Future Water Needs & Planning (2050 Vision)

Forecasting Demand, Managing Risk, and
Shaping a Resilient Water Future

Pakistan is nearing a critical inflection point in its water trajectory. Rapid population growth, urban expansion, industrialization, and climate variability are placing unprecedented pressure on an already overextended water system. Without forward-looking planning and structural reform, the country faces the risk of entering an era of chronic water scarcity by 2050.

This subsection presents a strategic framework to assess future water demand across key sectors and outlines actionable pathways to build a resilient, sustainable water economy grounded in climate adaptation, technological innovation, and long-term policy alignment.

Key Areas of Focus

■ Current vs. Projected Water Demand
Comparative analysis of present water availability versus 2050 projections, factoring in population growth, per capita use, and sector-specific trends.
■ Sectoral Demand Forecasting
Anticipated requirements across agriculture, urban centers, and industrial corridors with implications for energy, sanitation, and food systems.
■ Climate Adaptation Planning
Integration of hydrological risk into national climate strategy, including drought forecasting, flood modeling, GLOF zones, and seasonal variability management.
■ Low–Water Agriculture & Technology Integration
Promotion of precision irrigation, drought-resistant crops, water-efficient seed varieties, and targeted policy incentives for water-smart farming.
■ Smart Urban Water Systems
Strategic roadmap for deploying metered supply, leak detection, wastewater reuse, and decentralized infrastructure in growing urban areas.
■ Timeline–Based Strategic Roadmap
Phased planning milestones from 2025 to 2050, focused on infrastructure investment, institutional reforms, public–private partnerships, and performance monitoring.

This subsection underscores the need for a transition from reactive water management to anticipatory, risk- resilience planning enabled by forecasting, innovation, and whole-of-government coordination.