CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATIONAL SECURITY IN PAKISTAN: EMERGING CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIC PROSPECTS

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a profound threat to national security, particularly in vulnerable developing states, where environmental disruptions trigger cascading effects on water, food, economic stability, and human well-being. In Pakistan, a country repeatedly devastated by extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves, climate change increasingly strains conventional conceptions of national security and underscores the urgency of reframing strategic policy paradigms. This article explores how climate change acts as both a direct and indirect security threat to Pakistan, exacerbating resource scarcity, socio-economic fragility, internal displacement, and geopolitical tensions. By synthesizing existing secondary literature from peer-reviewed research, this study highlights emerging challenges and identifies strategic prospects for integrated climate security governance. Findings indicate that while climate-induced risks are multifaceted and intensifying, opportunities exist in climate diplomacy, policy mainstreaming, and resilience-building initiatives. The paper concludes with recommendations for embedding climate considerations into national security frameworks to protect state stability and societal well-being.