Pakistan Charts First National Drought Plan
News Desk
Islamabad: As Pakistan grapples with rising water stress and increasingly erratic weather patterns, the government has unveiled its first-ever National Drought Action Plan (NDAP), marking a strategic shift from reactive disaster relief to long-term climate resilience and preparedness.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns that climate change is intensifying drought conditions across Pakistan, putting pressure on agriculture, water resources, food security, and rural livelihoods.
Officials say the plan is designed to move beyond ad hoc responses and establish a coordinated, data-driven framework to manage drought risks before they escalate into crises.
Federal Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha Humera Moriani emphasized that drought is no longer an occasional environmental challenge but a persistent national issue driven by rising temperatures, water scarcity, and climate variability. Speaking at a national consultative workshop, she stressed the need for a proactive, risk-based approach rather than relying on post-impact relief measures.
“Data alone is not enough,” she noted, underscoring the importance of translating early warning information into timely, on-ground action through effective institutional coordination.
The NDAP has been developed with technical support from international and national partners, including the International Water Management Institute and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
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A key component of the emerging system is the Pakistan Drought Management System (PakDMS), which enables real-time monitoring and early warning capabilities to anticipate drought conditions.
Officials describe the action plan as a comprehensive framework built around planning and resource mobilisation, governance and policy reforms, early warning systems, localized mitigation strategies, and capacity building.
The approach aims to integrate federal and provincial efforts while improving coordination among technical agencies and development partners.
The consultative workshop brought together stakeholders from government bodies, including disaster management and meteorological authorities, along with international organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Participants focused on defining institutional roles, identifying priority sectors, and outlining a roadmap for implementation across short-, medium-, and long-term timelines.
Climate ministry spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said drought risks in Pakistan are recurring and intensifying due to dependence on monsoon rainfall and mounting pressure on both surface and groundwater resources.
He noted that past responses have largely been fragmented and reactive, often addressing drought impacts only after they occur.
The NDAP seeks to address these gaps by establishing a unified national framework that defines responsibilities, strengthens monitoring and forecasting systems, and improves coordination before, during, and after drought events.
Proposals discussed during the workshop also include the formation of a National Drought Management Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee to guide implementation.
For a country where agriculture remains a backbone of the economy and millions depend on climate-sensitive livelihoods, officials believe the success of the plan will hinge on effective execution.
If implemented as envisioned, the NDAP could mark a turning point—shifting Pakistan’s drought management from crisis-driven response to anticipatory governance grounded in science, coordination, and preparedness.
