By Hina Durrani
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP):Effective water governance in Pakistan requires a comprehensive framework backed by reliable data, a strong legal system, capable institutions, professional expertise and, above all, strong political support and commitment, a water governance expert said.
In an interview with APP, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Country Representative of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Pakistan, highlighted the need to strengthen institutional capacity, improve water resource assessment and introduce systematic water accounting and auditing to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of the country’s water resources.
He said that even the best policies, laws and institutions could not deliver results without the motivation and political support needed to implement them effectively.
Referring to the National Water Policy 2018, he said the policy provided a comprehensive framework comprising 33 objectives and outlined key principles, including the installation of water meters to discourage wastage and the application of the “polluter pays” principle.
However, Dr. Ashraf noted that policy provisions alone were insufficient without a practical implementation framework, clear legal responsibilities, designated institutions and adequate enforcement capacity.
Explaining the division of responsibilities following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, he said the federal government primarily dealt with major hydropower projects, transboundary water matters and the distribution of water among provinces under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
The provinces, he added, were responsible for managing water resources within their respective jurisdictions, including groundwater, floodwater, hill torrents and wastewater.
Dr. Ashraf emphasised that wastewater should not be viewed merely as a source of pollution but also as a resource that could be treated and reused for industrial, agricultural and other purposes.
He said the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) was responsible for distributing water among the four provinces in accordance with the 1991 accord, using the prescribed formula and taking into account variations in water availability. It did not formulate water policy but implemented the agreed water-sharing arrangements.
Highlighting the need for evidence-based decision-making, he said Pakistan required a comprehensive and universally applied system for assessing and accounting for its water resources.
The expert stressed that the country needed reliable assessments of water originating from glaciers, rainfall, groundwater, wastewater and hill torrents before planning new water infrastructure or making decisions about resource allocation.
He underlined that water accounting should systematically record water inflows, consumption and outflows, enabling authorities to identify losses, inefficiencies and discrepancies through water audits.
He said IWMI had undertaken consultations with federal and provincial stakeholders to develop water resource assessment and water accounting guidelines. The process also involved developing and testing water budgeting tools to help identify water losses, excessive consumption and shortages.
Dr. Ashraf explained that water budgeting could help authorities and farmers determine whether crops were receiving adequate water, identify inefficient irrigation practices and reduce the risks of crop failure and other long-term consequences of improper water management.
He also referred to work on drought contingency planning and the transfer of a related tool to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, stressing the importance of preparedness and timely action to address climate-related water challenges.
Concluding his remarks, the expert said coordinated efforts by federal and provincial governments, relevant institutions and stakeholders were essential to improving water governance, strengthening accountability and ensuring the sustainable management of the country’s water resources.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
