In Pakistan, research has documented elevated concentrations of heavy metals in drinking water sources across multiple regions. The mechanisms for this contamination are multifaceted. Aging pipeline networks, constructed decades ago, corrode over time, allowing heavy metals to leach into water. These metals are non-degradable and bio-accumulative. Lead exposure can impair cognitive development in children, arsenic is a known carcinogen and cadmium affects kidneys and bone health. Such toxicities undermine Pakistan’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
Addressing this requires immediate policy action: systematic replacement of obsolete pipelines, corrosion control and nationwide heavy metal monitoring with transparent public reporting.
Aiza Javed
Islamabad
