A turning point for Pakistan’s groundwater with information system launch during national workshop

Pakistan is the fourth-largest user of groundwater globally, with 60% of the resource allocated for agriculture. Expectations were therefore high on September 19, 2024 when the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) launched the Groundwater Management Information System (GMIS) during the National Workshop on Pathways for Sustainable Groundwater Management, co-organized in Lahore by the CGIAR Initiative on NEXUS Gains. During the workshop, IWMI presented GMIS pilot projects that it is already undertaking with the Punjab Irrigation Department.

A number of national publications reported on the significance of the launch for Pakistan's groundwater users:

• The Tribune International: National Workshop on Pathways for Sustainable Groundwater Management in Pakistan held
• Daily Ausaf: IWMI launches GMIS system to counter water scarcity in Punjab
• Daily Pakistan: IWMI launches GMIS system to counter water scarcity in Punjab
• Daily Times: IWMI tackles water scarcity in Punjab with groundbreaking GMIS
• Dunya News: Groundwater Management Information System launched to address water scarcity in Punjab
• The Nation: IWMI tackles water scarcity in Punjab with groundbreaking GMIS
• UrduPoint: IWMI Tackles Water Scarcity In Punjab With Ground-breaking GMIS

Header image: Groundwater is extracted through a solar-powered tubewell in Punjab province, Pakistan. Photo by IWMI Pakistan.