SECURITIZATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN PAKISTAN: A HUMAN SECURITY PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The current research study explores securitization of climate change from human security perspective in Pakistan by focusing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study finds that in Pakistan generally and in KP specifically there are on ground evidences that justify the securitization of climate change from the broader human security perspective. Climate change is an existential threat to peoples in the country. Climate change induced catastrophes such as floods, heavy precipitation, storms, glacier retreats, cloud bursts, heat waves, water scarcity and droughts are endangering the lives of people in the province. These extreme weather events directly undermine human security in the country. Human security is a comprehensive concept predicated on the notion of securing the core aspects of human life. Over the years the climatic calamities have unsecured the peoples by bringing deaths, injuries, disabilities, expansion of ailments, disturbance in food supplies and production, damaging occupations, destroying houses and forcing peoples for migration. All aspect of human lives are under consistent threat from climate change in the country. The human security dimensions need urgent priority in all the actions and strategies designed for climate change governance.