Pakistan is facing a severe water crisis, with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) warning over 80 percent of its population lacks clean drinking water. The 2025 Asian Water Development Outlook highlights rapidly depleting reserves and rising climate-linked vulnerabilities. ADB emphasizes urgent reforms are needed to prevent long-term scarcity and environmental collapse.
Per capita water availability in Pakistan has dropped from 3,500 to 1,100 cubic meters, pushing the country toward absolute scarcity. Groundwater over-extraction is spreading toxic arsenic, while weak management and rising population worsen the situation. The report also identifies floods and droughts as major threats, amplified by climate change and environmental degradation.
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Agriculture consumes the largest volume of water but remains highly inefficient, with outdated irrigation systems and poor monitoring. Industrial reliance on groundwater adds further pressure, and urban areas face weak sanitation, untreated wastewater, and frequent flooding. Rural communities continue to struggle with polluted water and low access.
ADB warns Pakistan’s water storage system is outdated, and investments focus on large infrastructure projects rather than long-term reforms. Financial shortages are critical, with the sector needing ₨10–12 trillion over the next decade. Governance issues, limited coordination, and slow social inclusion efforts further hamper progress.
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The report urges Pakistan to establish an independent authority to monitor water quality and improve governance. ADB stresses that sustainable water management is essential for economic growth, climate resilience, and public health. Without urgent action, the country faces worsening scarcity, environmental harm, and rising social costs.