Sindh Water Policy

Background

The Sindh Water Policy (2023) is aligned with the National Water Policy (2018) which was formulated by the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which mandates provinces to develop strategies for sustainable water resource management. In response, the Government of Sindh initiated the development of a comprehensive provincial policy to address key water sector challenges through an inclusive and multi-stakeholder approach.

The SWP aims to promote sustainable growth by focusing on critical areas such as water security, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, pollution control, and the protection of wetlands and the Indus Delta. It also emphasizes addressing food security and poverty, particularly in rural areas.

The SWP formulation process was initiated in June 2019 by PCMU-WSIP, Planning & Development Department, and the Irrigation Department, Government of Sindh. A structured three-tier institutional mechanism was established, comprising the Steering Committee, Inter-Departmental Technical Committee, and Drafting Group. To support evidence-based planning, nine diagnostic studies were conducted with the assistance of international partners, including FAO and the World Bank, as well as national and international experts.

Following extensive consultations and deliberations, the Sindh Cabinet approved the province’s first-ever Sindh Water Policy on 22 July 2023. The policy was formally launched on 3 August 2023 in Karachi.

Implementation Progress

The implementation of the Sindh Water Policy is being supported under Component-1 of the SWAT Project. Key strategic initiatives under the policy include the development of a new legal framework for water resources, the Hydro-Agro Informatics (HAI) Program, the Sindh Strategic Water Plan (SSWP), water pricing reforms, and an institutional restructuring study.

Recognizing that policy documents required strong implementation frameworks, the Government of Sindh initiated follow-up actions immediately after the policy launch, with the Irrigation Department serving as the lead custodian.

  • Efforts to develop a New Water Law began in June 2024 under the SWAT Project. A drafting group comprising one international expert on water and environmental law and three national experts was constituted. The first draft of the new water bill was shared with project partners in May 2025 and subsequently reviewed by the Irrigation Department and SIDA. After incorporating feedback, a revised draft was submitted in February 2026. The Irrigation Department has since constituted a committee of senior officials to finalize the draft for submission to the Sindh Cabinet, with the aim of presenting the approved bill to the Sindh Assembly within this year.
  • The Hydro-Agro Informatics (HAI) Program was initiated in February 2023 with stakeholder consultations and international exposure visits, including to the Royal Irrigation Department in Bangkok, Thailand. The planning and design phase has been completed in collaboration with US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water, Mehran University, Jamshoro, and CEGIS Bangladesh. The design report has been approved by the Project Steering Committee, and preparations are underway to launch Phase-II, focusing on system development and implementation.
  • The Sindh Strategic Water Plan (SSWP) represents a cornerstone initiative for operationalizing integrated water resources management in the province. It aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap covering short-term (5 years), medium-term (20 years), and long-term (50 years) planning horizons. The plan focuses on addressing key water challenges, strengthening regional IWRM planning, and developing resource management strategies along with water allocation and pricing mechanisms. The Terms of Reference for the SSWP were developed during the SWAT and policy formulation phases, refined through stakeholder consultations, and presented in December 2024. The assignment is currently in the final stages of procurement, with consultants expected to be mobilized by June 2026.
  • The Sindh Water Pricing Reform Study, initially planned as a separate assignment under the SWAT Project, has been integrated into the SSWP to ensure a more cohesive and comprehensive approach.
  • Work on the Institutional Restructuring Study is also planned as part of the broader reform agenda to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the water sector. This study will be launched after adoption of New Sindh Water Law Bill.