Pakistan Establishes High-Level Task Force to Address Escalating Water Scarcity

The Pakistani government has formed a high-level task force to address the growing issue of water scarcity, which is severely impacting the country's food security and economy. Co-chaired by Federal Ministers Dr Musadik Malik (Climate Change) and Muhammad Moeen Wattoo (Water Resources), the task force aims to develop practical measures to counter current and future water shortages. The task force has launched a comprehensive analysis of 40 years of hydrological data to identify trends and inform policy. The effort is crucial, as agriculture consumes 90 percent of Pakistan's freshwater resources.

Key Takeaways:

• The task force will focus on urgent strategies such as rainwater harvesting, reducing water wastage, and implementing pilot programs for drought-affected farmers.
• Dr. Malik emphasized the need to monitor both domestic and cross-border water flows to mitigate regional uncertainties.
• The task force will develop practical, forward-looking measures to counter current and future water shortages.
• Wapda reported variable inflows and outflows in major reservoirs and rivers, with current storage levels at 1.587 million acre-feet at Tarbela and 1.534 million acre-feet at Mangla.
• Overall, water and power development authority reported a total usable water storage of 3.395 million acre-feet across key reservoirs.
• The task force's findings are expected to shape national water conservation and climate adaptation strategies critical to safeguarding Pakistan's food security and economy.
• The task force is co-chaired by Federal Ministers Dr. Musadik Malik and Muhammad Moeen Wattoo.

Statistics:

• Agriculture consumes 90 percent of Pakistan's freshwater resources.
• The task force will analyze 40 years of hydrological data to identify trends.
• Current storage levels are 1.587 million acre-feet at Tarbela dam and 1.534 million acre-feet at Mangla dam.
• Total usable water storage is 3.395 million acre-feet across key reservoirs, including Tarbela, Mangla, Chashma, and the Indus and Jhelum rivers.
• Wapda reported variable inflows and outflows in major reservoirs and rivers.

Sources:

• Federal Ministers Dr Musadik Malik (Climate Change) and Muhammad Moeen Wattoo (Water Resources)
• Press reports on the task force meeting in Islamabad (date not specified)
• Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda)
• Pakistan government initiatives on water conservation and climate adaptation (no specific date mentioned)