Pakistan Faces Critical Water Shortage Crisis

Government officials disclosed recently that Pakistan is in deep water trouble because its residents now have 1,017 cubic meters each to use per year which stands near global scarcity at 1,000 cubic meters.

The main reservoirs of Pakistan operate close to empty because Tarbela supplies just 73,000 acre-feet of water which stands 9 feet above last usable levels. Official records show Pakistan holds water supply for less than 30 days although other nations usually keep water reserves for 120 days.

Dr. Aisha Rahman from Pakistan Institute of Development Economics explains that we experience both climate change impacts and water misuse triggers this unprecedented problem. The late 2024 winter showed 70% less rainfall which made the existing water problems worse.

Rising Earth temperatures break up Himalayan glaciers faster than ever while altering when and how much rain falls putting Pakistan at increased risk for water shortages. The farming industry works at 40% employment but needs immediate water protection because wheat needs many growing resources.

Key factors driving the crisis include:

• Over 70% decrease in per capita water availability in the past 70 years
• Inefficient irrigation practices wasting significant resources
• Critical infrastructure deficiencies causing leakage and evaporation
• Rising temperatures accelerating glacial melt rates

The cities of Karachi and Lahore both suffer from water shortages which drive people to use contaminated tankers at high prices due to lack of access to clean drinking water.

Pakistan’s water problems become more difficult because they now affect relations with India and Afghanistan while both countries develop water resources.

Specialists confirm that effective solutions exist right now if Pakistan moves quickly to upgrade its irrigation network and grow water reserves while also changing the rules that cause this crisis.