A new regional water outlook has revealed that nearly 80% of Pakistan’s population lacks access to clean drinking water, raising serious concerns about public health and future sustainability. The report states that water availability has dropped sharply due to rapid population growth, shrinking per-capita resources, and rising demand across all sectors.
Moreover, the findings show that Pakistan will require 35 to 42 billion dollars over the next decade to improve water governance and strengthen related systems. Water availability per person has fallen from 3,500 cubic meters in 1972 to around 1,100 cubic meters in 2030 projections, increasing waterborne diseases and putting vulnerable communities at greater risk.
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Additionally, the report warns that excessive agricultural water use is lowering groundwater levels and polluting natural sources. Reverse flows, weak infrastructure, and growing environmental pressures are severely damaging the country’s river systems, while rural water supply networks remain ineffective and poorly monitored.
Urban areas are also facing rapidly rising challenges as outdated systems struggle to manage increasing demand, which is growing by nearly 10% every year. Untreated wastewater, urban flooding, and minimal private investment are further harming public health and essential services, while tariff recovery and billing systems remain inefficient.
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Furthermore, Pakistan continues to suffer from low storage capacity and an underperforming canal network, making long-term water management even more difficult. Experts stress that without major infrastructure projects, institutional partnerships, and stronger financial planning, water-security risks will intensify and could impact several key sectors.
Despite these concerns, the report notes that Pakistan’s overall water security score has improved during the past thirteen years. However, authorities warn that expanding cities, rising pollution, and climate pressures demand urgent reforms, which could cost up to 12 trillion rupees based on current dollar rates.