Climate Change as a National Security Threat in Pakistan: Challenges, Implications, and Policy Responses

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a major non-traditional national security threat to Pakistan, affecting human security, economic stability, food production, water resources, public health, and social resilience. Despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse-gas emissions, Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to floods, heatwaves, droughts, glacier melting, glacial lake outburst floods, and sea-level rise. The devastating 2022 floods demonstrated the magnitude of this vulnerability, affecting millions of people and causing more than US$30 billion in damages and economic losses. This study examines climate change as a national security challenge through the Human Security Approach. Using qualitative analysis of secondary data from government reports, international organizations, and academic literature, the study explores the relationship between climate hazards, socioeconomic vulnerability, and national security. The findings indicate that climate change intensifies poverty, displacement, food and water insecurity, health risks, and fiscal pressures. The study recommends stronger climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, water governance, climate finance, and institutional coordination to strengthen Pakistan’s national security.