Taskforce on Water Scarcity meeting held

Islamabad:A meeting of the Taskforce on Water Scarcity and its Impact on Rabi and Kharif Crops was held in Islamabad, co-chaired by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, and Federal Minister for Water Resources, Muhammad Moeen Wattoo.

The Taskforce discussed key measures to address growing water challenges, including promotion of rainwater harvesting, reduction of water wastage, and the design of pilot interventions to support drought-affected farmers. The importance of engaging development donors and international partners in addressing these issues was also emphasized.

Dr. Musadik Malik inquired about the current water flow and levels across the country, including both internal resources and cross-border inflows. He stated that the core objective of the taskforce is to identify practical and forward-looking solutions to Pakistan’s existing and potential water scarcity. He also underlined the need for preparedness in the event of any disruption to cross-border water flows, particularly in light of regional dynamics.

The ministers jointly reviewed the agricultural and domestic demand for water, analysed causes for recurring shortages, and discussed the year-on-year variance in water availability. The taskforce was directed to compile and analyse data from the past 40 years to identify underlying trends and better inform policy decisions.