Instability in Pakistan: why and how should Australia contribute to counter the causes of instability?

This paper examines instability in Pakistan, and addresses the questions of whether and how Australia should contribute to counter its causes. It argues that Pakistan is of long-term importance to Australia's interests in South Asia, and that Australia can do more to build a stronger relationship with Pakistan, which would serve the national interests of both countries.

The paper proposes that the relationship could be enhanced through niche security sector contributions that would assist Islamabad in addressing internal sources of instability. It recommends two specific initiatives, namely a domestic security counter-terrorism policy and an enhanced policing policy, concluding that these initiatives would enhance the capacity of Pakistani security forces and support Australia's national interests for security and stability in South Asia.

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