Experts Call for Effective Water Management in Pakistan during Pakistan Water Week 2023
Published on: December 5, 2023.
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Transforming Water and Agriculture Practices in Pakistan
In a recent international conference called ‘Pakistan Water Week 2023,’ Syed Ali Murtaza, the Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, emphasized the need for changing water management and agriculture practices in Pakistan. This event brought together experts to discuss the crucial issue of water governance in the country.
The conference, titled ‘Transformative Pathways for Water and Food System in a Climate Resilient Pakistan,’ was organized by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), and CGIARs Water, Land and Ecosystems Programme.
Murtaza highlighted that water scarcity in Pakistan is largely due to excessive usage in the agriculture sector. He mentioned that the Punjab Water Act provides a governance framework for water allocation in the province and focuses on licensing, wastewater management, and the use of surface and groundwater. He expressed gratitude to FCDO for supporting the implementation of the Punjab Water Act and encouraged Sindh and Balochistan provinces to develop their water acts as well.
To achieve efficient water usage, Murtaza emphasized the need for a holistic approach rather than a piecemeal one. He also acknowledged the challenges posed by the Indus Water Treaty, which has led to the drying up of eastern rivers. Nevertheless, the government remains committed to promoting the efficient use of water.
Dr. Mark Smith, the Director General of IWMI, addressed the impact of climate change on water regimes in Pakistan. He highlighted global efforts to reduce rising temperatures and mentioned the ongoing focus on climate change challenges at the Conference of Parties (COP) in Dubai. Dr. Smith praised the joint efforts of IWMI, CGIAR, and the provincial governments of Balochistan and Sindh in implementing policies for water and food security.
Furthermore, Claudia Ringler, Co-Lead of NEXUS Gains and Director of Natural Resources and Resilience, drew attention to the increasing number of hungry people globally, including 43 million in Pakistan. Extreme weather events attributed to climate change have resulted in significant welfare losses, with Pakistan alone suffering an estimated USD 2.1 billion loss. Ringler stressed the importance of climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, both for developed countries and countries like Pakistan.
The NEXUS Gains Approach, which integrates water, energy, food, ecosystem, and health sectors, was highlighted as a joint solution to address these sectors. Dr. Ringler stated that implementing this approach in Pakistan has the potential to reduce rice acreage by 15 percent, leading to two million acre-feet of water savings.
Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director of Water, Food, and Ecosystems at IWMI, shed light on Pakistan’s position as the 6th most populous country, 77th in the food security index, and 8th most climate-vulnerable country. These factors directly impact water and food security. While it has been reported that 90% of water is utilized in agriculture, the lack of scientific studies raises doubts about the reliability of this information.
The Pakistan Water Week 2023 aims to build on its successful inauguration as the country’s flagship international conference to address critical climate challenges. Dr. Hafeez believes that this event will provide a platform for sharing insights and collaborating on building resilience in Pakistan.
Source: Daily Times
