Pakistan is facing a growing water and food security challenge as groundwater reserves come under increasing pressure from excessive extraction, limited natural replenishment and concerns over drinking water quality. According to the latest report by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), the country is withdrawing groundwater faster than nature can restore it, raising serious concerns about the sustainability of its water resources.
The situation is particularly alarming because millions of people, farmers and industries depend on groundwater for their daily needs. With around 80 percent of Pakistan’s groundwater reported to be unsafe for drinking, the crisis highlights the urgent need for better water management, pollution control and investment in safe drinking water infrastructure.
Pakistan currently extracts approximately 65 cubic kilometres of groundwater annually, while natural replenishment stands at around 55 cubic kilometres. This difference means the country is using groundwater at a rate that exceeds its capacity to recover, gradually putting pressure on underground water reserves.
The report also identifies Pakistan as the world’s fourth-largest groundwater user, with the country’s aquifer system ranked among the most overstressed globally. Without effective measures to control extraction, this imbalance could have serious consequences for public health, agricultural production and economic stability.
One of the major factors contributing to the problem is the widespread use of tubewells. Pakistan has more than 1.5 million tubewells operating across the country, many of them within a system that lacks effective regulation and monitoring. Their extensive use has increased access to water for agriculture and households, but uncontrolled pumping is placing additional pressure on underground reserves.
Groundwater plays a central role in Pakistan’s economy. Around 60 percent of irrigation water, more than 70 percent of drinking water and almost all industrial operations depend on this resource. Any significant decline in groundwater availability or quality could therefore affect several sectors simultaneously.
For farmers, falling groundwater levels could increase the cost of pumping water and make irrigation more difficult, particularly in areas where surface water supplies are unreliable. Higher irrigation costs may affect crop yields, food prices and the livelihoods of rural communities that depend on agriculture.
The issue of water quality is equally concerning. Groundwater contamination can result from untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural chemicals and naturally occurring pollutants. Depending on the location, unsafe water may contain harmful bacteria, excessive salts, arsenic or other substances that pose risks to human health.
Consuming contaminated drinking water can contribute to waterborne diseases and other long-term health problems. Communities with limited access to filtration systems and reliable public water supplies are particularly vulnerable, making water quality monitoring and treatment essential public health priorities.
Pakistan’s groundwater challenge also has implications for climate resilience. Changing rainfall patterns, prolonged dry periods, population growth and increasing demand for water can make it more difficult to maintain a reliable supply. Although groundwater can provide an important reserve during droughts, excessive extraction reduces its ability to support communities when other water sources become scarce.
Experts have repeatedly highlighted the importance of improving groundwater governance and promoting sustainable water use. Stronger regulation of tubewells, accurate measurement of groundwater extraction and improved monitoring of aquifer levels could help authorities understand where water reserves are declining most rapidly.
Expanding rainwater harvesting and protecting areas where water naturally enters underground aquifers could also support replenishment. In agriculture, efficient irrigation methods, better crop planning and reduced water wastage could help lower demand without unnecessarily compromising food production.
Ensuring safe drinking water requires a parallel effort to identify contaminated sources, improve wastewater treatment and expand access to affordable filtration and testing facilities. Government agencies, local authorities, farmers, industries and households all have a role to play in reducing pollution and protecting available supplies.
Pakistan’s groundwater crisis is no longer only an environmental concern. It is increasingly connected to public health, food security, agricultural productivity and the country’s long-term economic development. Addressing the gap between groundwater extraction and natural replenishment will require consistent policies, stronger enforcement and greater public awareness.
Without immediate and coordinated action, the country risks placing even greater pressure on a resource that millions of people already depend on for survival.