Ahsan calls for unified, science-driven strategy to ensure national water security

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Apr, 2026) Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday outlined a comprehensive, multi-pronged national strategy to tackle Pakistan’s growing water crisis, urging a unified, science-based approach to ensure long-term water security.

Addressing a Round Table Consultation on National Water Security under “Uraan Pakistan,” the minister said the country’s water challenge was no longer limited to scarcity but also stemmed from persistent mismanagement.

“Sometimes we face extreme shortage and at other times destructive floods, therefore, water management is as critical as water availability,” he remarked.

Calling for a shift beyond “traditional statements,” Ahsan stressed the need for a national consensus on water conservation and a cohesive water security policy.

“This challenge cannot be solved in silos, whether between federation and provinces, sectors or regions. It has now become a matter of national security,” he said, warning that external pressures, including attempts to use water as a strategic tool, had further heightened vulnerabilities.

The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s response must be “national, united, scientific and future-proof,” identifying key pillars of a multi-dimensional strategy.

Highlighting limited storage capacity as a major concern, he mentioned that Pakistan could store water for only around 90 days, far below global benchmarks.

He called for a national agreement on expanding water reservoirs through large, medium and small dams, recharge and delay-action dams, floodwater reservoirs, hill torrent management and urban rainwater harvesting. “New water reserves should be seen as the foundation of national survival, not political debate,” he added.

On water use efficiency, Ahsan pointed out that agriculture consumed the bulk of water but with low productivity due to outdated irrigation practices.

He proposed a national water efficiency and conservation mission, including modernization of irrigation systems, laser land leveling, drip and sprinkler technologies, digital irrigation, wastewater recycling and transparent water accounting.

“We must adopt the principle of more value per drop,” he said, linking water use reforms with crop patterns, subsidies and pricing policies.

The minister also flagged the unchecked exploitation of groundwater, describing it as a “silent lifeline” under threat.

He called for a national groundwater governance framework encompassing aquifer mapping, recharge systems, regulation of extraction, solar tube well management and community-based conservation. “The falling water table and rising pollution are creating a silent storm beneath our feet,” he warned.

Underscoring the role of technology, Ahsan stressed the need to transition towards data-driven water management.

He proposed real-time telemetry, satellite monitoring, artificial intelligence, precision agriculture, smart metering, flood modeling and early warning systems. “Pakistan needs a reliable, real-time national water information system to guide decisions on river flows, groundwater levels, reservoirs and climate risks,” he said.

He further highlighted climate resilience as a key pillar, calling for improved preparedness against droughts, glacier melt and hill torrents, along with better drainage systems and land protection measures within a national resilience framework.

Emphasizing governance reforms, the minister called for stronger coordination between federal and provincial governments and alignment of water security priorities in development planning. “We cannot afford institutional fragmentation or political disputes on such a critical issue,” he said.

Ahsan reiterated that water scarcity would impact all regions and sectors alike, urging collective action. “No province can prosper without water. Our survival depends on a shared, coordinated and forward-looking response,” he added.