Pakistan: Pakistan is embarking on a comprehensive strategy to tackle its pressing water and climate-related challenges with the launch of the Country Strategic Roadmap (CSR) for 2024-2030. The roadmap aims to address water scarcity, climate change, and rapid urbanization, which are increasingly threatening the country’s food security, economic growth, and social stability.

According to Relief Web, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has been pivotal in supporting Pakistan’s efforts to manage its water resources since 1986. The CSR builds on this longstanding collaboration, emphasizing research-for-development to adapt to the evolving geopolitical and socioeconomic pressures affecting Pakistan’s water future. The roadmap highlights the critical role of the Indus River Basin, shared with neighboring countries, in sustaining Pakistan’s agriculture, energy production, and domestic water supply amid changing climate conditions.

Water management in Pakistan faces several challenges, including unsustainable groundwater abstraction and limited infrastructure to buffer climate variability. Governance issues further complicate effective water management, with fragmented mandates across various federal and provincial agencies. Despite national policies on water and climate change, weak coordination and inconsistent data hinder implementation.

Agriculture, a significant component of Pakistan’s economy, suffers from low productivity and increasing land degradation, exacerbated by climate change. Rapid urbanization also strains water supply and sanitation systems, contributing to widespread waterborne diseases. The roadmap acknowledges the interconnectedness of water and energy sectors, emphasizing the need for integrated planning to mitigate climate-induced risks.

The CSR identifies emerging opportunities, such as increased policy momentum around climate action and water security. Advances in technology and Pakistan’s participation in global initiatives highlight the potential for collaborative solutions in building climate-resilient agriculture and improving freshwater availability. The roadmap also recognizes the importance of nature-based solutions and targeted investments in youth skills to drive long-term transformation in the water sector.