Climate Change and National Security Policy of Pakistan: Challenges, Institutional Gaps, and Pathways for Integration

Abstract

Climate change has become a major non-traditional security threat, particularly for vulnerable developing countries like Pakistan. This study examines how climate change is incorporated into Pakistan’s national security framework and identifies key barriers to effective integration. Using qualitative methods, including policy analysis and case studies such as the 2022 floods and Indus Basin water issues, the research highlights a gap between policy recognition and practical implementation. Despite its inclusion in the National Security Policy (2022), climate change remains weakly integrated due to institutional fragmentation, limited resources, and poor coordination. The study shows that climate change acts as a threat multiplier, worsening socio-economic challenges like food insecurity and displacement. It emphasizes the need for policy reforms, stronger governance, and a shift from a traditional security approach to a broader human security framework that places climate resilience at the center of national strategy.