Water Scarcity in Pakistan: Resource Constraint or Mismanagement

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The current study has addressed major issues associated with water resources, gap analysis for the allocation, distribution mechanism, and recommendation for efficient utilization. This study specifically addresses the role of political factors in giving rise to water crisis in Pakistan, the factors hampering effective implementation of Indus Water Treaty, and the role of local politics in water crisis in Pakistan. Moreover, it is also focused on the discrimination of provinces in terms of water apportionment. The study also analyzes, whether effective implementation of the ‘National Water Policy 2018’ would lead to efficient water resource management. The conclusion and recommendations comprise a mixture of qualitative and quantitative analysis of events, situations, and numerical data from reliable sources. Resultantly, it was inferred that water availability is emerging as the definite challenge for individuals and communities across the globe. An urgent concerted effort is required to cope up with the exponential demand and its efficient utilization. However, the water production and supply management has not been developed in line with the critical increase in population growth, intensive water use for agrarian economy, and fast-growing industrialization. Developmental activities can only be sustained if natural resources are also preserved for the next generations and their depletion effect is addressed for longer terms. It is crucial to reformulate the current national water policy by consensus and implement it with its inbuilt regular updating process. Water securities must be prioritized by legislators, politicians, and policymakers. Politics over water security worsens the problems and more water injection in national grid is becoming highly linked with the national level politics.