On 31^st October 2023, Mr. Ashfaq Mahmood, former Federal Secretary, Water and Power Division, addressed on “Water issues of Pakistan”, to the participants of the 34^th SMC.

During his insightful intellectual discourse, Mr. Ashfaq Mahmood stressed the significance of water as a valuable resource and the country’s perspective on this precious asset. He pointed out that in the near future, with the impact of global climate change, Pakistan could become seriously water-scarce if corrective actions are not taken across various levels, including storage, conservation, aquifer replenishment, and changes in water usage patterns. He provided insights into the current status of water resources, their utilization, and reservoir capacities. Additionally, be addressed issues related to the Indus Water Basin Treaty, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), and disputes over water allocation between provinces. In the latter part of his presentation, Mr. Mahmood elaborated on how advanced countries manage international water resources and shared their experiences in resolving such disputes. During the question-and-answer session, he responded to a range of inquiries, from national behaviors concerning water to international approaches to addressing the issue.