Pakistan is confronting a critical water shortage as the country’s per capita water availability has plunged below the internationally recognized water scarcity threshold. Recent official figures reveal that by 2025, the average water availability per person will have dropped to just 899 cubic meters annually, marking a significant decline that pushes Pakistan from a state of water stress into full-blown water scarcity. This alarming development has intensified concerns over the nation’s water security and has accelerated government efforts to expand water storage infrastructure.
The Ministry of Water Resources submitted a comprehensive report to the National Assembly outlining the severity of the situation. The data shows a stark downward trend over the decades: in 1951, Pakistan’s per capita water availability was a relatively abundant 5,260 cubic meters. However, rapid population growth and increasing water demand have caused this figure to shrink drastically, falling to 1,102 cubic meters in 2017, then to 948 cubic meters in 2023, and now projected to reach 899 cubic meters by 2025. Crossing below the 1,000 cubic meter mark is a critical indicator used globally to define water scarcity, highlighting the urgent need for remedial action.
One of the primary drivers behind this sharp decline is Pakistan’s burgeoning population, which stood at approximately 241.49 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to nearly 255 million by 2025. This rapid demographic expansion places immense pressure on the country’s already strained water resources, exacerbating the challenge of ensuring sustainable water supply for agriculture, industry, and domestic use. The report underscores that without effective water management and infrastructure development, the situation could worsen, threatening food security and economic stability.
In response to this growing crisis, the federal government has placed a strong emphasis on constructing new water reservoirs and dams to increase storage capacity and improve water availability. Currently, under the Public Sector Development Programme, there are 18 dam projects of varying sizes underway, with a combined estimated investment exceeding Rs1,036 billion. These projects are designed to add approximately 8.2 million acre-feet of water storage and expand irrigation coverage by over 346,000 acres, which will be vital for supporting agriculture and rural livelihoods.
Among these initiatives, the Diamer Bhasha Dam stands out as a flagship project. Once completed, it is expected to hold around 6.4 million acre-feet of water, significantly boosting irrigation supplies across the Indus Basin Irrigation System. This system currently services about 45 million acres of farmland, making the dam crucial for enhancing water security and agricultural productivity in the region. The dam is also anticipated to contribute to hydroelectric power generation, further supporting Pakistan’s energy needs.
Meanwhile, the water scarcity issue is compounded by geopolitical tensions, such as India’s recent stoppage of water flow from the Kishanganga Dam, which violates the terms of the Indus Waters Treaty. Such actions add complexity to Pakistan’s water management challenges, emphasizing the need for both domestic infrastructure development and diplomatic efforts to safeguard water rights.
Overall, Pakistan’s transition into a water scarcity phase signals an urgent call for comprehensive water conservation strategies, improved resource management, and accelerated infrastructure projects. Without these measures, the country risks facing severe shortages that could impact millions of lives and the broader economy in the years ahead.
