Editorial: Pakistan’s Ambitious Water Pipeline Proposal from Tajikistan Visionary or Impractical?

Editorial: The recent announcement by Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari regarding a proposed water pipeline from Tajikistan to Gwadar has ignited a heated debate about the country’s water security and the feasibility of transboundary mega-projects. While the plan aims to address Gwadar’s acute water shortages, experts and analysts are questioning its practicality, cost, and geopolitical implications.

Gwadar’s Water Crisis: A Ticking Time Bomb

Gwadar, a coastal city pivotal to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), faces an escalating water crisis. With a current population of 100,000, the city requires 4 million gallons of water daily a demand projected to skyrocket to 20 million gallons as its population grows fivefold in the next decade. Existing solutions, such as a desalination plant (producing 1.2 million gallons daily) and planned dams (Shadi Kaur and Swad), fall short of meeting future needs. This shortfall has driven the government to explore unconventional solutions, including importing water from Tajikistan, a Central Asian nation over 1,700 kilometers away.

The Tajikistan Pipeline Proposal: High Stakes, Higher Costs

Pakistan President Zardari revealed that a feasibility study, backed by the UAE, has been conducted for a pipeline stretching from Tajikistan to Gwadar. However, the plan faces immediate skepticism. Dr. Hasan Abbas, a water resources expert, calls it “bewildering,” citing exorbitant costs and logistical nightmares. Pumping water over such a distance would require billions of dollars in infrastructure, with operational costs further straining Pakistan’s fragile economy. For context, Pakistan’s ongoing 61-kilometer water pipeline in Thar Pakistan.

Geopolitical Hurdles and Security Risks

The pipeline’s route through Afghanistan adds layers of complexity. Security challenges in Taliban-controlled territories, coupled with potential transit fees and political instability, cast doubt on the project’s viability. Moreover, energy demands for pumping water across mountainous terrain could negate any benefits, making the end cost per gallon prohibitive for Gwadar’s residents.

Experts Advocate Local Solutions Over Mega-Projects

Critics argue that Pakistan’s water crisis stems from mismanagement, not scarcity. The country receives ample monsoon rains but lacks storage capacity. Zafar Iqbal Wattoo, another water expert, emphasizes that expanding dams like Mangla and Tarbela could resolve seasonal shortages. “With 1.4 million acre-feet of storage, we’re barely meeting winter crop demands. Doubling this capacity would eliminate water stress,” he says. Additionally, restoring the Indus River’s flow to Gwadar a cheaper, domestic alternative—has been overlooked.

Tajikistan’s Water Wealth: A Regional Game Changer?

Tajikistan, endowed with 8,000 glaciers and 80% of the Amu River’s flow, is Central Asia’s water powerhouse. Its leaders have long pitched water exports to arid Gulf states, leveraging initiatives like the proposed Sarez Lake pipeline. The CASA-1000 electricity project (exporting 1,300 MW to Pakistan and Afghanistan) sets a precedent for regional cooperation. However, exporting water a far bulkier commodity—poses unprecedented technical and financial challenges.

Silence from Islamabad Raises Eyebrows

Despite the fanfare, Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources claims no knowledge of the pipeline proposal. Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Malik, overseeing the ministry, has yet to clarify the government’s stance. This ambiguity fuels suspicions that the project may be more symbolic than substantive—a diplomatic gesture to engage Central Asian and Gulf partners rather than a concrete plan.

The Bigger Picture: Water as a Geopolitical Tool

The proposal underscores a global trend: water scarcity driving unconventional alliances. For Gulf states, investing in Tajikistan’s water could hedge against future droughts. For Pakistan, however, the priority should be fixing chronic inefficiencies—corrupt irrigation practices, crumbling infrastructure, and unchecked urbanization—that waste 60% of its water.

Vision or Mirage?

While transboundary water projects reflect ambitious diplomacy, Pakistan’s immediate crisis demands pragmatic local solutions. Mega-projects like the Tajikistan pipeline risk diverting resources from urgent reforms. As climate change intensifies, Pakistan must prioritize storage, conservation, and equitable distribution. Without addressing these fundamentals, even the most grandiose schemes will remain drops in an empty bucket.

Note: This editorial presents a critical analysis of Pakistan’s proposed water pipeline and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Kashmir-based news outlet. It aims to provoke informed discussion on regional water security and sustainable development.