Water Scarcity and Crop Loss Push Pakistan Toward $8 Billion Food Import Bill

Pakistan faces a severe water‑scarcity crisis as groundwater levels drop dramatically, especially in urban centres like Quetta where residents have endured months without tap water despite paying utility bills. Rural families are also suffering; the 2025 floods killed approximately 22,800 livestock and forced many to abandon their homes. Agricultural losses from flooded fields and heat‑stressed crops have driven the country’s food‑import expenditure to about $8 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, creating additional pressure on the nation’s foreign‑exchange reserves. Experts stress that modernising farming practices, expanding dam infrastructure, and improving water‑storage solutions are vital to safeguard food security.