How Governance Gaps Turn Rich Aquifers into Drought Threat in Pakistan

Pakistan’s once‑abundant aquifers are now under severe stress, according to a comprehensive review of water‑management practices. The analysis attributes the decline to fragmented authority among federal and provincial agencies, which leads to overlapping mandates and no clear line of accountability.

Key findings include the unchecked extraction of groundwater through millions of private tube wells, the absence of a national groundwater monitoring network, and the failure to enforce seasonal extraction limits. The report also notes that cheap electricity subsidies encourage excessive pumping, draining the water table at an unsustainable pace.

In the capital of Balochistan, Quetta, groundwater levels fell to historic lows this July, prompting the Water and Sanitation Agency to suspend supply in several districts. Residents of Sariab, Sirki Road and Jinnah Town reported having to travel several kilometers daily to fetch water, often paying out of pocket for private tankers.

The authors warn that without coordinated policy action—such as establishing a unified water‑resource authority, revising water‑pricing, and investing in storage infrastructure—the country could face a full‑scale water crisis within the next decade.