CLIMATE CHANGE AS A DRIVER OF INTERNAL MIGRATION AND DISPLACEMENT IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a critical driver of internal migration and displacement in Pakistan, exacerbating vulnerabilities across socio-economic, environmental, and human security dimensions. This research examines the relationship between climate hazards including floods, droughts, glacial lake outburst floods, and coastal salinity, and heat waves and population movements within Pakistan. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary data analysis, government reports, and case studies of major climate events (e.g., the 2010 and 2022 floods, droughts in Tharparkar and Cholistan, sea intrusion in Sindh, and glacial hazards in northern region of Pakistan), the study identifies the key drivers, patterns, and socio-economic consequences of climate-induced displacement. Findings indicate that both rapid-onset disasters and slow-onset environmental changes contribute to temporary, seasonal, and long-term migration, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, and marginalized households. The research highlights gaps in policy, institutional coordination, and data availability, and proposes comprehensive recommendations, including the development of a national climate migration strategy, legal recognition of climate IDPs, climate-resilient infrastructure, community-based adaptation, early warning systems, and a centralized displacement tracking database. This study underscores the urgent need to address climate-induced migration as a human security priority in Pakistan and offers evidence-based policy guidance to enhance resilience, reduce vulnerability, and support sustainable development.