Karachi: Rising food insecurity and worsening water scarcity present one of the most serious long-term challenges facing Pakistan, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor here Sunday. While economic stability and national security rightly remain central concerns, it is increasingly evident that no sustainable national future can be secured without urgent action on food and water, he said.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, a nation of Pakistan's size and agricultural potential should not face recurring concerns over food inflation, water stress, declining agricultural productivity, and pressure on vulnerable communities. Yet these risks are growing and demand strategic national attention, he said. Altaf Shakoor emphasized that food security is no longer merely an agricultural issue; it is an economic, social, and national stability issue. Persistent food inflation has increased pressure on ordinary citizens, while climate stress, inefficient farming methods, shrinking water availability, and post-harvest losses continue to affect agricultural output.
At the same time, Pakistan is among the countries facing severe water stress. Per capita water availability has declined sharply over the decades, while groundwater depletion, inefficient irrigation practices, and inadequate storage capacity have compounded the problem. A country whose economy has deep agricultural roots cannot afford complacency on water, he warned.
To tackle these issues, Shakoor suggested working on water efficiency in agriculture. He noted that agriculture consumes the overwhelming share of freshwater resources, yet much irrigation still relies on inefficient methods. Large-scale promotion of drip irrigation, sprinkler systems, laser land leveling, and improved canal management can dramatically improve water productivity. "Every drop saved is additional food security," he stated.
He also suggested adopting climate-resilient and saline agriculture, pointing out that changing weather patterns require new approaches. Drought-resistant seeds, saline-tolerant crops, precision agriculture, and better extension services can help protect yields while making use of marginal lands. Barren and underutilized lands should be viewed not as a burden, but as future productive assets, he added.
Shakoor advocated for improved water storage, recycling, and desalination, urging greater investment in these areas. He said Pakistan needs enhanced infrastructure and long-term planning beyond emergency responses. He also emphasized reducing food loss and strengthening supply chains, suggesting that significant food losses between farm and market can be mitigated with better storage, logistics, and market systems.
Improving what is already produced is often as important as increasing production, he said. Shakoor highlighted the role of Pakistan's young population in this transformation through agritech, water technologies, precision farming, and rural enterprise. "Food security in the modern age will depend not only on land and water, but on knowledge, innovation, and productivity," he stated.
Shakoor warned that food insecurity fuels inflation, and water scarcity constrains agriculture, industry, and urban growth, together threatening productivity, social stability, and long-term economic resilience. He stressed that this is not simply an environmental concern but a development challenge with direct implications for national planning.
Pakistan possesses substantial strengths—including fertile regions, large human capital, significant sunshine for energy-intensive water solutions, and agricultural depth. The challenge is not the absence of resources, but better management and optimization of available assets, he said. He called for a coordinated national framework linking agriculture policy, water policy, climate adaptation, and economic planning.
In conclusion, Shakoor asserted that food and water security must now be viewed in the same category as energy security and economic stability—pillars of national resilience. While short-term measures may provide temporary relief, only structural reforms in water management, agricultural modernization, and resource efficiency can protect the country from deeper crises in the future. "Pakistan has the capacity to move from vulnerability to resilience, but that requires urgency, investment, and long-term vision," he said. "The message is clear: food security and water security are national security."