This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled “A growing challenge to water security” carried by the newspaper on Wednesday, and yesterday.
The path forward requires a multipronged strategy. Investment in early warning systems is essential: accurate forecasting can help farmers and authorities prepare for shortages, adjust cropping patterns, and manage reservoirs more effectively. At the same time, water-use efficiency must be dramatically improved.
Pakistan remains one of the most water-intensive agricultural economies in the world, with significant losses due to outdated irrigation methods. Modernising these systems is imperative.
Regional cooperation must also move from rhetoric to reality. The HKH region spans multiple countries, and water systems do not adhere to political boundaries.
Data sharing, joint research, and coordinated policy responses are crucial to managing shared risks. In this context, institutions like ICIMOD can play a pivotal role, but their recommendations must be backed by political will at the national level.
Ultimately, shrinking snow cover is a test of governance. Pakistan’s ability to adapt will determine whether this challenge evolves into a full-blown crisis or is managed with foresight and resilience. The science is clear, the risks are known, and the solutions are within reach; what remains uncertain is whether the urgency of the moment will translate into meaningful action.
Abdul Qadir, Karachi
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026