close
Tuesday January 28, 2025

Transforming WASH

In terms of sanitation, 79 million individuals do not have access to decent or functional toilets in Pakistan

By Muhammad Awais Umar
January 16, 2025
A girl fills her bottle from a water distribution point in Karachi.  — AFP/File
A girl fills her bottle from a water distribution point in Karachi. — AFP/File

Access to safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is crucial for sustainable development, especially in areas vulnerable to climate change, pandemics, and conflicts.

Pakistan’s commitments to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a pathway to sustainable development and economic growth call for aligning policies, investments, and initiatives with SDGs to foster progress across various sectors, particularly in WASH.

In Pakistan, the stark reality is that millions remain devoid of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. This situation not only poses dire health risks but also undermines efforts towards achieving the SDGs laid out for 2030. Addressing these challenges, thereby strengthening our WASH systems is not merely a matter of improving infrastructure, it is an essential pathway to sustainable development and the well-being of our population.

The statistics surrounding WASH in Pakistan are alarming. With around 21 million people lacking access to safe drinking water, we find ourselves among the top ten countries where a significant portion of the population lives without this necessity. In terms of sanitation, 79 million individuals do not have access to decent or functional toilets, and a staggering 92 per cent of wastewater is discharged untreated into our water bodies. Basic hygiene practices are also sorely lacking; only 46 per cent of the population has a handwashing facility at home.

These deficits contribute to a public health crisis, with child mortality rates linked to waterborne diseases and alarming levels of stunting and malnutrition among children under five. The implications of inadequate WASH facilities extend beyond immediate health concerns. They impose economic burdens, with an estimated four per cent of Pakistan’s GDP loss due to the ramifications of poor sanitation and hygiene. This nexus of health, economic, and environmental challenges underscores the urgent need for effective governance to ensure equitable and sustainable WASH services.

Governance in Pakistan’s WASH sector faces significant challenges, largely stemming from a fragmented framework. However, most of the power such as the management, legislation, and service provisions including water supply and sanitation have been shifted to provinces after the 18th Amendment to the constitution. The ambiguity in management structure and overlapping mandate still exists because of the coexistence of older federal and provincial laws and policies, resulting in inefficiencies and waste of resources. This fragmentation complicates service delivery and contributes to the challenges faced by millions lacking adequate sanitation and water supply.

Therefore, establishing a centralised body steered by one ministry that can provide strategic guidance to provinces and development partners is essential. This centralised body could streamline oversight, enhance service delivery, and improve coordination among all government tiers, drawing inspiration from successful models from Nepal and Bangladesh.

Strengthening governance would improve service delivery and integrate WASH priorities into broader development frameworks. Universal access to WASH services (SDG-6) is not merely a stand-alone priority but a foundational prerequisite for achieving multiple SDGs. It underpins improvements in health (SDG-3), education (SDG-4), gender equality (SDG-5), clean water and sanitation (SDG-6), sustainable cities and communities (SDG-11), and climate action (SDG-13).

Addressing WASH challenges can serve as a multiplier effect, driving progress across these goals and ensuring no one is left behind. For instance, improved health from better WASH conditions results in fewer sick days and increased productivity in the workforce. Enhanced education, particularly for girls, leads to better economic outcomes for families and communities. Furthermore, inclusive approaches to developing WASH services foster greater social cohesion and equity, ensuring no one is left behind.

Integrating climate-resilient WASH into public-sector development planning is a critical step toward achieving these outcomes. By incorporating WASH considerations into Public Sector Development Planning (PSDP), the governments can align development priorities, optimise resource utilisation, and strengthen resilience against climate impacts. This integration is essential to ensure that the governance frameworks and innovative strategies aimed at improving WASH are not implemented in isolation.

Achieving this vision requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. Pakistan’s journey toward sustainable development hinges on our capacity to build an equitable, resilient, and robust WASH system that leaves no one behind and safeguards future generations. The time to act is now; policymakers must prioritise governance reform, allocate resources strategically, and foster collaboration between public and private sectors. Community engagement is equally critical, ensuring that local needs are at the forefront of planning and implementation.

A comprehensive approach would include establishing a national WASH framework that aligns with Vision 2025 and ensures vertical and horizontal coordination among government entities. By institutionalising monitoring mechanisms and integrating health data into WASH planning, policymakers can ensure interventions are data-driven and impactful.

By addressing these challenges head-on, Pakistan can secure a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable future for its people and the planet. Prioritising climate-resilient WASH is not just an obligation, but an opportunity to transform lives and lay the foundation for long-term progress.


The writer is a research associate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad.