Pakistan launches first national drought plan

ISLAMABAD
Federal Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha Humera Moriani has stressed the urgent need for Pakistan to move from a reactive to a proactive, risk-based approach to drought management, warning that climate change is making droughts more frequent and more severe.
Addressing a national consultative workshop on the National Drought Action Plan in Islamabad, she said drought was no longer a distant or occasional threat but an increasingly persistent challenge driven by rising temperatures, water stress and climate variability. “Pakistan is already among the countries facing high water risk and drought directly affects agriculture, water resources, food security, ecosystems and livelihoods,” she said, adding that past responses had largely focused on post-impact relief rather than preparedness.
Moriani highlighted the need for a coordinated institutional and policy framework to translate data into action.
She acknowledged the role of the International Water Management Institute, the Pakistan Meteorological Department and partners in developing the Pakistan Drought Management System, which provides real-time monitoring and early warning capabilities.
“This is a significant step forward. However, data alone is not enough. We need systems that ensure timely data-informed and evidence-based decisions and on-ground implementation,” she said.
The secretary informed participants that the ministry, with support from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and following extensive consultations, had developed a National Drought Action Plan.
The plan is structured around key pillars, including planning and resource mobilisation, governance and policy, early warning systems, local mitigation actions and capacity building.
The workshop, attended by representatives from federal and provincial governments, development partners and organisations including IWMI, PMD, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, aimed to finalise an operational framework for implementing the plan.
Participants discussed identifying priority sectors, defining institutional roles and responsibilities, and developing a roadmap for short, medium and long-term actions. Moriani emphasised that effective drought management required strong coordination among federal and provincial governments, technical agencies and development partners.