Securitizing Biosecurity: The Scope for Civil-Military Coordination in Pakistan

Abstract

Biosecurity is often a downplayed element of human security in Pakistan. The leading cause for this is the existence of multiple definitions that are associated with it. Biosciences and medicine are the only fields perceived to be related to biosecurity; the corresponding sectors to these fields are riddled with poor infrastructure problems and lack of resources. To address the need for biosecurity, Pakistan formulated and ratified policies in accordance with the Biological and Toxins Weapons Convention (BTWC). However, lack of implementation of these policies continually undermines the role that biosecurity plays in the state’s entire defense plan. The problem is further compounded by the rising possibility of naturally occurring threats. This study assesses the scope for civil-military coordination to improve Pakistan’s current state of biosecurity. It sheds light on the role that generation of information plays in this regard, and how rapidly advancing methods and research in biotechnology increase the threats that may arise from biological agents, mainly through problems of dual-use. This creates a space for coordination amongst the government, military, and academia. However, the two main barriers need to be  Dr. Najimdeen Bakare teaches at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) NUST, Islamabad  Aisha Ali, a graduate student at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) NUST, Islamabad @2021 by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute. IPRI Journal XXI (2): 1-42 https://doi.org/10.31945/iprij.210201 Securitizing Biosecurity: The Scope for Civil-Military Coordination ... IPRI JOURNAL  2021 2 identified: i.e., the differences in the understanding of biosecurity and the distance between the state and the academia. The military is a significant institution in Pakistan, given Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours. Hence, a collaborative effort by bio-sciences, Public Health Organizations, the state and the military can help identify and prepare for biological threats.