Pakistan is facing a serious water crisis due to population growth, poor management, climate change, and lack of storage infrastructure. It ranks among the top water-stressed countries, with per capita water availability declining from 5,260 m³ in 1951 to less than 1,000 m³ today.

The Indus River System provides over 90% of Pakistan’s freshwater, yet due to limited dam capacity, a large portion of rain and river water goes unused. Kalabagh Dam, proposed on the Indus near Mianwali, could generate 3,600 MW and store 6.1 MAF of water. However, it remains controversial due to provincial opposition, mainly from Sindh and KP, fearing water shortages and flooding.

Major dams in Pakistan include:

• Tarbela Dam (largest earth-filled dam)

• Mangla Dam (on Jhelum River)

• Diamer-Bhasha Dam (under construction)

• Dasu Dam (ongoing)

Pakistan loses over 30 MAF of water to the sea annually due to lack of storage. Effective solutions require new water reservoirs, consensus-building on Kalabagh Dam, improved irrigation systems, public awareness, and climate resilience strategies.

Without immediate action, the water crisis could threaten agriculture, economy, and food security in Pakistan.