ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has highlighted a critical water crisis in Pakistan, emphasizing that economic development is unattainable without ensuring water security. Although Pakistan has strong water-related policies, their implementation remains slow and ineffective.
The ADB’s Asian Water Development Outlook Report 2025 reveals alarming statistics: over 80 percent of the population lacks access to clean drinking water, and per capita water availability has drastically declined from 3,500 to 1,100 cubic meters. Indiscriminate use of groundwater, toxic arsenic contamination, climate change, rapid population growth, and poor management are exacerbating the crisis. Agriculture is identified as the largest contributor to water wastage.
The report underlines the need for reforms and investments in the water sector, as Pakistan faces significant challenges in urban flooding, wastewater discharge, and limited access to water in rural areas. Polluted water systems and inadequate monitoring further worsen the situation. Additionally, the industrial sector heavily relies on untreated groundwater, while urban water infrastructure is outdated, contributing to wastewater discharge without proper treatment.
Water storage capacity is insufficient, with an aging system intensifying the problem. The aquatic ecosystem is deteriorating under the strain on rivers and wetlands. Despite improvements in Pakistan’s overall water security score by 6.4 points between 2013 and 2025, technical capacity and coordination in the water sector remain weak. Investment in large-scale projects is minimal, while progress on gender equality and social inclusion within the sector is slow.
ADB estimates Pakistan suffers an annual economic loss of $2 billion due to inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure. It recommends establishing an independent authority to monitor water quality effectively. For the Asia-Pacific region as a whole, flood vulnerabilities persist, affecting 41 percent of global flood incidents. Current investments in water and sanitation projects meet just 40 percent of the required funding needs, with a significant gap of $50 billion annually threatening water security. By 2040, $4 trillion will be needed to secure adequate water systems across the region.
