Pakistan Water Crisis: On March 23, 2026, Pakistan marked World Water Day by emphasizing the urgent need for action on water scarcity, climate stress, and equitable access. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored the growing crisis, highlighting its social, economic, and geopolitical dimensions.
The theme for this year, ‘Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,’ framed the day’s message. President Zardari called on India to restore full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), accusing India of weaponizing shared water resources.
Zardari stated, ‘This deliberate weaponisation of shared water resources is a matter of deep concern. India’s decision to place the treaty in abeyance disrupts hydrological data-sharing and undermines an international agreement that has governed equitable sharing of the Indus River system for over six decades.’
Prime Minister Sharif warned that Pakistan is facing an acute water crisis, with per capita water availability declining from 5,260 cubic metres at independence to below 1,000 cubic metres. He attributed this to climate change, erratic rainfall patterns, and shifts in glacial systems.
Sharif stressed that water scarcity affects all aspects of life, with women bearing a disproportionate burden. He announced major reforms under the National Water Policy to safeguard future resources and ensure women’s representation in water management.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 24, 2026
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