Pakistan’s water reserves have reached an encouraging 75% of total capacity thanks to heavy rainfall, with Tarbela Dam almost at its maximum storage level, Federal Minister for Water Resources Muhammad Mueen Wattoo told the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Speaking during the question hour, Wattoo said the seasonal pattern — where water levels at Tarbela, Mangla, and Chashma typically hit yearly lows for two months — has been reversed this year. “As of today, Tarbela is 96% full, Mangla is at 64%, and Chashma at 83%,” he said.
The minister assured legislators that the government is fully alert to the looming global and domestic water scarcity challenge. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added, is personally chairing meetings every three days to discuss new storage projects and long-term water solutions for both irrigated and rain-fed areas.
Addressing concerns over equitable water distribution, Wattoo said allocations are strictly implemented under the 1991 Water Accord. Provinces receive their agreed share and manage it independently. To further ensure transparency, a telemetry system is being installed for real-time monitoring of inter-provincial water flows.
“If any province has evidence of receiving less than its allocated share, it should present the data. Proven deliberate reductions will result in strict action,” Wattoo concluded.
