ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must move beyond short-term emergency responses and adopt a comprehensive national water security policy to address the country’s growing flood risks and worsening water crisis, according to a research report launched by EMPAK Strategies at a seminar in Islamabad.
The report, titled ‘Water, Climate and Diplomacy: Securing Pakistan’s Indus Basin Future’, said the recent surge in water flows in the Chenab River during the monsoon season has once again exposed major weaknesses in Pakistan’s water management system. It argued that extreme rainfall, upstream river flows, inadequate water storage capacity, ageing irrigation infrastructure, poor groundwater governance and limited flood preparedness have significantly increased the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
According to the report, climate change, rapid glacier melt, population growth, deteriorating irrigation networks, unchecked groundwater extraction and mounting pressure on the Indus Basin have pushed Pakistan into a severe water security crisis.
It stressed that the country must strengthen domestic water governance while simultaneously pursuing proactive regional water diplomacy.
Addressing the seminar, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Sheikh said the Indus Waters Treaty could not be suspended or terminated unilaterally.
He described any such move by India as illegal and in violation of international law, warning that continued tensions over water could have serious consequences not only for South Asia but also for global peace and economic stability.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Younis, chief executive officer of EMPAK Strategies, said the recent rise in Chenab River flows demonstrated that water security should no longer be viewed solely as a seasonal flood management issue.
He emphasised that Pakistan required a long-term strategy integrating stronger domestic water governance, climate resilience, expanded water storage and proactive regional water diplomacy.
He said water security had become fundamental to Pakistan’s economic stability, food security and national security, adding that strengthening institutions, investing in modern infrastructure and adopting sciencebased planning were essential to building resilience against future climateand water-related challenges. Staff ReporterISLAMABAD: Pakistan must move beyond short-term emergency responses and adopt a comprehensive national water security policy to address the country’s growing flood risks and worsening water crisis, according to a research report launched by EMPAK Strategies at a seminar in Islamabad.
The report, titled ‘Water, Climate and Diplomacy: Securing Pakistan’s Indus Basin Future’, said the recent surge in water flows in the Chenab River during the monsoon season has once again exposed major weaknesses in Pakistan’s water management system. It argued that extreme rainfall, upstream river flows, inadequate water storage capacity, ageing irrigation infrastructure, poor groundwater governance and limited flood preparedness have significantly increased the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
According to the report, climate change, rapid glacier melt, population growth, deteriorating irrigation networks, unchecked groundwater extraction and mounting pressure on the Indus Basin have pushed Pakistan into a severe water security crisis.
It stressed that the country must strengthen domestic water governance while simultaneously pursuing proactive regional water diplomacy.
Addressing the seminar, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Sheikh said the Indus Waters Treaty could not be suspended or terminated unilaterally.
He described any such move by India as illegal and in violation of international law, warning that continued tensions over water could have serious consequences not only for South Asia but also for global peace and economic stability.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahmad Younis, chief executive officer of EMPAK Strategies, said the recent rise in Chenab River flows demonstrated that water security should no longer be viewed solely as a seasonal flood management issue.
He emphasised that Pakistan required a long-term strategy integrating stronger domestic water governance, climate resilience, expanded water storage and proactive regional water diplomacy.
He said water security had become fundamental to Pakistan’s economic stability, food security and national security, adding that strengthening institutions, investing in modern infrastructure and adopting sciencebased planning were essential to building resilience against future climateand water-related challenges. Staff Reporter