Proliferation of SALW in South Asia: A Case Study of Pakistan
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Abstract
This paper assesses and explores the institutionalisation of non-state actors in Pakistan's strategic depth doctrine. Following the formation of its dual strategy during the Cold War era, by analysing historical, geopolitical and contemporary case studies that have provided an opportunity to the Pakistan army to assert dominance in the country’s political affairs. It delves into Pakistan's domestic SALW proliferation as well as the porous border region, enabling illicit arms trafficking and diversion of military-grade weapons to non-state actors by assessing the linkage between SALW proliferation, terrorism and Pakistan's intelligence role in organising terror activities in the Kashmir and Afghanistan, thereby supporting Pakistan's asymmetric warfare capabilities. This paper focuses on the importance of studying SALW and Pakistan's political affairs, the deep connection with militant organisations as covert proxies, through case studies of Pakistan.
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