Human Security in Pakistan and Its Implications
Security studies is one of the most important areas of study in international relations. Previously, the term “security” was only used in the context of national security, specifically military security. During the cold war, the term “human security” was coined in 1983. In comparison, the United Nations Development Programme coined the term “human security” for the first time in 1994. The UNDP defined Human Security as “universal and inherently people-centered,” departing from the previous state-centric approach. It advocated “freedom from want” and “freedom from fear”.
State security and human security, in my interpretation, are inextricably linked. When a state is fully secured and sovereign, it can provide its citizens with liberty and safety. However, when people face injustice, they may rebel against the government, endangering the state’s reputation around the world. The father of human development, Mahboob-Ul-Haq, focused on human development. Haq launched a global movement for human-centered progress that included intellectuals from all over the world. He produced Human Development Reports that sparked policy debate. The report emphasized the common man’s desire for security from disease, water scarcity, food shortage, life security, joblessness, political oppression, and environmental vulnerabilities.
He believed that if investments were not made in South Asia, the region would face a severe crisis. He advocated for ‘capability enhancement’ and ‘access to opportunity’ as elements for long-term improvements in people’s lifestyles. He linked economic growth and human development as an economist. Mahboob-Ul-Haq draws attention to South Asia’s economic segments and the region’s need to shift its focus from armed security to human security. People are going hungry, poverty and injustice are rampant, and yet sophisticated weapons are being developed. South Asia is characterized by extreme poverty on a human scale, as well as serious security concerns due to rising extremism, terrorism, and other evils.
The military conflict between the South Asian states of India and Pakistan has a significant human cost. When it comes to Pakistan, militancy, fanaticism, fundamentalism, ethno-regionalism, violence against its own people, food and water scarcity, financial and energy crisis, inflation, destruction caused by natural disasters, and many human security issues have arisen as a result of the country’s failure to deal with them due to domestic political loopholes. The wide range of threats that the country faces emphasize the need for the development and implementation of inclusive security paradigms. The conventional model of state security is incapable of preventing threats of violence. Due to historical and geopolitical factors, Pakistan’s security policy remained still state until the last decade. The promotion of sectarianism and extremism within the country, which began in the late 1970s, is still a problem in Pakistan. Pakistan is still punishing itself harshly for previous ineffective internal policies.
Security is particularly agitated in the country’s troubled regions, such as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Balochistan, and Karachi. Murder, rape, a flawed justice system, concentration of power and wealth among the few, corruption, unequal resource distribution, and other factors all have an impact on human security in Pakistan. People of different ethnicities and areas living in the same country face relative deprivation, posing a threat to human security. Pakistan has always had a sense of relative deprivation. With the division of East Pakistan, this is understandably justified, and prejudice on the part of the state is to blame for the people’s increased sense of insecurity.
Furthermore, the conflict between the citizens of GB and the federal government of Pakistan stems from the government’s steadfast refusal to grant its citizens their constitutional rights. The government has imposed taxes that benefit the federal government rather than the people. This created a sense of insecurity among the people, leading them to rebel against the state. Balochs are currently experiencing Relative Deprivation as a result of not receiving the rights and amenities they deserve, which has caused discontent and sparked anti-state sentiments. This resulted in an increase in militancy by rebel groups such as the BLA against the establishment. In this chaos, innocent civilians are being harmed unnecessarily.
This argument can be used to explain prostitution and robbery in our country. According to research, robbers in Pakistan are typically between the ages of 18 and 49. It exemplifies the state’s inability to provide both education and employment. The inability of the state to provide what citizens ‘need’ compels them to engage in activities that violate the state’s rules and laws, posing a threat to an individual’s security. Furthermore, our legal system is far too skewed to be trusted. The judicial decision that is made public is the powerful’s secret decision. It has failed not only to provide justice to Balochistan or GB, but also to local citizens.
The single case of Noor Mukhadam’s murder provides a clear picture of our legal system. Despite having a clear video as evidence, the murderer is still on the loose because he comes from a powerful family. Aside from maintaining equality among provinces and local populations, another major issue to address today is ensuring a clean environment and resource management. Water scarcity and inadequacy caused by climate change have irreversible consequences for the state’s citizens’ safety. As a result of this, Pakistan has experienced severe heat waves and flooding. Human lives have been lost as a result of this. In addition, the looming energy crisis must be addressed. The population is increasing rapidly and there are not many amenities.
In conclusion, it can be said that the administrative system is not giving all of these numerous problems in the state the consideration; it ought to. Coordinated actions and consistent policies are needed to take such factors into account. The likelihood of balance will increase as a number of social and political issues are removed from the state. The independence of the judicial system is essential to eradicating many social and political ills.