Greater Significance Of Human Security Approach In Policy And Practice In Pakistan: A Case Study Of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Humanity is faced with the existential crisis of an unprecedented nature as the COVID-19 continues to devastate lives and livelihoods across the globe. Arguably, the pre-pandemic world was severely afflicted with numerous human insecurities. However, the pathogenic germ has created new human security problems and exacerbated the exiting human insecurities. In the current context, the biggest takeaway of the unfolding ‘the Great Disruption’, is the universal and dire need for human security -the protection against fear, want and indignity. Rooted in the classical liberal tradition underpinned by its analytical focus on the people, the concept of human security has assumed greater significance for public from America to Afghanistan. Through qualitative analysis based on secondary data, this paper seeks to analyse and underline the seminal significance of human security to be adopted by Pakistan in order to shield public against the non-traditional security threats and preserve state legitimacy challenged by ‘the Great Crisis’. The contagion was a global challenge calling for a global response within the framework of human security approach. The Corona-caused global crisis warrants ‘the Great Reset’ in the policies and priorities of Pakistan required to embrace and instrumentalise the human security paradigm that has emerged as an imperative rather than an option for the country.