Making waves

As the world will mark World Water Day on March 22nd annually, it serves as a poignant global reminder of the crucial role freshwater plays and the imperative for sustainable water management. Within this context, Pakistan grapples with a myriad of water-related challenges, demanding focused attention and collaborative endeavours to unearth viable solutions. The ongoing climate and water emergency have laid bare the shortcomings ingrained in global, national, and local economies, exposing a deficiency in delivering economic, environmental, and social justice for people and our planet.

According to the World Resources Institute’s assessment, Pakistan finds itself ranked 14th among the 17 countries facing ‘extremely high baseline water stress.’ Amidst these challenges, the Indus River stands as the primary water source for over 180 million Pakistanis, but the burgeoning population over the last six decades has imposed new strains on a resource that was once abundant, heralding a new era for the nation’s health and development.

The looming water crisis in Pakistan is underscored by the sobering fact that with the existing 30-day water storage capacity, a staggering 207 million people are slated to encounter ‘absolute scarcity of water.’ This predicament is particularly paradoxical given Pakistan’s abundant water resources, including the formidable Indus River and some of the world’s largest glaciers. Despite this natural endowment, water scarcity has cast its pervasive shadow across the nation. Even with numerous reserves and an impressive glacier count nearing 5000, Pakistan grapples with the inability to systematically harness and utilise this invaluable resource, exacerbating the challenges posed by the impending scarcity.

Nearly 97 per cent of water is used for agriculture, and the remaining 3 per cent is used for domestic, industrial, and other purposes. The insecurity keeps on fluctuating due to mismanagement political and meteorological reasons. However, it has become a consistent issue of concern since COVID-19 hit Pakistan. Due to the unbalance between demand and supply of water, access to safe water has reduced significantly. The floods of 2022 in Pakistan, caused by unprecedented rainfall, affected 30 million people and its impact is likely to last over decades. It is estimated that by 2025 Pakistan will face acute water scarcity.

Uneven waters

In Pakistan, the spectre of water scarcity looms large, echoing a dire need for urgent attention and comprehensive solutions. This crisis, though multifaceted, is united by a common thread of challenges, ranging from regional disparities to climate change-induced uncertainties. As the nation grapples with the impending water emergency, the gravity of the situation is starkly evident across various regions.

In Thar, the longstanding issue of water insufficiency has evolved into a tragic saga, claiming the lives of nearly 1500 children annually. Drought, malnutrition, and inadequate WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities have compounded the predicament, leading to diarrheal deaths and exacerbating an already dire situation. Similarly, in Lahore, the groundwater levels are plummeting at an alarming rate of 1 meter per year, yet authorities remain seemingly inactive in addressing this impending crisis.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) further underscores the severity of Pakistan’s water situation, noting a significant decline in per capita annual water availability from 1500 cubic meters to a mere 1017 cubic meters. Projections indicate a further plunge to 274 million acre-feet (MAF) by 2025, creating a staggering demand-supply gap of approximately 83 MAF. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for strategic and sustainable water management practices.

A substantial portion of this precious resource, approximately 7 million acre-feet, is lost to the sea annually due to government incompetence, lack of strategic planning, and inadequate infrastructure. The absence of a long-term policy to address this crisis, coupled with the limitation of water storage to a mere 30 days, sets Pakistan on a perilous path toward a famine-like situation. Comparisons with other South Asian countries, like India with a 220-day water storage capacity, underscore the urgency of revaluating Pakistan’s water management strategies.

Kelly Ann Naylor, Associate Director of WASH at UNICEF, emphasises that access alone is insufficient if water is not clean, “Mere access is not enough. If the water isn’t clean, isn’t safe to drink, or is far away, and if toilet access is unsafe or limited, then we’re not delivering for the world’s children.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of the challenge faced by Pakistan – a nation grappling not just with scarcity but also with the quality and accessibility of its water resources.

The water scarcity narrative in Pakistan extends beyond quantity to quality, distribution, and management. With a rapidly growing population and inefficient water management practices, the pressure on water resources intensifies. The uneven distribution of water resources, particularly evident along the Indus River, exacerbates regional disparities, leaving certain areas with limited access to this vital resource.

The absence of a long-term policy to address the water crisis, coupled with the limitation of water storage to a mere 30 days, sets Pakistan on a perilous path toward a famine-like situation. Comparisons with other South Asian countries, with a 220-day water storage capacity, underscore the urgency of revaluating Pakistan’s water management strategies.

Climate change acts as a compounding factor, amplifying existing challenges. Irregular rainfall patterns, glacial melt, and extreme weather events contribute to uncertainty in water availability, directly impacting agriculture and livelihoods. Contaminated water further compounds the crisis, posing significant health risks and contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases.

The outdated and inefficient water infrastructure in Pakistan exacerbates the problem. Losses during transportation and distribution, coupled with inadequate storage facilities, contribute to the overall inefficiency of the water supply system. Addressing these challenges necessitates a multifaceted approach that includes modernising infrastructure, reducing wastage, and optimising the utilisation of available water resources.

Exploring alternative water sources, such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater reuse, emerges as a critical strategy to alleviate pressure on existing sources and ensure a more sustainable water supply. Additionally, promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices, like drip irrigation and water-efficient crops, holds promise in conserving water, particularly in a country where agriculture is the predominant consumer.

Valuing Water for Sustainability

In the wake of these challenges, Pakistan hosted the 8th International Water Conference held by UNICEF on ‘Valuing Water for Sustainability’ in March 2024. The conference brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to delve into the intricacies of water-related issues. Dr Hifza Rasheed, Director General of the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), highlighted the country’s vulnerability to climate change and underscored the requisite actions.

The conference addressed critical themes such as leveraging innovation for Pakistan’s water future, rainwater harvesting to manage urban flooding, climate change adaptability, water governance, and the water, energy, food nexus. The discussions, insights, and research findings aimed to contribute meaningfully to constructing a future characterised by resilience and sustainability in water, food, and ecosystems.

“It was vital to have this dialogue, especially in a water-scarist country. Our overarching goal is to contribute meaningfully to constructing a future characterised by resilience and sustainability,” shared Mark Smith, Director General, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), at the recently held Pakistan Water Week Conference in Islamabad.

Former President Dr Arif Alvi said that Pakistan needs to employ more innovative and less water-intensive practices, such as drip and spray irrigation in agriculture to avert the looming water shortage crisis. “The agriculture sector consumes around 95 per cent of the country’s water, requiring immediate planning and reforms to improve efficiency,” he explained. He pointed out that Pakistan’s water crisis is a pressing issue, worsened by population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation, depletion of resources, environmental problems, climate change, and irrational human behaviour.

The water crisis in Pakistan persists as a silent yet pressing concern. The 21st century has ushered in a new era, where the direct impact on the world’s water resources takes centre stage. Boiling oceans, melting ice, rising sea levels, unprecedented downpours, and frequent storms characterise this era, making water-related disasters the major manifestation of the climate emergency.

Environmental and energy conservation, water treatment and recycling, and renewable energy sources have become integral considerations for water and energy equipment and usage. In this intricate dance between water and energy, the importance of these utilities has garnered heightened awareness.

As the world directs its attention to the climate emergency, it is imperative not to forget the concurrent water crisis. This century, marked by its direct impact on the world’s water, demands a shift in focus towards managing water-related disasters. Governments, corporates, organisations, academics, and citizens must prioritise strategies to navigate the changing seasons, natural regions, ecosystems, and agro-ecological zones affected by the global water regime.

A splash of change

In Pakistan, water is slipping away, like a silent story of dry rivers and shrinking resources. The nation faces a challenge marked by scarcity, mismanagement, and a growing demand-supply gap. Yet, in this test, innovation and unity become the steadfast anchors, steering Pakistan towards a sustainable and hydrated future to keep the taps flowing.

Pakistan successfully made its case in COP 27 that it is a very small producer of global greenhouse gases, but carries the brunt of the pollution caused by the developed world. They must all be heard. Spurred by the success of the 6th Karachi International Water Conference organised by Hisaar Foundation (HF), three initiatives have been launched within a month of the conference. These transformative endeavours, outlined in a declaration following the conference, underscore Pakistan’s commitment to addressing critical water and climate challenges. Simi Kamal, Chairperson HF, emphasised the need to incorporate justice issues into water discourse, “We feel it is now time to invert this relationship and introduce water and climate change onto ongoing platforms of justice and human rights. As a start, we are forming a committee, titled ‘Water and Climate Justice Committee’, to work with the chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.”

Several organisations across Pakistan are actively contributing to addressing the water challenges, with a focus on healthcare, clean water and (WASH) initiatives. Among these entities is Malteser International, situated in Peshawar, Pakistan. This international NGO’s mission is to provide essential medical and mental health support, along with WASH services, utilising local resources and fostering collaboration with local partners.

Similarly, WaterAid Pakistan, headquartered in Islamabad, is another significant player in the realm of water-related non-profit activities. Since its establishment in 1981, WaterAid’s mission revolves around ensuring access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene for everyone in Pakistan.

Further contributing to the cause is the Water, Environment, and Sanitation Society (WESS) in Quetta, Pakistan. Functioning as a WASH-focused NGO, WESS, established in 1999, is actively involved in various areas, including sustainable livelihood, environmental initiatives, human rights advocacy, social and economic empowerment, as well as emergency relief efforts during disasters.

These organisations exemplify the collective commitment to alleviating water-related challenges in Pakistan, emphasising not only immediate needs such as medical and mental health support but also long-term solutions through sustainable livelihood and environmental efforts.

Pak Water & Energy Expo 2024 is being organised considering these aspects in mind. It is an integrated exhibition held annually since 2016 and has become a leading platform for Water and Energy related equipment manufacturers, vendors and service providers. Both local and international exhibitors participate in this event.

The exhibition serves as a platform for showcasing plants and equipment manufacturers, as well as material suppliers in the Water & Energy industry. Over a three-day event, it brings together all the stakeholders in one location, fostering collaboration and advancing the common cause.

In conclusion, the water crisis in Pakistan demands a holistic and collaborative approach. From regional disparities and climate change impacts to outdated infrastructure and inefficient management practices, the road to water security requires strategic interventions at multiple levels. Initiatives, conferences, and policy changes signify the nation’s determination to overcome these challenges and script a narrative of resilience, sustainability, and shared responsibility. The tale of Pakistan’s water journey is not merely a compilation of statistics; it’s a collective story of resilience and determination. NGOs, conferences, and initiatives all contribute to this tale of a nation determined to make a splash this World Water Day. The journey is fraught with difficulties, but the waves of innovation, collaboration, and commitment propel Pakistan towards a watertight future - a future where every drop counts.

The writer is a reporter and sub-editor at You! Magazine, The News International. She can be reached at wallia_ khairi@hotmail.com