On 29th April 2024, Mr. Ashfaq Mahmood, former Federal Secretary, Water and Power Division, addressed on “Water issues of Pakistan”, to the participants of the 35^th SMC.

During his enlightening presentation, Mr. Ashfaq Mahmood emphasised the critical role of water as an essential resource, highlighting its significance for Pakistan amidst global climate change threats. He cautioned that without immediate and comprehensive measures including enhanced storage capabilities, conservation efforts, aquifer recharge, and alterations in water usage behaviors, Pakistan is on the brink of severe water scarcity.

Mr. Mahmood explained that the existing infrastructure, including major dams like Tarbela and Mangla, is aging and losing capacity due to siltation, which compromises their effectiveness in water storage and flood management. He also discussed challenges associated with the Indus Water Basin Treaty and the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), focusing on inter-provincial disputes over water distribution. Further, he drew on international examples to illustrate how re developed nations have handled conflicts over water resources and adopted best practices management.