IWMI Expert Calls for Comprehensive Water Accounting and Auditing System in Pakistan
IWMI's Pakistan representative Dr Muhammad Ashraf says a national water accounting and auditing system would improve planning, allocation and trust.
ISLAMABAD, 19 October 2026 – A comprehensive water accounting and auditing system could strengthen water governance in Pakistan, improve planning and support fairer use of resources, according to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
What the expert said
Dr Muhammad Ashraf, IWMI’s Country Representative in Pakistan, said accurate water resource assessments and systematic accounting are essential for evidence-based policymaking, transparent water allocation and sustainable water management. He said a full assessment of water from glaciers, rainfall, groundwater, wastewater and hill torrents would give policymakers a clearer picture of what is available and help them decide how to develop and use it.
A financial analogy
Dr Ashraf compared the approach with financial accounting. Water accounting involves recording inflows, consumption and outflows, he explained, while water audits can identify losses, improve efficiency and help ensure resources are used effectively. In plain terms, a country needs a reliable balance sheet for its water before it can manage it well.
Data for dams and investment
He linked reliable data to major infrastructure decisions. According to Dr Ashraf, accurate assessments of current resources and future needs support sound investment decisions on projects such as dams and help secure long-term water supplies. Without such data, planners risk sizing infrastructure on weak assumptions.
Consultations under way
Dr Ashraf said consultations with federal and provincial stakeholders have been held to develop guidelines on water resource assessment and water accounting, laying the groundwork for a more systematic and coordinated approach. He said integrating assessment, accounting and auditing into policy and development planning could improve institutional accountability, enhance transparency and build trust among those involved in water distribution. A data-driven approach, he added, would help authorities spot opportunities to cut losses, improve allocation and promote efficient use.
He stressed that federal and provincial governments, relevant institutions and stakeholders must coordinate so that reliable water data turns into practical measures for water governance and long-term water security.
Background: IWMI in Pakistan
IWMI is a research-for-development organisation headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, working in more than 50 countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas. It has worked with Pakistani farming communities as well; one of its earlier news items described introducing sustainable water management practices to farmers there. Its research on water data and digital tools, including remote sensing and AI-based analytics, is part of a wider push to help governments close information gaps. The institute says it uses AI, advanced analytics and digital technologies, including digital twins and remote sensing, to improve forecasting, bridge data gaps and enable real-time monitoring.
Why it matters
Water accounting is rarely headline news, yet it underpins almost every major water decision. In a country where water is shared among provinces, sectors and communities, disagreements often turn on whose numbers are right. A common accounting framework with independent auditing can reduce those disputes by creating a shared factual base.
It also matters for climate adaptation. Glacier melt, rainfall variability and groundwater use are changing, and the figures that guided past planning may no longer hold. Counting all sources, including wastewater and hill torrents that are often overlooked, can reveal untapped options as well as risks.
The proposal also fits global discussions. The 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi on 8–10 December will examine data, investment and governance, three themes that water accounting touches directly.
Conclusion
Dr Ashraf’s message is simple: manage water the way a prudent organisation manages money, by measuring what comes in, what goes out and what is lost. Consultations on guidelines are a first step, but the real challenge is institutional, getting federal and provincial bodies to adopt common methods and publish reliable data. If that happens, Pakistan could base decisions on dams, allocation and efficiency on evidence rather than estimates.
Sources: The Nation (19 October 2026); IWMI; Smart Water Magazine.
