The water crisis in Pakistan has become one of the country’s most pressing humanitarian and development challenges. Although Pakistan is home to one of the largest irrigation systems in the world, millions of people continue to lack reliable access to safe drinking water.
Rapid population growth, climate change, groundwater depletion, ageing infrastructure, and weak water governance have intensified the water crisis in Pakistan, particularly in rural Sindh, Balochistan, and South Punjab.
According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 monitoring framework, only 45% of Pakistan’s population has access to safely managed drinking water services, leaving more than half of the population without reliable access to safe and clean drinking water.
The Current State of Water Access in Pakistan
Pakistan is facing one of the most severe water security challenges in the world. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, industrial expansion, and decades of inadequate investment in water infrastructure have placed immense pressure on the country’s freshwater resources.
Research has consistently identified municipal sewage contamination as the primary source of drinking water pollution in Pakistan. In many cities, ageing water supply pipelines run parallel to sewerage lines, increasing the risk of leakages and cross-contamination.
Industrial effluents, pesticides, fertilisers, and poor wastewater management further degrade both surface and groundwater quality, exposing millions of people to unsafe drinking water.
UNICEF estimates that approximately 53,000 children under the age of five die each year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene (UNICEF Pakistan, 2024). These deaths are largely preventable through improved water infrastructure, sanitation, and hygiene education.
Improving water quality is therefore not only an environmental priority but also a critical public health imperative. Strengthening water treatment systems, modernising distribution infrastructure, expanding sanitation services, and promoting hygiene awareness are essential steps toward ensuring equitable access to safe drinking water and achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Water Scarcity Across Pakistan
Although the water crisis in Pakistan affects every province, its severity differs across regions.
Sindh
Sindh remains one of the provinces most affected by water scarcity and poor water quality. According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), more than 70% of tested drinking water samples in several districts of Sindh have been found unsafe for human consumption, primarily due to microbial contamination, excessive salinity, arsenic, and industrial pollutants.
The devastating 2022 floods further damaged water infrastructure and contaminated thousands of water sources, leaving millions without access to clean drinking water.
Balochistan
Balochistan faces Pakistan’s most severe water scarcity due to its arid climate and limited surface water resources. Nearly 90% of the province depends on groundwater for domestic, agricultural, and livestock needs, while more than 72% of the rural population relies on dug wells and streams for drinking water.
Studies have also identified widespread contamination from arsenic, fluoride, and pathogenic microorganisms, making access to safe drinking water a major public health challenge.
South Punjab
South Punjab faces growing challenges related to both water quantity and water quality. Districts including Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, and Dera Ghazi Khan are increasingly affected by groundwater depletion, recurring droughts, and contamination from naturally occurring arsenic and agricultural runoff.
Several arsenic concentrations exceeding the World Health Organisation’s recommended limits have been detected in groundwater across several districts of Punjab, placing millions of residents at risk of long-term health complications. Rising temperatures, declining river flows, and increasing demand for irrigation continue to intensify water stress across the region.
Health Consequences
Unsafe drinking water contributes to a range of preventable diseases, including:
- Acute diarrhoea
- Cholera
- Typhoid fever
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis E
- Dysentery
Repeated infections contribute to malnutrition, stunted child growth, increased healthcare costs, and reduced educational outcomes. Women, children, and elderly populations remain the most vulnerable.
Climate Change and Floods
Climate change has significantly intensified the water crisis in Pakistan. While floods temporarily increase water availability, they often contaminate drinking water supplies with sewage, chemicals, and disease-causing pathogens.
Following recent floods, millions of Pakistanis lost access to safe drinking water, leading to increased outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Water and the Sustainable Development Goals
Addressing the water crisis in Pakistan directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensures universal access to safe and affordable drinking water by 2030.
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Reducing waterborne diseases improves overall public health.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
Strengthening climate-resilient water infrastructure helps communities adapt to changing environmental conditions.
How UK Association of Medical Aid to Pakistan (UKMAP) is Making a Difference
UKMAP believes that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right. The organisation works with vulnerable communities across Pakistan by installing solar-powered water wells, establishing community filtration plants, promoting hygiene education, supporting rainwater harvesting systems, and providing emergency clean water during floods and droughts.
These initiatives directly contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) while improving health outcomes, reducing poverty, and building resilient communities.
Conclusion
The water crisis in Pakistan is not only an environmental issue but also a humanitarian and public health emergency affecting millions of people. Coordinated efforts from government institutions, development organisations, and charities are essential to ensure universal access to safe drinking water.
Organisations such as UKMAP are helping bridge critical gaps by delivering sustainable water solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities, and contribute to Pakistan’s progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Join us in creating a healthier, more sustainable future. Donate today and help ensure that every family has access to clean, safe drinking water.