Press Release
Roundtable Discussion
“Hybrid Warfare and Pakistan’s National Security: Navigating the Cyber, Information and Diplomatic Nexus”
Islamabad, 29 Sep 2026: In contemporary world, hybrid methods of warfare have evolved in sophistication, scale and speed especially with advancement in technology and digital connectivity. For Pakistan, these developments present complex challenges to national security, decision making, societal resilience and broader strategic environment. In order to examine the evolving dimensions of hybrid warfare, with particular focus on strategic stability, emerging technologies, information operations, and measures to enhance national preparedness and resilience, the Arms and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Hybrid Warfare and Pakistan’s National Security: Navigating the Cyber, Information and Diplomatic Nexus.” The event was attended by prominent strategic experts and academicians.
Implications of evolving hybrid warfare techniques for strategic stability and deterrence in South Asia: Air Commodore (Retd.) Khalid Banuri, Senior Advisor, JCCL, noted that hybrid warfare has compressed decision-making timelines and reduced the space available for crisis management and diplomacy. He emphasized that cyber and information operations can now intersect with strategic stability, creating new complexities for crisis management in South Asia. He stressed the need for stronger communication mechanisms, verification of information before escalation, and proactive measures to maintain stability in an increasingly complex security environment.
Impact of emerging technologies on the sophistication of cyber operations: Ms. Adeela Waqar, Director Labs, PKCERT focused on critical infrastructure, its functioning, and vulnerabilities in the context of hybrid warfare. She noted that increasing dependence on data, third-party services, and interconnected digital systems has created new risks, underscoring the need to integrate digitalization with resilience planning to ensure the continuity of essential systems during disruptions.
Role of AI in shaping influence operations and information environments: Dr. Sumaira Kausar, Director CoE-AI, Bahria University, noted that AI can accelerate the creation and spread of both authentic and manipulated content. She highlighted that such content can rapidly gain public and media attention, trigger diplomatic reactions, and influence strategic decision-making. She emphasized that AI-driven operations can significantly compress the decision-making window, leaving limited time for verification, assessment, and response.
Role of diplomacy and strategic communication in countering hybrid warfare challenges: Dr. Zahir Kazmi, Advisor SPD, highlighted that these efforts alone cannot address such threats and must be supported by resilience, credible capabilities, and effective crisis management. He emphasized that disruptions gain strategic significance when exploited as leverage against national interests, stressing the need for stronger coordination, verification mechanisms, and preparedness through regular exercises and pre-established communication channels.
Highlighting the evolving role of strategic communication in shaping domestic and international perceptions, Dr. Zafar Ali, Director Research, SVI, and Dr. Bilal Zubair, Director Research, CISS, underscored the relevance of the discussion in the context of the upcoming National Security Policy. They noted that citizens have become part of the hybrid battlefield, requiring an audience-centric approach to security. They stressed that addressing such threats requires resilient institutions, effective narratives, and stronger economic, political, and social foundations alongside greater public awareness.
The roundtable provided a platform for experts to exchange perspectives on emerging security dynamics and explore approaches to strengthen national preparedness.
