Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, chaired a meeting of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Water Scarcity and its Impact on Rabi and Kharif Crops today in Islamabad.
Also present in the meeting were senior officials from the Ministries of Water Resources, National Food Security, and Planning, WAPDA, representatives from provincial irrigation departments and water management authorities.
Discussions focused on the current and projected water availability scenarios for the upcoming Rabi and Kharif crop seasons, along with the latest data on water flows from India and their variance over the past several years. The alarming rate of groundwater depletion and its implications for national food security and agricultural productivity were also reviewed.
The policy options for ensuring a more equitable and efficient distribution of water across tributaries and territories was deliberated upon. Emphasis was placed on enhancing coordination between provinces to optimize the use of available water resources through improved management, monitoring, and infrastructure.
Dr. Musadik Malik emphasized that the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan must not be left behind in water distribution. He stressed that every region’s rightful share of water should be protected and allocated in accordance with the agreed national framework and plans.
Dr. Musadik reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing the growing challenge of water scarcity through data-driven planning, inter-provincial collaboration, and sustainable management practices to safeguard the country’s agricultural economy and ensure long-term food security.
