Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Mueen Wattoo on Wednesday said Pakistan’s major reservoirs are currently holding water well above average levels, with Tarbela Dam at 96% capacity — a significant improvement from the seasonal lows usually seen earlier in the year.
Speaking in the National Assembly’s question hour, he noted that dams like Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma typically hit their lowest levels twice a year, but this trend has reversed due to the recent rains. Presently, Mangla is at 64% capacity and Chashma at 83%, bringing the overall national water storage to about 75%.
Addressing concerns over future shortages, Wattoo said the government is fully aware of global and domestic water scarcity risks, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally monitoring progress on new storage projects. High-level meetings are being held every three days to devise long-term solutions for both irrigated and rain-fed regions.
On equitable distribution, he reaffirmed that the 1991 Water Accord is being strictly followed, with each province receiving its allocated share. A telemetry system is also being installed for real-time monitoring to ensure transparency. Wattoo added that any province claiming to receive less water can present evidence, and strict action will follow if deliberate cuts are proven.
Due to lack of rain and cross border tensions with India over Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan’s Usable Water Reserves Witness Significant Decline
