Ayaz Sadiq calls for national consensus to tackle water crisis

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has called for a nationwide agreement on water management, warning that Pakistan needs lasting solutions instead of temporary measures.

Speaking at a parliamentary seminar on water governance, he said water security has become closely linked with Pakistan’s food, economic and national security.

The seminar, titled “Evidence from Local, Low-Cost Solutions for Water Security and Flood Resilience,” was organised by the Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals.

Sadiq said political differences should be put aside when dealing with the country’s growing water challenges.

Water harvesting and recycling urged

The National Assembly speaker called on both federal and provincial governments to make water harvesting a major priority.

He also stressed the need for sustainable water recycling systems at federal and provincial levels.

According to Sadiq, better recycling and conservation can help protect water supplies, reduce wastage and support the recovery of groundwater resources.

He said Pakistan needs a comprehensive approach instead of dealing with water shortages only when a crisis develops.

“Water security is human security, economic security and national security,” he said.

Sadiq also called for greater attention to the construction of reservoirs and small dams.

He said federal and provincial authorities must work closely together to manage the country’s water resources more effectively.

Stronger policies needed for water security

The speaker stressed that proper implementation of the National Water Policy is essential for long-term water management.

He also called for better coordination between institutions responsible for water-related projects.

Sadiq said public funds allocated for water projects must be used transparently and effectively.

He noted that Parliament’s responsibility is not limited to passing laws. It must also monitor how public policies are implemented and whether government programmes are delivering results.

He further highlighted responsible investment, modern technology and efforts to reduce water wastage as key parts of a national water-security strategy.

According to him, restoring groundwater resources must also become an important part of Pakistan’s long-term planning.

Water issue now linked to national security

Sadiq said water can no longer be treated as a limited sectoral matter.

He described access to clean water as a shared national responsibility and linked water management directly with food production, economic stability and national security.

He also criticised India’s suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, describing the move as a violation of international law.

His comments came amid growing concerns over Pakistan’s water availability, climate-related risks and the need for stronger infrastructure.

The speaker said the country needs cooperation across political and administrative lines to address these challenges effectively.

Ahsan Iqbal calls for new reservoirs

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary also stressed the need to expand Pakistan’s water storage capacity.

He said Pakistan had not built a new major water reservoir in the last 50 years.

Iqbal called for increasing the storage capacity of existing reservoirs while also constructing new ones to deal with increasingly limited water resources.

He said climate change has made stronger water infrastructure even more important for Pakistan.

According to the minister, additional reservoirs could improve the country’s ability to deal with climate-related threats and strengthen water security.

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Development funding raises concerns

Iqbal also highlighted a decline in development financing and its possible impact on infrastructure projects.

He said the Public Sector Development Programme had fallen from 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2018 to 0.6 per cent in 2026.

The minister said PSDP allocations were around Rs1 trillion in both 2018 and 2026. After taking inflation into account, he estimated the real value had fallen to around Rs250-300 billion.

He called for better use of available development funds, stronger financing for local governments and improved disaster-risk financing.

According to Iqbal, these steps could help expand successful local solutions and improve Pakistan’s ability to deal with water and climate-related challenges.

Water security needs shared responsibility

Convenor of the Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs Shaista Pervaiz said water security is not only about a shortage of water.

She said it also involves using available water responsibly and managing the country’s resources in a sustainable way.

Pervaiz stressed that improving Pakistan’s water resources is a shared responsibility.

She called for protecting existing resources while taking steps to strengthen them for future generations.

The seminar brought together members of the National Assembly, government officials and representatives of international organisations.

Representatives from UNDP, World Bank, WaterAid and UNICEF also attended the event.

Their participation highlighted the need for cooperation between government institutions, Parliament and development organisations to find practical solutions to Pakistan’s water challenges.