National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq called for national consensus and sustainable water solutions at a parliamentary seminar in Islamabad on August 20, 2026, citing India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a violation of international law.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, urged a national consensus on water governance during a parliamentary seminar in Islamabad on August 20, 2026, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management to address the country’s worsening crisis. His remarks, delivered at an event organized by the Parliamentary Task Force on Sustainable Development Goals, highlighted the interdependence of water security with food production, economic stability, and national security. Water security is human security, economic security, and national security,
Sadiq declared, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
National Consensus and Sustainable Solutions
Sadiq stressed that political differences must be set aside to develop a unified approach to water challenges. He called for prioritizing water harvesting and sustainable recycling systems, urging both federal and provincial governments to invest in reservoirs and small dams. The federal and provincial governments should accord special attention to the construction of water reservoirs and small dams,
he said. The speaker also emphasized the importance of implementing the National Water Policy and ensuring transparent use of funds allocated for water projects. Effective implementation of the National Water Policy and institutional coordination are essential for sustainable water management,
he added.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary echoed these concerns, noting that Pakistan had not built a new water reservoir in 50 years. He warned that climate change and dwindling water resources required immediate action, including expanding existing reservoirs and constructing new ones. Chaudhary also highlighted the decline in development financing, stating that the Provincial Development Program (PSDP) had fallen from a certain percentage of GDP in 2018 to a certain percentage in 2026. The PSDP allocation remained at around Rs1 trillion in both 2018 and 2026, which, after accounting for inflation, represented only about Rs250-300 billion in real terms,
he said.
Political and Economic Challenges
The seminar also addressed the broader political and economic dimensions of Pakistan’s water crisis. Convenor of the Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs, Ms. Shaista Pervaiz, stressed that water security involved not just scarcity but also the sustainable use of resources. Improving Pakistan’s water resources is a shared responsibility,
she said. Pervaiz called for stronger local government financing and disaster-risk financing to scale up proven solutions, such as community-led water conservation projects.
Chaudhary’s remarks about the PSDP’s decline underscored the financial constraints facing Pakistan’s water infrastructure. The minister noted that the reduced funding, combined with inflation, had eroded the real value of investments. Stronger local government financing and robust disaster-risk financing are needed to scale up proven local solutions across the country,
he said. This aligns with Sadiq’s emphasis on federal-provincial cooperation, which he described as essential for effective management of water resources.
International Context and Domestic Reactions
Sadiq’s speech also highlighted the international dimension of the crisis, particularly India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a clear violation of international law,
he said.
The Path Forward
The seminar concluded with a call for immediate action to address Pakistan’s water challenges. Sadiq reiterated that water conservation must be prioritized, citing its link to food security and economic stability. Responsible investment, modern technology, reduction of water wastage, and restoration of groundwater resources are essential components of a comprehensive water-security strategy,
he said.
As Sadiq noted, Water is no longer merely a sectoral issue but has emerged as a critical matter of national security.
