Water resources in Pakistan: a comprehensive overview and management challenges

ABSTRACT Pakistan has a range of water resources, including many rivers, large glaciers in the Himalayas, and significant underground water reserves, located throughout the country. However, the country faces considerable challenges in effectively managing these water resources. Employing a comprehensive review methodology, this paper examines policy documents and recent scholarly articles to analyze the current obstacles and propose viable solutions for sustainable water management in Pakistan. Significant challenges, including delayed policy implementation, insufficient regulatory enforcement, and inadequate data collection, hinder water resource management. Furthermore, there is a critical gap in integrating climate adaptation measures into water management strategies, which affects the resilience and efficiency of water resource allocation and utilization amid changing environmental conditions. It recommends significant policy changes that include economic measures such as water pricing, advancements in water recycling technologies, and approaches to improve climate resilience. Furthermore, this study proposes a comprehensive framework designed to tackle the complex challenges of water management. It suggests an integrated approach that combines policy, technology, environmental, and economic strategies to promote sustainable and resilient water use.