By Muhammad Zulqarnain

Pakistan can strengthen its water security by adopting China's long-term approach to investing in water infrastructure, maintenance and integrated water management, experts say, as the country grapples with worsening water scarcity, climate risks and ageing irrigation systems.

China invested more than 515 billion yuan in water conservancy projects during the first half of 2026, creating over 1.3 million jobs while strengthening flood control, irrigation and water security. Pakistan, meanwhile, is ranked as the world's 16th most water-stressed country and continues to face deteriorating water infrastructure, inadequate storage capacity and inefficient water management.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Mohsin Laghari, Senior Water Policy Expert and former Punjab Minister for Irrigation, said Pakistan's water crisis cannot be addressed simply by constructing new infrastructure but requires sustained investment in preserving and modernising existing water assets.

He said China's experience demonstrates that water security depends on combining infrastructure development with preventive maintenance, integrated water management and climate resilience.

"By adopting a long-term asset stewardship model, Pakistan can improve water-use efficiency, strengthen agricultural productivity, enhance climate resilience, generate employment and build sustainable water security," he said.

Laghari noted that Punjab's century-old canal system supports an agricultural economy worth an estimated Rs4 trillion to Rs5 trillion annually at the farm gate. However, he warned that years of underinvestment in maintenance have increased water losses and infrastructure risks.

He pointed out that Punjab has allocated only Rs8.9 billion for maintaining irrigation infrastructure estimated to be worth around Rs4 trillion. Although the province expects irrigation receipts of Rs43.6 billion during 2026-27, only a small proportion has been earmarked for repairs and maintenance.

According to Laghari, the Indus Basin Irrigation System supports more than 90% of Pakistan's agricultural production, yet nearly half of the water released at canal heads is lost before reaching farms because of inefficiencies in the irrigation network.

He added that Pakistan's increasing dependence on around 1.4 million private tubewells reflects growing pressure on groundwater resources.

Laghari stressed that strengthening canal reliability, modernising irrigation infrastructure and ensuring transparent water management are essential for improving agricultural productivity and enhancing climate resilience.

He said China's experience highlights the importance of financing the long-term maintenance of water infrastructure and reinvesting water revenues into modernising irrigation systems and improving service delivery.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Dr Abubakr Muhammad, Executive Director of the Centre for Water Informatics and Technology (WIT) at LUMS, said Pakistan can draw valuable lessons from China's water management experience, but should adapt them to its own circumstances.

He said China's emphasis on water management reflects a long tradition of treating flood control and irrigation as core responsibilities of the state. Over centuries, successive governments have invested heavily in canals, dams and other water infrastructure to support agriculture, protect communities and promote economic development.

Dr Abubakr noted that China's modern water infrastructure programme builds on this long-term approach by combining large-scale engineering projects with increasing attention to climate adaptation and nature-based solutions.

He cautioned, however, that Pakistan's water sector has evolved within a different historical context, with much of its irrigation infrastructure dating back to the colonial period.

According to him, Pakistan should avoid simply replicating China's engineering model and instead develop a broader vision for water management based on good governance, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

"Pakistan can and should learn from China's experience, as well as from other countries, but adopting techniques alone will not be enough unless there is a collective vision, clear priorities and a long-term commitment to sustainable water management," he said.

The experts believe Pakistan's water challenges cannot be addressed through isolated infrastructure projects alone. Sustained investment, regular maintenance, stronger institutions and integrated water management will be essential to building long-term water security, improving agricultural productivity and strengthening resilience to climate change.

Credit: INP-WealthPk