By Azeem Ahmed Khan

Pakistan’s water security is closely tied to the stability of its high-mountain cryosphere, with the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) territory hosting 13,032 glaciers and 2,722 glacial lakes, while snow and glacier melt contribute 60–70% of flows in the Indus River System, according to documents available with Wealth Pakistan.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC) documents describe Pakistan’s cryosphere as a “water tower under pressure.” Pakistan sits at the western edge of the HKH, the largest reserve of glacier ice outside the polar regions and the source of the Indus River System.

The figures highlight the importance of the mountain water system for Pakistan. Around 250 million people downstream of the HKH depend on its water, making snow and glacier melt critical to long-term water availability, agriculture, settlements and economic activity linked to the Indus basin.

The stakes are particularly high because Pakistan has limited capacity to store river water. The documents put the country’s entire water storage capacity at around 30 days of river flow, while per-capita water availability has declined from 5,800 cubic metres in 1950 to about 850 cubic metres at present.

The latest glacial lake inventory cited in the documents lists 2,722 lakes, highlighting the scale of the mountain system requiring continued observation and management. The presence of thousands of glaciers and glacial lakes makes monitoring particularly important for both water planning and disaster risk reduction.

The documents identify climate change as a growing source of pressure on this crucial water system, affecting rainfall patterns, glacier stability, water availability and the risk of disasters such as floods and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

One major concern is the changing pattern of monsoon rainfall. According to the documents, the monsoon is becoming less predictable in its timing, intensity and geographical spread, making planning and preparedness for floods and other weather-related emergencies more difficult.

The documents also warn that glaciers in the HKH are expected to continue shrinking as ice loss accelerates. This carries long-term implications for Pakistan because of the Indus River System’s heavy dependence on snow and glacier melt.

Extreme weather and climate-related disasters add another layer of risk. Floods, GLOFs, heatwaves and droughts are identified among events occurring more frequently, affecting both mountain communities and populations further downstream.

Water scarcity is also listed as a priority concern, with declining per-capita availability coinciding with a growing population.

These pressures extend beyond the water sector. The documents identify cascading impacts on energy, food security, health and forests, illustrating how changes in the cryosphere and broader climate system can affect multiple areas of the economy and society.

With snow and glacier melt contributing as much as 70% of Indus River System flows, the figures underline the importance of protecting and closely monitoring Pakistan’s high-mountain water resources.

The documents point to the need for climate-aware and locally grounded adaptation planning, connecting water management and mountain monitoring with disaster preparedness, food security, health and energy-sector resilience.

Credit: INP-WealthPk