Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday outlined a comprehensive, multi-pronged national strategy to tackle Pakistan\u2019s growing water crisis, urging a unified, science-based approach to ensure long-term water security.
\nAddressing a Round Table Consultation on National Water Security under \u201cUraan Pakistan,\u201d the minister said the country\u2019s water challenge was no longer limited to scarcity but also stemmed from persistent mismanagement.
\n\u201cSometimes we face extreme shortage and at other times destructive floods, therefore, water management is as critical as water availability,\u201d he remarked.
\nCalling for a shift beyond \u201ctraditional statements,\u201d Ahsan stressed the need for a national consensus on water conservation and a cohesive water security policy.
\n\u201cThis challenge cannot be solved in silos, whether between federation and provinces, sectors or regions. It has now become a matter of national security,\u201d he said, warning that external pressures, including attempts to use water as a strategic tool, had further heightened vulnerabilities.
\nThe minister emphasized that Pakistan\u2019s response must be \u201cnational, united, scientific and future-proof,\u201d identifying key pillars of a multi-dimensional strategy.
\nHighlighting limited storage capacity as a major concern, he mentioned that Pakistan could store water for only around 90 days, far below global benchmarks.
\nHe called for a national agreement on expanding water reservoirs through large, medium and small dams, recharge and delay-action dams, floodwater reservoirs, hill torrent management and urban rainwater harvesting. \u201cNew water reserves should be seen as the foundation of national survival, not political debate,\u201d he added.
\nOn water use efficiency, Ahsan pointed out that agriculture consumed the bulk of water but with low productivity due to outdated irrigation practices.
\nHe proposed a national water efficiency and conservation mission, including modernization of irrigation systems, laser land leveling, drip and sprinkler technologies, digital irrigation, wastewater recycling and transparent water accounting.
\n\u201cWe must adopt the principle of more value per drop,\u201d he said, linking water use reforms with crop patterns, subsidies and pricing policies.
\nThe minister also flagged the unchecked exploitation of groundwater, describing it as a \u201csilent lifeline\u201d under threat.
\nHe called for a national groundwater governance framework encompassing aquifer mapping, recharge systems, regulation of extraction, solar tube well management and community-based conservation. \u201cThe falling water table and rising pollution are creating a silent storm beneath our feet,\u201d he warned.
\nUnderscoring the role of technology, Ahsan stressed the need to transition towards data-driven water management.
\nHe proposed real-time telemetry, satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, smart metering, flood modeling and early warning systems. \u201cPakistan needs a reliable, real-time national water information system to guide decisions on river flows, groundwater levels, reservoirs and climate risks,\u201d he said.
\nHe further highlighted climate resilience as a key pillar, calling for improved preparedness against droughts, glacier melt and hill torrents, along with better drainage systems and land protection measures within a national resilience framework.
\nEmphasizing governance reforms, the minister called for stronger coordination between federal and provincial governments and alignment of water security priorities in development planning. \u201cWe cannot afford institutional fragmentation or political disputes on such a critical issue,\u201d he said.
\nAhsan reiterated that water scarcity would impact all regions and sectors alike, urging collective action. \u201cNo province can prosper without water. Our survival depends on a shared, coordinated and forward-looking response,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday outlined a comprehensive, multi-pronged national strategy to tackle Pakistan\u2019s growing water crisis, urging a unified, science-based approach to ensure long-term water security. Addressing a Round Table Consultation on National Water Security under \u201cUraan Pakistan,\u201d the minister said the country\u2019s water challenge was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":517450,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-543712","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n