Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent remarks on consulting provinces to increase Pakistan’s water storage capacity—particularly in light of India’s announcement of suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)—signal a proactive but possibly misplaced approach to a complex national challenge. While the consultation process is a step in the right direction to defuse interprovincial tensions on controversial water projects, the broader assumption that more dams will solve Pakistan’s water woes needs a fundamental re-evaluation.
Pakistan’s water insecurity is undeniably serious, worsened by India’s unilateral posture and the fast-unfolding impacts of climate change. However, linking new dam construction to the Indian threat is strategically weak. Any interference with the IWT must be countered at legal and diplomatic forums, where Pakistan can present its case using the mechanisms built into the treaty. Resorting to domestic water infrastructure as a geopolitical shield dilutes the issue’s core and may not address the actual vulnerabilities of Pakistan’s water regime.
Critically, the construction of large dams like Diamer-Bhasha, which Mr. Sharif has asked to expedite, may not serve the intended purpose. A growing body of environmental experts warns that Pakistan is witnessing more dry spells and fewer snow-fed inflows due to climate change. The result: even existing reservoirs are not being filled to optimal levels. Building more dams in such a scenario could further disrupt ecological flows, intensify regional tensions, and worsen water availability for downstream populations.
Moreover, these multi-billion-dollar hydropower projects divert essential fiscal resources from other vital sectors such as health, education, and localized climate adaptation. Pakistan is already grappling with an economic crisis, and committing to high-cost, long-gestation infrastructure seems questionable when more sustainable and affordable options are available. Solar and wind power, for instance, remain underutilized despite their viability and lower cost, especially for a country blessed with year-round sunlight and wind corridors.
The Planning Commission’s warning regarding falling agricultural yields—due to flawed policies, increased input costs, and climatic pressures—further underscores the urgency to rethink our water and energy policies. Rather than focusing on concrete-heavy mega-projects, Pakistan should prioritize keeping its rivers alive and flowing, which in turn can recharge aquifers, support agriculture, and ensure long-term ecological balance.
In essence, water security must be reframed—not as a dam-building race, but as a comprehensive strategy emphasizing sustainability, decentralization, and resilience. Only then can Pakistan truly secure its future in the face of growing climatic, political, and economic uncertainties.