The untapped value of water
Dr Muhammad Faisal Ali
October 2, 2024
Pakistan, a country facing increasing water scarcity, is struggling with a critical challenge in efficiently managing its water resources. Without significant reforms, Pakistan faces the danger of worsening its position as a water-stressed nation.
The country’s per capita annual water availability has dropped by over 30 percent, decreasing from 1,500 cubic meters in 2009 to 1,017 cubic meters in 2021. Moreover, the World Resources Institute projects that by 2050 Pakistan will be among the most water-stressed countries in the world.
This inefficient use of water is primarily due to outdated water pricing mechanisms, which encourage wasteful practices, especially in...