Water Crisis in Pakistan: Governance & Scarcity Issues

Imagine waking up in Karachi in 2030: your taps have run completely dry, forcing you to queue for hours at a tanker just to get a few buckets of water. The price of everyday vegetables has doubled overnight due to failed crops and shrinking agricultural yields, while hospitals are overwhelmed with children and elderly patients suffering from waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis. This isn’t a scene from a dystopian film, this is a very real and looming threat to Pakistan’s future if immediate and meaningful action is not taken.

Water is not just a necessity, it is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, the foundation of its agriculture, and the lifeblood of its people. Yet today, the country finds itself on the verge of a full-scale water crisis that could spiral into a humanitarian disaster and destabilize the entire socio-economic landscape. Back in 1951, Pakistan enjoyed a comfortable per capita water availability of 5,260 cubic meters, which was more than sufficient to meet the needs of its population. Fast forward to 2024, that figure has plunged to around 850 cubic meters, according to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), categorizing the country as “water stressed.”

If current trends continue, Pakistan is projected to dip below 500 cubic meters per capita by 2030, a level defined as “absolute water scarcity.” This means the country will not have enough water to meet even the most basic human and environmental needs. The consequences will be dire: food insecurity, public health crises, urban unrest, and intensified regional tensions over shared water sources. The urgency is clear. Without bold reforms, strategic investments, and collective responsibility, Pakistan’s water crisis will become an existential threat to its future prosperity and stability.

Growing Water Scarcity

Pakistan's dependency on the Indus River system and its tributaries makes it highly vulnerable to both climatic shifts and regional political tension particularly with India, which controls the upper reaches of the basin. While the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty has helped prevent major conflict, the growing impacts of climate change and the construction of more upstream water infrastructure by India have disrupted the once-predictable flow of the river.

At the heart of the crisis is Pakistan’s rapidly expanding population, now exceeding 240 million and projected to surpass 300 million by 2050. This surge places overwhelming pressure on water resources, escalating demand across domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors. Urban megacities like Karachi and Lahore face severe water shortages due to outdated infrastructure, poor management, and inequitable distribution.

Agriculture, the largest consumer of water in Pakistan, uses over 93% of the country’s freshwater resources. Yet, water efficiency remains shockingly low. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 60% of water is wasted through seepage in canals and unlined watercourses. Outmoded irrigation practices, particularly flood irrigation, waste as much as 50–60% more water than modern drip systems. Moreover, the cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane in arid regions further exacerbates the stress on already depleted water supplies.

Pakistan’s water storage capacity is another critical issue. The country can only store enough water for 30 days, far less than the global norm of 120 days. In contrast, India stores water for an average of 220 days, and Egypt for up to 700 days. Over 35 million acre-feet (MAF) of water annually flows into the Arabian Sea without being utilized due to insufficient storage capacity. As major reservoirs such as Tarbela and Mangla age and suffer from sedimentation, new projects like the Diamer-Bhasha Dam face delays, stalled by political, financial, and administrative hurdles.

Another alarming factor is unregulated groundwater extraction. Pakistan is the fourth-largest user of groundwater in the world, withdrawing over 50 MAF annually. With more than 1.2 million tube wells operating largely unchecked, water tables are falling by 0.5 to 1 meter per year in regions like Punjab, and aquifers in Balochistan are depleting faster than they can recharge.

Water quality is another pressing concern. According to the PCRWR, 70–80% of Pakistan’s water is unsafe for drinking, contaminated with harmful substances such as arsenic, nitrates, and bacteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40% of diseases and 30% of deaths in Pakistan are water related. Shockingly, more than 50,000 children under the age of five die each year from diarrhea linked to unsafe drinking water, according to UNICEF.

The impact of climate change only adds fuel to the fire. Ranked 8th on the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Glaciers in the Indus Basin, which feed Pakistan's river system, are melting at a rate of 1 meter per year. Additionally, the country faces increasing droughts and floods. The 2022 floods alone displaced over 33 million people and caused damage exceeding $30 billion, destroying vital infrastructure and agricultural lands.

Impacts of the Water Dilemma

The consequences of Pakistan’s water crisis are far-reaching and devastating. Declining agricultural productivity, especially for water-intensive crops, is just one of many impacts. As water becomes scarcer, Pakistan is struggling to meet its food demand, exacerbating food insecurity, rural poverty, and inflation. According to the World Bank, water-related losses could cost Pakistan up to 4–7% of its GDP each year, a staggering blow to the nation’s economic growth and stability.

Industries, too, are suffering from water shortages and poor-quality water, which hinder production and reduce Pakistan’s competitiveness in global markets. The textile and food processing industries, which rely heavily on water, are particularly affected. Additionally, the healthcare system is under extreme strain as it grapples with a rising tide of waterborne diseases. WHO reports that 30–40% of all illnesses in Pakistan are water-related, including life-threatening diseases like diarrhea, cholera, hepatitis, and typhoid.

The scarcity of water is also triggering intense inter-provincial disputes over water allocations from the Indus River. Tensions between Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan are growing, as each province struggles to secure its share of diminishing resources. These conflicts not only fuel social unrest but also threaten the unity of the nation, further complicating efforts to address the water crisis.

Internationally, while the Indus Waters Treaty has so far helped prevent outright conflict with India, the growing number of dams and diversion projects being built by India in Kashmir pose a significant challenge to future cooperation. As Pakistan’s water situation becomes more precarious, regional cooperation on transboundary water management will become increasingly difficult to navigate.

The Way Forward

To avert a full-scale water crisis, Pakistan must act swiftly and decisively. The country’s future hinges on how effectively it transforms its approach to water management. Water must be treated not just as a sectoral issue, but as a national priority embedded deeply into the country's economic planning and development agenda. This transformation demands a long-term vision, strong political will, inclusive policies, and the active engagement of stakeholders at all levels.

One of the most urgent priorities is expanding water storage capacity across the country. At present, Pakistan can only store a limited number of days' worth of water, leaving it highly vulnerable to seasonal variations and climate-induced disruptions. Critical projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha and Dassu Dams must be expedited to ensure long-term water security. However, these large-scale dams should be complemented by the development of smaller reservoirs and water bodies, particularly in rural, hilly, and drought-prone regions. Desilting existing dams to restore their original capacity, along with promoting rainwater harvesting at the community level, will further boost water availability during dry spells and reduce reliance on groundwater.

Agricultural water use, which consumes around 90% of the country’s freshwater resources, must also be modernized. Traditional flood irrigation methods result in enormous water loss, and transitioning to water-efficient technologies like drip and sprinkler irrigation is imperative. In parallel, adopting techniques such as laser land leveling and lining watercourses can help minimize wastage. There must be a national push to encourage farmers to grow less water-intensive and drought-tolerant crops, particularly in water-scarce regions. Government-backed extension services should be expanded to provide hands-on training and introduce financial incentives that promote conservation-focused farming practices.

Urban water management is another pressing concern. With growing urbanization, Pakistan’s cities are increasingly strained by outdated and poorly maintained water supply systems. Much of the municipal water infrastructure suffers from severe leakage and loss, with estimates suggesting that up to 30-40% of water is lost before it reaches households. The introduction of water metering, enforcement of rational pricing structures, and firm action against theft and illegal connections can significantly enhance efficiency and fairness. Simultaneously, there must be incentives for wastewater recycling, especially for industrial, construction, and landscaping purposes. Encouraging rainwater harvesting in residential and commercial buildings could provide substantial supplementary water sources.

Groundwater depletion poses another serious risk to Pakistan’s water future. The widespread and largely unregulated use of tube wells has led to rapid aquifer exhaustion. To reverse this trend, the government must introduce licensing systems for groundwater extraction, ensure real-time monitoring through smart technologies like IoT, and invest in artificial groundwater recharge through retention basins and infiltration wells. Establishing a comprehensive, enforceable national groundwater management policy is urgently needed to bring this critical resource under control.

The issue of water pollution cannot be ignored either. The contamination of rivers, canals, and groundwater by untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff presents grave risks to both public health and ecosystems. Pakistan must significantly expand investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure, particularly in major urban centers. Industries should be held accountable for adhering to effluent standards, and environmental monitoring agencies must be empowered to enforce regulations. Nationwide campaigns to raise public awareness about water hygiene, pollution control, and conservation can help build a collective sense of responsibility.

Good governance is at the heart of sustainable water management. Pakistan’s National Water Policy (2018) must be operationalized with clear timelines and enforcement mechanisms. A central water authority should be established or strengthened to coordinate between provinces and ensure data-driven decision-making. Creating a unified, transparent, and real-time water database will help track usage patterns, monitor availability, and detect pollution, thereby guiding timely policy interventions.

As climate change accelerates, its impact on Pakistan’s water systems is becoming more severe. Therefore, adapting to these changes is not optional, it is essential. Investment in flood and drought early warning systems, climate-resilient agricultural practices, and glacier monitoring programs must be scaled up. Urban planning must integrate flood mitigation strategies, including the restoration of natural floodplains and the enforcement of zoning laws to prevent construction in vulnerable areas.

Lastly, addressing the water crisis requires collective action. Communities, NGOs, and the private sector must all be engaged in designing and implementing localized solutions. Promoting water literacy in schools, leveraging social media for awareness campaigns, and recognizing community-led conservation efforts can help cultivate a culture of stewardship. In parallel, the adoption of new technologies, from satellite-based monitoring to desalination in coastal regions, must be encouraged through funding and research. Academic institutions and innovation hubs should be supported to explore localized solutions tailored to Pakistan’s diverse regions.

Given that water crosses both national and regional boundaries, international cooperation is equally vital. Pakistan should maintain and deepen its engagement with global organizations such as the World Bank, UNDP, and ADB for technical and financial support. Equally, bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries, particularly India, is essential for joint management of transboundary rivers, glacier monitoring, and disaster preparedness. Without such collaboration, long-term regional water security will remain elusive.

In summary, water is not just a resource, it is the foundation of life, food security, economic stability, and national security. The path forward demands urgency, innovation, and collective resolve. If Pakistan rises to the occasion, it can transform its water crisis into an opportunity for sustainable development and resilience.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s water dilemma is not just a matter of scarcity; it is a crisis of governance, mismanagement, and neglect. With its economy, food security, and public health increasingly dependent on water, the country cannot afford to ignore the warning signs any longer. The reality of a water-scarce Pakistan is fast approaching, and with it, the risk of destabilizing the nation’s socio-economic structure.

The solutions are clear and achievable. From improving water storage and irrigation efficiency to regulating groundwater use and tackling pollution, Pakistan has the tools at its disposal to avert disaster. However, these measures require swift, bold, and unified action at all levels of society, government, industry, and communities alike. Water must be placed at the center of national development planning, and its management must be elevated to a priority on par with national security.

What Pakistan needs now is strong political will, sustained public awareness, and international support. The time to act is now and not tomorrow. If Pakistan rises to this challenge, it can secure its future, not just for this generation, but for many more to come. Water is life. Protecting it is not just an environmental issue but an imperative for the survival and prosperity of the nation.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is a former Pakistan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP and IFAD.

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