DND Report:
Water scarcity has become one of the most frightening challenges for Pakistan. According to international rankings, the country stands 14th among the 17 nations facing “extremely high water risk.” As a lower riparian state to India, nearly 78 percent of Pakistan’s water flows from across the border. Yet, only two-thirds of this water is effectively utilized, while one-third is lost or discharged into the sea due to the absence of adequate storage facilities.
Water is the foundation of civilization. Where rivers flow abundantly, agriculture flourishes; where irrigation is reliable, economies grow; and where industries have access to consistent water sources, societies prosper. Pakistan, despite being home to one of the largest canal irrigation systems in the world, paradoxically faces acute water scarcity. Experts warn that without timely reforms, the country could face a severe shortage in the coming decades. This is not merely an environmental issue—it is an existential crisis that touches food security, agriculture, energy, health, and national security.
Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, consuming more than 90 percent of the country’s water resources. Yet its contribution to GDP is less than 25 percent. Outdated farming practices, inefficient irrigation systems, and canal seepage waste billions of cubic meters of water annually. Watercourses remain unlined, illegal extraction is rampant, and there is almost no regulation of groundwater usage.
Pakistan’s storage capacity is alarmingly low—just 30 days’ worth of reserves compared to India’s 170 days. This limited capacity leaves the country vulnerable to floods in monsoon months and droughts in dry seasons.
The 2025 Monsoon Wastage
The latest figures from the 2025 monsoon highlight how mismanagement turns blessing into loss:
- Total water storage capacity: 13.68 MAF (Million Acre-Feet)
- Current status:
o Tarbela Dam: filled to capacity (5.85 MAF)
o Mangla Dam: 75% filled (5.48/7.28 MAF)
o Rawal, Khanpur, Simly Dams: all filled to capacity (0.12 MAF combined)
o Hub Dam: 80% filled (0.51/0.64 MAF)
Despite these storages, 14 MAF of freshwater was discharged into the sea in July–August 2025—more than the entire storage capacity of the country.
This wastage is enormous when viewed in agricultural terms. Pakistan has 30.93 million hectares of arable land, of which nearly 8.2 million hectares remain uncultivated. Saving just 1 MAF of water can irrigate 877,000 acres. Had the 14 MAF been saved, it could have irrigated 12.2 million acres of wasteland, producing wheat worth $4.2 billion at minimum yield—and up to $12–14 billion at high yield. In other words, every MAF of wasted water costs Pakistan nearly $1 billion.
To conserve this wasted resource, Pakistan needs around 170 small dams the size of Kurram Tangi Dam (capacity: 0.084 MAF).
What is needed?
- Building New Dams and Reservoirs
Mega projects like Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Mohmand Dam must be prioritized, alongside dozens of smaller reservoirs at regional levels. Local dams not only store water but also help recharge groundwater and protect communities from floods.
- Modernizing Agriculture
Traditional flood irrigation wastes up to 60 percent of water. Transitioning to modern techniques like drip and sprinkler irrigation can save huge amounts while boosting yields. The government must incentivize farmers through subsidies, training, and technology transfer.
- Regulating Groundwater and Promoting Rain Harvesting
Groundwater extraction currently remains unregulated, leading to overuse and contamination. Licensing, pricing, and monitoring systems should be introduced. Rainwater harvesting—both at household and community levels—can significantly replenish aquifers.
- Reforming Urban Water Management
Cities suffer from leaking pipelines, illegal connections, and unmetered consumption. Modernizing urban supply systems and investing in recycling wastewater—especially for industrial use—can drastically reduce the strain on freshwater resources.
An Existential Crisis, But Not an Unsolvable One
Water scarcity in Pakistan is not a distant worry—it is an unfolding crisis. Declining per capita availability, rising population, outdated infrastructure, and unchecked demand are pushing the nation toward food shortages, health risks, and socio-political instability.
Yet, this crisis is not insurmountable. With wise policymaking, urgent investments in infrastructure, efficient farming methods, and a nationwide culture of water conservation, Pakistan can turn the tide.
Water is not just a natural resource—it is survival itself. The choices Pakistan makes today will determine whether its future generations inherit green fields of prosperity or barren lands thirsting for a drop of life.
