, is there any wonder the country is stuck between terrorism and insurgency in two provinces?
CommandEleven has been at odds with Naqvi on a few occasions, including the fabricated Besham terror attack report that claimed an unheard of faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) called Button Kharab (Broken Button) was responsible for the attack, and the Ministry of Interior’s SOPs for the Protection of Chinese Citizens in Pakistan, which shut down the issuance of non-objection certificates (NOCs) for bulletproof vehicles, a requirement for Chinese movement.
Couple this with his abject failure in managing the repatriation of Afghan refugees and his ministry’s inability to oversee a realistic counter terrorism strategy for law enforcement, Naqvi is hands down the worst choice to head any committee.
The Iron Shield Committee
Now, he will head the Iron Shield committee, which as the media reports, “embodies a strategic recalibration aimed at establishing a robust security framework that extends beyond the previously reported focus on Afghan citizen repatriation.”
A strategic recalibration under someone who has neither a background in strategy or security.
Iron Shield is entrusted with the following five critical areas:
- Enhanced border security and counter insurgency
- Economic security and anti-smuggling blitz
- Urban governance and socio-economic reform
- Diplomatic engagement and international cooperation
- Cyber security fortification
Let’s break this down.
Border security and counter insurgency is the responsibility of both the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence.
Economic security and anti-smuggling is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior.
Urban governance and socio-economic reform actually comes under the Ministry of Planning.
Diplomatic engagement and international cooperation is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cyber security fortification should be the responsibility of the Ministry of Information Technology, but this ministry is unable to update government websites in an efficient and timely manner, so we really question they are up to the task of cyber security.
So, what this blue-ribbon committee of provincial chief secretaries, representatives of key security agencies and counter terrorism department experts are entrusted with is the responsibilities of actual federal ministries, who are either unable or have been pushed off the board to give more control to an incompetent minister, who has the blessings of General Headquarters.
The absolute best closing line for this assessment is the statement of a senior government official, who emphasised:
“The Iron Shield initiative is not merely a reactive measure; it’s a proactive strategy to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and ensure the well-being of its citizens. We are committed to building a resilient nation capable of withstanding emerging threats and fostering sustainable development.”
This is not proactive. It is reactive because the terrorists and insurgents already have weakened the writ of the State and its law enforcement agencies. Iron Shield has nothing that will protect the sovereignty of Pakistan or ensure the well-being of its citizens.
Just like Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, this is a swing and a miss at fortifying Pakistan’s national security.
