Islamabad, Senator Sherry Rehman, Vice President of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), addressed the nation’s critical water scarcity issues in light of World Water Day, advocating for urgent reflection and action on water conservation and policy implementation to avoid a looming crisis.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Senator Rehman emphasized the urgent need for Pakistan to adopt sustainable water management practices. She pointed out that while water is often regarded as an unlimited resource, it is, in fact, a finite one, with Pakistan facing a severe scarcity that could lead to drought conditions by 2025 as per United Nations predictions.

Rehman underscored the unsustainable water consumption patterns in Pakistan, cautioning that demand could soar by 60% by 2047, primarily in the domestic and industrial sectors. She cited data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that placed Pakistan perilously close to the threshold of water scarcity in terms of per capita availability.

In response to the water shortages already affecting urban areas and the inefficiencies of informal water distribution, Rehman advocated for robust policy frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, specifically mentioning the water policy initiatives of Sindh province. She called for comprehensive strategies that address the intricacies of water governance, particularly in urban settings where municipal and land-use agencies often have conflicting interests.

The Senator highlighted the need for substantial investments in water infrastructure and related sectors, suggesting that international assistance could support urban flood management efforts. She proposed exploring wastewater treatment and desalination projects through public-private partnerships, tailored to regional requirements as part of the National Adaptation Plan, which includes technologically driven solutions for diverse geographic areas experiencing water stress.