Context The natural Earth’s environment has experienced changes owing to human activities predating the Industrial Revolution. Water is essential to Pakistan and significantly affects regional civilisation. Economic development must consider environmental impacts. Sustainable development upholds essential environmental criteria. Freshwater is indubitably the paramount resource imperative for the survival and progression of humanity. This entity transcends societal, economic and environmental domains, establishing it as a universal good. Aims This research aims to examine water-related issues in Pakistan, assess the effectiveness of current environmental management practices, and propose strategies for improving water governance. By conducting a comparative analysis with countries such as China, India and the United Kingdom, the study seeks to align Pakistan’s policies with global environmental goals, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). A comparative analysis of environmental impact assessment and ecological protection with countries such as China, India and the UK can facilitate the attainment of global human–water challenges and the UN SDGs. Methods The research employed qualitative research to examine water-related issues and contemporary environmental practices, accompanied by relevant observations and suggestions aimed at enhancing, executing and devising bilateral or multilateral environmental standards within the region. Key results The results of the research promote adaptive innovations in water management, especially in the face of the resource limitations and environmental issues that Pakistan experiences. There are various strategies that can be used to improve water management in the country, considering its water scarcity, increasing population and susceptibility to climate change. Conclusions The study has emphasised the necessity of fostering legal cooperation in Pakistan’s environmental legislation, alongside water integration and economic policies, as a vital component of national policy for achieving enduring and sustainable projects. This investigation has illuminated the imperative of executing an all-encompassing water management strategy that incorporates the ecological, financial and societal dimensions as the essential constituents of viability in industrial water utilisation. The scenarios indicated that governments may mitigate and foster sustainability through sustainable development, adaptive innovation and global cooperation. Implications The study has emphasised the urgency of implementing a comprehensive, multi-dimensional water management strategy in Pakistan. This strategy must incorporate ecological sustainability, economic viability and social responsibility to ensure effective industrial and agricultural water use. The research highlighted the importance of aligning national water policies with global standards, fostering international cooperation and adopting adaptive innovations to achieve sustainable water management in line with the SDGs.
Soomro et al. (Wed,) studied this question.