CLIMATE CHANGE AS A THREAT MULTIPLIER: THE SECURITY-JUSTICE NEXUS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This article aims to analyze climate change as a threat multiplier within Pakistan’s security justice nexus by examining its impacts on water security food security displacement and vulnerable communities while evaluating climate securitization judicial interventions and governance gaps in promoting climate justice. Climate change is a significant threat multiplier in Pakistan exacerbating existing vulnerabilities of water scarcity food insecurity extreme weather events internal displacement and governance weaknesses while converging with human security and justice issues. The study draws on secondary data from policy documents judicial verdicts and scholarly analyses to elucidate how climate stresses exacerbate socioeconomic fragilities and challenge state capacities. Special focus is directed toward the security justice nexus covering human security aspects securitization processes and the contribution of constitutional rights to climate justice. The analysis highlights that Pakistan is responsible for less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions yet ranks among the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts as evidenced by the catastrophic floods of 2022 that affected more than thirty three million people and caused damages exceeding fourteen billion dollars. Through a qualitative examination of literature national security policies and landmark cases such as Asghar Leghari versus Federation of Pakistan the article identifies significant gaps in institutional coordination and policy implementation. It concludes that addressing climate change requires whole of government approaches with increased adaptation financing and fair burden sharing grounded in climate justice principles to protect human dignity and national stability.