ISLAMABAD: A high-level meeting aiming to tackle Pakistan’s escalating water scarcity was convened in Islamabad, bringing together Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, and Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo. The meeting focused on strategies to manage water resources effectively and mitigate impacts on agriculture.

The Taskforce on Water Scarcity and its Impact on Rabi and Kharif Crops discussed several key measures to combat the water crisis. These included promoting rainwater harvesting, reducing water wastage, and designing pilot projects to aid drought-affected farmers. The ministers highlighted the importance of collaborating with international partners and development donors to address water challenges.

Dr. Malik raised queries regarding the current status of water flow and levels nationwide, encompassing both internal resources and cross-border inflows. He emphasized that the taskforce’s primary goal is to devise practical solutions to address both existing and future water scarcity issues in Pakistan.

In addition, Dr. Malik stressed the significance of being prepared for any disruptions in cross-border water flow, especially considering the regional geopolitical environment.

During the meeting, the ministers reviewed the agricultural and domestic demand for water and analyzed the causes of recurrent shortages. They also examined the year-on-year variance in water availability.

The taskforce has been tasked with compiling and analyzing data from the past four decades to identify trends and inform future policy decisions.