roundwater is crucial for Pakistan’s water security. It caters to more than 50 percent of agricultural irrigation and 90 percent of drinking water needs. The Punjab uses around 90 percent of the country’s total extracted groundwater.

In the Punjab, the reliance on groundwater has intensified. The trend is driven by the demands of agriculture, rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion. Over-extraction, unregulated pumping, pollution and weak governance mechanisms have led to alarming declines in water table and deteriorating water quality. The marginalised groups are most vulnerable in this regard.

This crisis is especially acute in districts like Rahim Yar Khan, where unchecked tube-well drilling and water-intensive cropping patterns have strained the aquifer. Groundwater governance is challenging as it is an invisible yet widely shared resource among diverse interest-holders.

Recognising the need to address this unique challenge, the IWMI-Pakistan, under the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains, launched a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) for groundwater governance for the Indus Basin. The MSP was piloted in Rahim Yar Khan, bringing together multiple actors to rethink groundwater management.

From the outset, the platform aimed to address the critical gaps in groundwater governance by fostering collaboration among stakeholders and aligning local actions with provincial policies, particularly the Punjab Water Act 2019. This Act prioritizes groundwater use for domestic needs, followed by agriculture, industry, and environmental requirements.

Yet, as a participant from the Agriculture Department noted, the challenge lies not just in implementing the Act but in ensuring that its benefits reach the communities it seeks to protect. Farmers, industry representatives, municipal authorities and civil society actors convened under this initiative to discuss these implementation gaps, ensuring that policy frameworks translate into tangible outcomes on the ground, particularly for under-represented groups for this purpose, small land-holding farmers, women and youth were invited through social and personal networks.

The platform’s first meeting identified Rahim Yar Khan’s groundwater challenges, including depletion, pollution and lack of awareness of sustainable groundwater management among users. A Public Health Engineering Department official highlighted the widespread water quality and contamination issues, stating that groundwater in urban areas like Rahim Yar Khan city is brackish in 80 percent of locations. Outdated sewerage systems exacerbate the issue by contaminating drinking water, leading to waterborne diseases.

Farmers echoed these concerns, emphasising that declining water tables force them to dig deeper wells, often at unsustainable costs. “We depend on groundwater because we have no choice,” remarked a farmer. These insights underpinned the need for coordinated efforts, particularly in raising awareness and introducing regulatory frameworks that encourage sustainable practices.

Subsequent meetings moved beyond diagnostics to action planning, with notable progress in data collection and stakeholder engagement. The IWMI team informed the participants that the geo-referencing of over 80,000 tubewells by the Punjab Irrigation Department provided granular insights into extraction patterns and water quality across the district.

This data is now being integrated into the Groundwater Management Information System, a digital tool designed and developed by IWMI to support evidence-based decision-making. However, as an irrigation expert pointed out, mapping is only the first step. What matters is how this data informs real-time interventions, like regulating solar-powered tubewells to prevent over-extraction.

One of the most notable achievements of the MSP has been its ability to bring together diverse groups — farmers, civil society, academia, the private sector and government representatives — fostering dialogue and a little accountability among stakeholders who rarely interact this closely in traditional settings. For example, during one meeting, a farmer raised serious concerns about industrial pollution in Rahim Yar Khan, pointing to its harmful impacts on groundwater quality and public health. A representative from the Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged the issue and promised action.

Despite these successes, the platform has faced significant challenges. Shifting entrenched behaviours remains a daunting task. Farmers, for example, remain hesitant to transition from water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice to alternatives. Market dynamics dictate the farmers’ decisions. Without financial incentives or assured markets, we cannot take new risks, said a farmer who has resisted adopting low-delta crops.

Similarly, industry representatives highlighted the financial burden of transitioning to sustainable practices, such as wastewater treatment systems. “While industries want to comply, a lack of clear guidelines and financial support makes it difficult,” said a private-sector participant.

Institutional coordination also emerged as a recurring challenge. Departments responsible for agriculture, irrigation and public health often operate in silos, leading to overlaps and inefficiencies. One municipal official lamented, “There’s a constant turf war between local government bodies and public health engineering, delaying critical infrastructure upgrades.” Participants called for a unified governance framework that promotes accountability and collaboration, a proposal that aligns with the platform’s objective of fostering trust and coherence among stakeholders.

The platform’s third meeting in September 2024 marked a turning point by shifting focus to actionable solutions. Participants emphasied the need for both short-term interventions, like groundwater recharge wells and filtration systems, and long-term strategies, such as crop zoning and licensing mechanisms.

The idea of water quotas resonated strongly, with a policy expert noting that a quota system could ensure fair distribution while curbing overuse. However, its success depends on transparent enforcement. Financial incentives, such as tax breaks and low-interest loans, were also highlighted as tools to encourage sustainable practices among farmers and industries.

Gender inclusion featured prominently in the discussions. Women, who play a central role in water management within households, often remain excluded from decision-making processes. “Our voices are rarely heard, yet we bear the brunt of water shortages,” said a female participant from a local research institution.

Looking ahead, the platform aims to scale its successes while addressing persistent challenges. Expanding data-driven tools like GMIS, piloting community-based monitoring programs and leveraging digital platforms for awareness campaigns are key priorities.

Achieving this vision requires sustained political will, financial investment and a commitment to inclusivity.

The writers work at the International Water Management Institute, Pakistan.