Groundwater use has increased across Pakistan, nowhere more than in the large canal-irrigated areas of the Indus Basin irrigation system (IBIS). These mega-irrigation systems use surface water and groundwater, often in equal measure. The two water sources are the same source and should be managed as such. Groundwater supplied by seepage from the surface system is pumped up to complement surface water supplies. The delivery of surface water supplies determines how much groundwater is used and how much recharge will happen. In most cases, such conjunctive management will not 'cost' extra water to make significant gains in yields and support drought resilience.

The information in this case study was prepared as part of the South Asia Water Initiative (SAWI) technical assistance project, Managing Groundwater for Drought Resilience in South Asia. SAWI is a multidonor trust fund supported by the United Kingdom, Australia, and Norway and administered by the World Bank

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