A few issues cut to the heart of Pakistan’s survival as sharply as water security. With the Indus River system as its lifeline, the country faces a convergence of scarcity, climate volatility and geopolitical tension that makes water not just a resource challenge but an existential threat. Food supply, energy generation, social stability and national security all hinge on whether Pakistan can secure its water future. Pakistan is already water-stressed—its per capita water availability has plummeted from 5,000 cubic meters to below 1,000, well under the international scarcity threshold. This decline directly threatens the livelihoods of millions. The Indus Basin provides more than 90 percent of Pakistan’s agricultural water. Agriculture employs nearly half the population and contributes significantly to GDP. Without reliable irrigation, Pakistan risks famine, economic collapse and mass unemployment.

Population growth compounds the crisis. With more than 240 million people and rapid urbanization, demand is soaring. Yet outdated irrigation systems waste nearly 60 percent of available water. The climate crisis magnifies these vulnerabilities. Pakistan faces dual threats: scarcity and devastating floods. Glacial melt in the Himalayas, erratic monsoons and rising temperatures destabilize water flows, creating volatility that undermines planning and resilience. The floods of 2022 displaced millions, destroyed crops and inflicted billions in damages. Conversely, droughts in Sindh and Balochistan have crippled agriculture, leaving communities destitute. This oscillation between extremes—too much water, then too little—makes water security........

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