Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently addressed the “One Water Summit” in Riyadh, emphasizing the urgent need for strong political will and global leadership to tackle the water crisis. He highlighted that water scarcity is a critical issue affecting nearly half of the world’s population at some point each year. The Prime Minister pointed out that billions of people still lack access to clean drinking water, and water pollution is worsening.
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that water resources are rapidly depleting and degrading, leading to the displacement of millions and causing significant destruction. He mentioned that Pakistan is particularly vulnerable, having faced catastrophic floods in 2022 that severely impacted its water resources and irrigation sector. Additionally, droughts pose a significant threat, with around 70% of Pakistan’s land being arid or semi-arid and 30% of the population directly affected by drought-like conditions.
The Prime Minister called for collective international action to address the impacts of climate change and population growth on water resources. He proposed a six-point global agenda, which includes ensuring sustainable water and sanitation for all, sharing knowledge and expertise, transferring innovative water management technologies, and securing adequate funding for climate-resilient infrastructure. He also emphasized the importance of transparency, data sharing, and regional cooperation to prevent conflicts and promote water sharing.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to transboundary water cooperation, citing the Indus Water Treaty as an example. He also mentioned the “Recharge Pakistan” initiative and the development of a National Drought Plan to mitigate the impact of droughts in the most affected areas.
Overall, the Prime Minister’s message was clear: addressing the water crisis requires strong political will, global leadership, and collective action to ensure a sustainable future for all.
