World Water Day: a wake-up call for Pakistan

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Pakistan stands on the brink of a water crisis, endangering its development, the well-being of its people, and its future prosperity. According to the UN Global Water Security Assessment 2023, Pakistan is among the 23 most water-insecure countries in the world. The nation's trajectory from water abundance to scarcity has been alarmingly swift.

In 1951, Pakistan's per capita water availability stood at a robust 5,000 cubic meters. Today, it has dwindled to a mere 720 cubic meters. At the dawn of the new millennium, this figure was 1,200 cubic meters — meaning that in just two decades, water availability has declined by 40%, while the population has surged by 65%. Projections suggest that by 2050, Pakistan's population will reach approximately 380 million. At this rate, experts warn that the ratio of water withdrawal to reserves may exceed 100%, pushing the country into a state of absolute water scarcity.

Among the many existential threats Pakistan faces, the water crisis looms as one of the gravest. Erratic rainfall patterns, devastating floods and prolonged droughts — exacerbated by climate change and a rapidly increasing population — are worsening an already dire situation. Despite these warnings, water conservation and management efforts remain woefully inadequate. The consequences are serious: a major proportion of Pakistan's disease burden is linked to waterborne illnesses.

Water mismanagement and unsustainable population growth are stark indicators of governance failure and social injustice. Rural communities, particularly women, bear the brunt of this crisis. Burdened with the responsibility of fetching water — often from distant and unsafe sources - women in impoverished areas also face the encumbrance of closely spaced and repeated pregnancies due to lack of access to family planning services that contribute to adverse health outcomes. Their children, exposed to unsafe water, face a disproportionately higher risk of preventable deaths compared to those in urban areas.

The scarcity of clean drinking water in many rural communities, contrasted with its excessive misuse in affluent urban regions, highlights the glaring disparities in access to essential resources. This crisis is not just about water; it reflects broader systemic failures and societal inequities. The absence of quality education, healthcare and family planning services for the underprivileged reveals a deep-seated apathy toward the poor.

Globally, water scarcity is emerging as a source of geopolitical tension, and Pakistan is no exception. Future conflicts may not be over land or ideology but over access to water. While Pakistan has numerous social sector policies and strategies, their implementation remains a challenge. To translate policies into action, we must strengthen governance structures, establish robust accountability mechanisms and ensure the efficient allocation and utilisation of resources, with a particular focus on marginalised and underserved areas. Pakistan's development ambitions will remain hollow unless they are built on the foundation of an inclusive, equitable society.

It is time for Pakistan to adopt a pro-poor agenda that prioritises sustainable solutions. As the world observes World Water Day today (March 22), we are reminded that water is a critical resource. The Holy Quran describes water as the building block of human life, a source of purification and a force that revives parched land, urging humankind to reflect on its significance.

Our religious teachings emphasise moderation and balance, cautioning against excess in all aspects of life. This principle of equilibrium should extend to how we use our resources. World Water Day is a stark reminder that the time to act is now. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 - ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030 - we must take concrete steps to align population growth with the sustainable management of our limited natural resources.