In the 21st century, the term ‘National Security’ has extremely diversified; it goes beyond relying only on state security by protecting territory and sovereignty; it also includes protecting the fundamental rights of citizens and prioritizing their well-being and dignity at individual and societal levels to ensure that a high-quality life is an essential component of national security. The notion has shifted from conventional threats towards non-traditional threats that transcend the boundaries of military concerns, highlighting the soft power influence in geopolitics.
In the modern era, due to the emergence of globalization, terrorism, environmental degradation, and pandemic diseases, geographic boundaries have transcended. In 2004, the UN panel recognized the main non-traditional security (NTS) threats that comprise human security concerns such as water scarcity, food shortages, energy and power crises, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, transnational crime, human and drug trafficking, refugee influx, mass migration, terrorism, and insurgencies. These concerns have the potential to shake the pillars of a state. Despite not being about adversaries, it involves silent challenges that may significantly upset national security.
As per the global seismic record, South Asia is the world’s most vulnerable seismic-prone region to natural and manmade disasters.
At first, pandemics were considered a manageable challenge within particular regions, like seasonal infectious diseases across Pakistan, such as acute watery diarrhoea (AWD), malaria, dengue, and measles. However, the recent COVID-19 pandemic also underlines the global impact on health security, highlighting that epidemics are no longer confined to a specific country. They can potentially cause significant hindrances to the international economy and travel while strongly affecting health security.
In addition, climate change is a major global threat, as it has led to melting glaciers, devastating forest fires, and extreme weather events happening worldwide, but mainly underdeveloped countries bear a disproportionate burden due to their strategic locations and limited access to advanced technology. As per the global seismic record, South Asia is the world’s most vulnerable seismic-prone region to natural and manmade disasters. This region had gone through 15 of the world’s major disasters between 1970 and 2000, which led to major climate change-induced migration. According to a 2018 World Bank report, over 140 million people are expected to migrate from their own countries by 2050.
Moreover, like other South Asian states, Pakistan’s geographic location exposes it to more disasters. This persistent issue poses significant non-traditional security threats that can destabilize sustainable growth, hinder economic progress, and disrupt human security. For instance, the destruction caused by the 2005 earthquake is still evident. In 2022, Pakistan was hit by intense monsoon rains. In July and August, the country received over 190% more rainfall than usual, resulting in devastating floods that killed over 1,700 people, as per a British Red Cross report.
Pakistan needs to defend against all threats, whether they come from manmade or natural calamities, as they all hurt day-to-day living. Stability in Pakistan can only be achieved by making bold decisions for a brighter future. According to The European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS)report, Pakistan is currently dealing with the influx of Afghan refugees; the government of Pakistan has taken action that prompted an exodus of 1.7 million. This time, we prioritize our resources and human security over humanitarian aid.
Thirdly, the looming threat of brain drain and the departure of highly skilled individuals impedes Pakistan’s development, creating a cycle that hinders sustainable growth. Youth is a valuable asset of Pakistan; investment in them leads to sustainable economic and social growth. Education is already a pressing concern and faces challenges such as a knowledge gap and the absence of practical skills. Additionally, the youth bulge and high unemployment rates contribute to non-traditional security threats, fuelling economic crises and rising extremism. Globally recognized as a risk to stability, this demographic challenge requires strategic interventions.
Furthermore, Cyber-attacks pose a serious threat to Pakistan’s national security, mostly due to inadequate cybersecurity safeguards such as power grid vulnerabilities, an increase in cybercrime, hacking, and instances of state-sponsored attacks. All these factors may lead to the use of our secret information by enemies and the dissemination of propaganda, which may present a negative image of Pakistan and build baseless narratives.
Lastly, Pakistan’s political insecurity challenges politics and economics, posing inefficiency, a weak political culture, and vulnerability to external interference. Like global superpowers, political stability is more capable of overcoming uncertain threats than underdeveloped regions. It destroys national integrity and exposes states to anti-state elements.
Pakistan’s non-traditional security landscape requires a multifaceted policy for environmental vulnerabilities. The evolving nature of these threats is enough to destabilize every sector. To combat them, every state requires international or regional cooperation because danger to one is considered a danger to all. To address internal issues, we should strengthen our youth assets. Introducing a strategic intervention such as investing in practical education and emerging sectors that will empower youth. So, they will serve the country through innovations and stabilize its sustainable growth. Lastly, the government needs to develop a strong adaptation plan with a holistic approach and remember that we must take action before it is too late.
“The weak and the defenceless, in this imperfect world, invite aggression from others.” – Muhammad Ali Jinnah
The writer graduated in International Relations from IIUI and research intern at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad She can be reached at haleemaabbasi41@gmail.com.