Pakistan, China partner on RMB 5 billion smart water projects to boost climate resilience

Pakistan and China have launched a new collaboration worth around RMB 5 billion to overhaul Pakistan’s water management infrastructure, integrating digital and smart technologies to strengthen irrigation efficiency and climate resilience.

Under a memorandum of understanding signed last month, Pakistan’s Cyclon Tech and China’s Shaanxi Water Development and Construction Group will jointly develop water conservancy and smart water management projects across the country. The partnership combines China’s engineering expertise with Pakistan’s operational capacity to modernise outdated systems that are central to food security and sustainable development.

Cyclon Tech CEO Tausif Abbas said Pakistan’s water infrastructure faces critical structural challenges, including aging irrigation networks, inefficient distribution, and limited storage capacity. These constraints, he noted, have contributed to recurring agricultural losses and rising water insecurity in rural areas dependent on old canal systems, according to a report by China Economic Net.

Abbas added that the partnership aims to introduce digital monitoring platforms, smart irrigation solutions, and construction standards inspired by China’s established water conservancy models. “We want to reduce water loss, improve agricultural productivity, and create systems that can withstand future climatic stresses,” he said.

A senior Cyclon Tech representative described the collaboration as “a practical bridge between China’s technological strength and Pakistan’s development priorities,” adding that smart, data-driven management will enhance both efficiency and resilience.

Beyond addressing current inefficiencies, the cooperation will focus on strengthening climate adaptation. Planned reservoir and canal projects are expected to improve water storage and ensure more reliable supplies during droughts, while real-time data tools will bolster flood forecasting and control. Intelligent systems will monitor river flows, rainfall, and groundwater levels — technologies that have proven vital in managing risks in flood-prone regions.