Previous op-eds in this series made a strong recommendation to reboot Pakistan's national security framework and for three underlying reasons. One, to align with the adage, 'strike when the iron is hot'. Two, and more crucially, because this is fundamental to Pakistan's continued existence. Three, any further public policies will not work if this framework is not setup in the right direction. Central to the rebooted national security framework is national identity which leads into national purpose, penultimately hooking into national interests and finally connecting it with national security policy. In the ambit of the rebooted national security framework, the proposed national identity is that of a Muslim yet democratic Pakistan. By leaning on the Pakistani constitution, Pakistan's national purpose is extrapolated in the following three beliefs. One, Pakistanis are one united people regardless of race, language, culture, or religion. Two, Pakistan will be a democratic state and society based on Islamic principles of social justice and equality. Third, achieve affluence and happiness for all through the values of democracy, freedom, equality, and tolerance.
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