Pandemics as a Non-Traditional Security Threat in the Context of COVID-19: Exploring Reasons BehindGovernments’ Responses and Policies

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented because it spread in a globalized world of nation-states. In the globalized world, the concept of national security has evolved into comprehensive security. Therefore, the nature of borderless health threats is comprehensive and affects all forms of governance. The Pakistani government's COVID response was evolutionary, just like the rest of the world. It was hypothesized that such responses resulted from a myriad of factors in addition to the population's health. Objective: To explore the insight of policymakers and those involved in the response towards the reasons behind the Pakistani government’s COVID response and their perception of pandemics as a non-traditional security threat. Research Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted in Pakistan from May to November 2021. An in-depth semi-structured interview-based tool was used for data collection comprising 14 individuals involved in legislation, policymaking, and the COVID response. Computer recording software was used to record and save the responses of participants. Simultaneously, essential points and expressions were noted on paper. Prior consent was sought for recording and using their response for data collection, analysis, report writing, and article writing. Results: The COVID response was predicated on many underlying social, economic, and political factors. The subjects are poised that public health interventions must be backed by relevant socio-economic policies, effective coordination, and implementation infrastructure for their success and sustainability. The conception of security is comprehensive and includes health security. The Covid-19 pandemic has strengthened this conception. Discussion: The government resisted enforcing a blanket lockdown despite frantic appeals by public health professionals. The underlying causes of such hesitancy are predicated on socio-economic factors and based on the comprehensive conception of national security that influences state policy. These factors, directly and indirectly, affect the population's health and are often overlooked within the public health discourse. Conclusion: This study included 14 participants involved in legislation, policymaking, or the COVID response. Many issues and opinions were explored, including the conception of national security, health security, COVID response evolution, and coordination's importance. It was concluded that public health and health policy are intertwined with politics, economy, and social factors, especially in an increasingly globalized world.