Dr Shabana Safdar Khan
Preventable crises are often the most destructive — and Pakistan’s escalating water emergency is a case in point. A recent World Bank report on global water conservation has issued a dire warning: Pakistan ranks among the world’s worst performers in agricultural water use at a time when the nation is drying at an alarming pace. The report places Pakistan alongside just five other countries where reckless water management and accelerating aridity are colliding with dangerous force.
Globally, the world is losing an estimated 324 billion cubic metres of freshwater every year — enough to meet the annual needs of 280 million people. This crisis is not driven solely by natural scarcity but by human negligence: unsustainable farming, poorly regulated extraction, and the expansion of crops that consume far more water than local climates can provide. For Pakistan — where agriculture guzzles more than 90% of freshwater and climate-induced droughts are worsening — this data should serve as a national emergency alert.
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Over the last two decades, Pakistan’s agricultural economy has moved in precisely the wrong direction. Instead of adjusting to environmental realities, farmers have been incentivised to grow water-intensive crops like rice and sugarcane. These crops not only consume disproportionate amounts of water but also leave the soil more saline and less fertile over time. The irrigation systems that support this model are relics of another era — leaky canals, poorly maintained watercourses, and wasteful flood irrigation practices that lose vast quantities of water before it ever reaches the roots of crops.
The consequences of this inefficiency extend beyond agriculture. Depleted aquifers, vanishing wetlands, and unchecked deforestation are eroding the country’s ecological balance. Groundwater, once seen as a dependable reserve, is now being pumped at unsustainable rates, lowering water tables in key agricultural zones such as southern Punjab and Sindh. Without reform, entire regions may soon face irreversible water stress, forcing migration and deepening rural poverty.
The World Bank’s findings should shake Pakistan’s leadership into urgent action. Mere rhetoric about “water scarcity” cannot substitute for structural change. What is needed now is a pragmatic, three-dimensional response: first, a shift away from water-intensive crops; second, the modernisation of irrigation systems; and third, realistic water pricing that reflects scarcity and discourages waste. Without these steps, Pakistan will remain trapped in a self-inflicted cycle of crisis.
A transition to less thirsty crops is both technically feasible and economically rational. Cotton, pulses, oilseeds, and millets are far better suited to Pakistan’s semi-arid conditions. However, such a transition requires rethinking the current subsidy framework, which unfairly rewards inefficient cropping patterns. Policymakers must provide incentives — through research, credit facilities, and guaranteed procurement — for farmers to adopt crops that conserve water while maintaining livelihoods.
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Equally urgent is the overhaul of irrigation infrastructure. Pakistan’s canal systems, originally built during the colonial period, lose up to 40% of water due to seepage and evaporation. Modern irrigation techniques — such as drip and sprinkler systems — can reduce water use by half while improving yields. Yet, adoption remains low due to high installation costs and lack of awareness. A targeted public-private partnership model could bridge this gap, bringing modern irrigation to small and medium farmers through subsidised programs.
Water pricing reform may be the most politically sensitive but also the most critical measure. Currently, water is practically free in many areas, leading to rampant overuse. A rational pricing structure — one that charges more for excessive consumption but protects small farmers — can align economic incentives with conservation goals. Several countries facing similar crises, such as Israel and Australia, have demonstrated that smart water pricing coupled with technology can dramatically reduce waste without crippling agriculture.
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Beyond agriculture, Pakistan must also invest in water governance. Fragmented management between federal and provincial authorities often leads to duplication, inefficiency, and lack of accountability. Establishing a centralised yet transparent regulatory authority to oversee water usage, monitor groundwater extraction, and enforce conservation standards is essential. Moreover, climate adaptation must become integral to agricultural planning. With glaciers receding and rainfall becoming erratic, Pakistan cannot rely on outdated water assumptions drawn from a bygone climate era.
Urban planning and public awareness must also evolve. Cities like Karachi and Lahore waste millions of gallons daily through leakage, poor recycling, and unregulated groundwater extraction. Meanwhile, industrial discharge continues to contaminate freshwater sources, compounding scarcity with pollution. Public education campaigns promoting water-saving habits and household-level conservation technologies — from rainwater harvesting to wastewater recycling — can make a measurable difference.
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At the heart of this crisis lies a governance failure. Successive governments have issued warnings but failed to act decisively. Water policy remains fragmented between federal ministries, provincial departments, and local bodies — none of which coordinate effectively. The National Water Policy of 2018 was a promising start, but implementation has been sluggish and underfunded. Without political ownership, even the most sophisticated strategies remain paper plans.
The irony is that Pakistan’s water emergency is entirely preventable. The country still has the natural endowments to achieve water security — vast river systems, glacial reserves, and fertile lands. What is missing is a governance model that treats water as a strategic national asset rather than an infinite commodity. Unless this mindset changes, the country’s economic and social stability will remain at risk.
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Pakistan’s survival in the coming decades will depend not on military strength or foreign aid but on how effectively it manages its water. The World Bank report should be a wake-up call — not another forgotten warning. If the government and public fail to act now, the next drought may not just wither crops; it could erode the very foundations of national security and human survival.
