ADB Warns Pakistan Drowning in Water Insecurity Due to Mismanagement

• Pakistan faces an alarming water crisis, with over 80% of its population lacking access to clean drinking water, as warned by the ADB.
• The crisis is driven by unchecked population growth, climate change, poor governance, and overuse of groundwater, leading to depletion and contamination.
• Per capita water availability has drastically fallen from 3,500 cubic meters in 1972 to 1,100 in 2020, nearing absolute scarcity.
• Despite improved policy frameworks, weak enforcement, inefficiency, and underfunding hinder progress in water governance.
• The ADB urges Pakistan to strengthen institutions, ensure sustainable financing, and integrate climate resilience to address the crisis.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's water crisis, worsened by mismanagement, threatens its people's survival.