Policy diagnostics for Pakistan’s water security challenge

Abstract

AbstractPakistan is a country already facing water shortages for urban as well as rural water uses. A number of comprehensive water sector reports, a climate change policy, and a national water policy exist, but implementation remains limited due to financial, political, and institutional challenges. The Indus river basin water system is the backbone of the water security in Pakistan and is suffering structural and nonstructural issues of adequate water storage, timely water conveyance, efficient water distribution, and appropriate consumptive use challenges. Inspirational integrated approaches such as integrated water resources management could not be implemented due to national and provincial mandates on the management of surface and ground waters and associated equitable distribution of costs and benefits among stakeholders. This paper presents an overview of the challenges and possible policy options through a diagnostic water balance analysis considering population, cropping patterns, system efficiencies, and storage options.