Conference calls for joint action to address Pakistan’s water crisis

ISLAMABAD: Representatives from the government, industry, academia and donor organisations called for coordinated efforts to confront Pakistan’s water crisis during the Pakistan Water Stewardship Conference 2026, held in Islamabad from March 31 to April 1.

The conference was organised by WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI). According to the organisers, the event centred on protecting freshwater resources and strengthening community resilience as Pakistan faces increasing exposure to climate-related threats.

Participants highlighted the need for broad-based cooperation to deal with water-related challenges, with speakers stressing that the issue affects multiple sectors and cannot be resolved through isolated interventions.

Climate vulnerability and water management

Addressing the conference, Ministry of Climate Change Director-General Asif Sahibzada said Pakistan continues to rank among the countries most exposed to climate change impacts. He said the country has experienced repeated extreme weather incidents over the past two decades, resulting in major economic losses.

Referring to the 2025 floods, Sahibzada said the disaster affected an estimated 4 to 7 million people and led to extensive economic damage.

Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Over the past two decades, we have faced recurring extreme weather events and significant economic losses.

He said addressing water-related risks requires cooperation across institutions rather than action by any single entity.

Water stewardship is not the responsibility of a single institution. It requires collective action. Platforms like today’s conference are essential for building partnerships, sharing knowledge, and identifying scalable solutions for sustainable water management.

Call for inclusive approaches

WWF-Pakistan Freshwater Programme Director Sohail Ali Naqvi also underscored the need for a shared response, saying water risks have implications for the state, businesses and communities alike.

Water risks affect governments, industries, and communities alike, and cannot be addressed through standalone efforts. We need inclusive, multi-stakeholder approaches to manage water sustainably.

The conference brought together stakeholders from several sectors at a time when concerns over freshwater security and climate resilience remain central to policy discussions in Pakistan. The organisers said the gathering was aimed at encouraging partnerships, knowledge-sharing and practical solutions that can be expanded to support sustainable water management.

The event’s focus remained on safeguarding freshwater resources while helping communities become more resilient in the face of Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate change.