What happened
Pakistan has developed a National Drought Action Plan, presented at a national consultative workshop in Islamabad on 29 March 2026, as the country moves to shift from post-impact relief to risk-based preparedness.
Federal Secretary for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha Humera Moriani said drought was “no longer a distant or occasional risk” but an increasingly persistent threat 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 relief rather than preparedness.
The plan, developed by the climate change ministry with support from the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification after extensive consultations, is built around five pillars: planning and resource mobilisation, governance and policy, early warning systems, local mitigation actions, and capacity building.
Why it matters
Moriani pointed to the Pakistan Drought Management System, developed with the International Water Management Institute and the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which provides real-time monitoring and early warning capabilities. “Data alone is not enough. We need systems that ensure timely data-informed and evidence-based decisions and on-ground implementation,” she said.
Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh said Pakistan continued to grapple with recurring and intensifying drought risks because of climate variability, water scarcity, heavy reliance on monsoon rainfall and growing pressure on surface and groundwater resources. The adverse effects cut across agriculture, water supply, energy production and livelihoods, he said, while responses had largely remained reactive and sector-specific. The plan is intended to provide a unified framework for coordinated action before, during and after drought events.
What happens next
The workshop, attended by representatives of federal and provincial governments, development partners and organisations including the International Water Management Institute, the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, aimed to finalise an operational framework for implementing the plan.
Expected outcomes included an operational framework document setting out institutional roles and coordination mechanisms, identification of priority sectors for drought-risk reduction, proposals for a National Drought Management Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee, and an implementation roadmap with timelines and reporting structures.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published reporting, not eyewitness coverage. Sources were reviewed on 2026-03-30.
- Dawn — Action plan unveiled to combat drought29 March 2026 · Reports the Islamabad workshop, Moriani's remarks and the five pillars of the National Drought Action Plan.
- Geo News — Pakistan launches first national drought plan to tackle water stress29 March 2026 · Covers the same workshop and the role of the Pakistan Drought Management System.
