In Islamabad on Wednesday, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) launched three new digital resources designed to help Pakistan improve its management of water, food, and energy resources in the face of growing climate challenges.
These tools – the Water Productivity Atlas, the Water Body Inventory of Pakistan, and the Hydro-Economic Model for the Indus Basin – were introduced at a national workshop focused on the “Water, Energy, Food and Environment (WEFE) Nexus Policy under a Changing Climate in Pakistan.”
The workshop brought together federal and provincial government officials, engineers, researchers, and members of civil society to discuss the WEFE Nexus and its potential to help Pakistan address climate change risks. The event was supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and CGIAR’s Science Programme on Policy Innovations and Climate Action.
Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Khara, Minister of State for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, lauded the initiative, emphasizing its potential to improve government planning through data-driven insights, enhance transparency in decision-making, and balance the competing needs of various sectors.
Syed Ali Murtaza, Federal Secretary for the Ministry of Water Resources, noted that water disputes with India have intensified pressure on Pakistan’s water resources. He stressed the need for improved water management and support for agriculture. According to him, these new tools will enable the government to make informed decisions about water usage, improve farming practices, and optimize water distribution.
IWMI Director General Dr. Mark Smith highlighted the importance of collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and government agencies in building climate resilience, stating that the workshop marks the beginning of a more informed, connected, and responsive policy landscape. Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director at IWMI, urged Pakistan to move away from treating water, food, energy, and the environment as separate issues, emphasizing the necessity of a systems-based approach to resource governance.
Anna Ballance, Senior Climate Lead at the FCDO, affirmed the UK government’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in building climate resilience. She highlighted the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan program and the importance of integrating water, food, and ecosystems, encouraging inter-ministerial collaboration, widespread adoption of the new tools, and capacity building.
IWMI’s Country Representative in Pakistan, Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, emphasized the need to sustain the momentum beyond the workshop, integrating the new tools and partnerships into government planning and investment strategies.
Dr. Clemens Breisinger, Interim Director of the Policy Innovations Science Programme, spoke about the role of models, platforms, and cross-sector dialogues in helping governments design better policies. Speakers from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also discussed how improved data and planning could support local communities. Engineers, officials, and climate experts contributed ideas on how these tools can help Pakistan address climate risks in the years to come.
