Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 177
Figure 5.3: Percentage of Housing Units by Source of Drinking Water (Inside House) Figure 5.4 illustrates that main source used outside the house for drinking water is Motor Pump/Hand Pump water with 23.06% followed by Tap with 20.6% .
Figure 5.4: Percentage of Housing Units by Source of Drinking Water (Outside Home)
Province Wise Analysis of Drinking Water Facility
The availability of drinking water inside and outside households across different provinces in
Pakistan, based on Census 2023 is shown in Table 5.14. Punjab has the highest number of
households with access to drinking water inside the house, reaching 14.13 million, followed by
Sindh with 6.28 million and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 3.80 million. In contrast, Balochistan
shows a concerning trend, where more households rely on outside sources (1.37 million)
compared to those with water inside the house (0.95 million). The data indicates that
Balochistan faces significant challenges, with a large portion of its population lacking direct
household access to water.
Table 5.14: Drinking Water Facility Inside/Outside the house by provinces
Province/ Area
Number of
Households
Inside the House
Outside the House
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
5,861,457
3,804,386
2,057,071
Punjab
19,839,980
14,131,447
5,708,533
Sindh
9,862,870
6,276,126
3,586,744
Balochistan
2,317,256
950,393
1,366,863
Islamabad
410,993
241,339
169,654
3.71
8.86
19.05
5.88
7.23
4.38
3.58
3.62
23.06
20.62
Others
Canal/River/Pond
Tanker/Water Bearer*
Filtration Plant*
Spring
Bottled Water*
Unprotected Well
Protected Well
Electric/Hand pump
Tap
1.57
0.27
2.42
57.44
38.3
Others
Unprotected well
Protected well
Electric/Hand Pump
Tap
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 178
Figure 5.5 illustrates the percentage of housing units by source of drinking water in different
provinces of Pakistan, as recorded in the Census 2023. Punjab has the highest percentage
(71.23%) of households with water available inside, while only 28.77% depend on external
sources. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa follows closely with 64.91% having inside access and 35.09%
relying on outside sources. Similarly, Sindh shows a comparable trend, with 63.63 % having
water inside and 36.37% outside.
However, Balochistan stands out as the only province where a majority (58.99%) of
households rely on external sources, while only 41.01% have access inside. This disparity
indicates better infrastructure in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whereas Balochistan
faces significant challenges in water accessibility.
Figure 5.5: Province wise Percentages of Housing Units by Source of Drinking Water,
Census-2023
According to Figure 5.6 Punjab has the highest percentage of households using tap water at
45.93%, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 34.49% and Sindh at 31.93%, while Islamabad
and Balochistan have relatively lower access at 24.47% and 25.17%, respectively. The use of
motor pumps or hand pumps is the most common across most provinces, with Punjab leading
at 57.70%, followed by Islamabad at 48.72%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 37.26%, and Sindh at
33.91%. Balochistan has the lowest reliance on this source at 16.78% , indicating limited
groundwater extraction infrastructure.
Dug wells are the least utilized source overall, with Balochistan having the highest
proportion of households depending on them at 18.43%, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at
10.68%, while Punjab, Sindh, and Islamabad show minimal reliance at 3.56%, 0.97%, and
3.49%, respectively. The data highlights significant regional disparities in water access, with
Punjab having the best -developed infrastructure, while Balochistan remains the most
dependent on traditional water sources. The heavy reliance on motor pumps in Punjab, Sindh,
and Islamabad also raises concerns about groundwater depletion. These findings emphasize the
need for improved water supply infrastructure, particularly in Balochistan, and sustainable
water resource management across all provinces.
64.91
71.23
63.63
41.01
58.72
35.09
28.77
36.37
58.99
41.28
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Punjab Sindh Balochistan Islamabad
Inside the House Outside the House
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 179
Figure 5.6: Province wise Percentages of Sources of Drinking Water
District Wise Analysis of Drinking Water Facility (Inside House)
The Figure 5.7 illustrates the inside drinking water concentration in districts of Pakistan. In
Pakistan only 66.34 percent households have the facility of drinking water within the premises,
the remaining 33.66 are using drinking water outside source. Among Province, Punjab with 71
% leads in drinking water inside house, while Balochistan is ranked lowest among four
provinces of Pakistan with 41 %.
The average drinking water facility inside house across 136 districts stands at 66.34%.
The districts with toilet rates higher than the average of 66.34% are 50. Whereas, 86 districts,
or over half of Pakistan's total, have drinking water facility below 66. 34%. This average
provides a baseline for evaluating the equitable distribution of drinking water facility across
Pakistan's districts. The drinking water inside house rates across the districts reveal a diverse
distribution.
• Up to 20.0% Drinking Water Rate (Inside House): Five districts i.e. Jhal Magsi, Kolai
Palas Kohistan, Kohlu, Tharparker and Barkhan, lies in this category shows that less than 20%
households have drinking water facility inside house. This depicts severe issues of water
facility Inside House creates several health and other issues.
• 20.1% to 40.0% Drinking Water Rate (Inside House): 30 districts shows that a significant
percentage of these households do not have drinking water facility inside the house, reflecting
moderate levels of water scarcity Inside House and underscoring the need for targeted
interventions to enhance water infrastructure and accessibility.
• 40.1% to 60.0% Drinking Water Rate (Inside House): 33 districts with drinking water rates
between 40.1% and 60.0%, indicating relatively better access of drinking water Inside Houses.
• 60.1% to 80.0% Drinking Water Rate (Inside House): 43 districts in this range, indicating
significant advancements in water accessibility, with nearly two -thirds to three -quarters of
households enjoying clean drinking water, setting a strong foundation for public health and
well-being
• 80.1% and Drinking Water Rate (Inside House): 25 districts with drinking water rates
above 80.1%, achieving this high level of access to drinking water facility Inside House,
demonstrating exceptional success in water infrastructure development and management.
34.49
37.26
10.68
25.17
57.70
0.97
45.93
33.91
3.56
31.93
16.78
18.43
24.47
48.72
3.49
Tap Water Motor pump/Hand pump (bore hole) Dug Well (Protected/Unprotected)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Punjab Sindh Balochistan Islamabad
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 180
Figure 5.7:District Wise Drinking Water Facility (Inside House) Pakistan, Census-2023
By analyzing high and low rank districts, The districts with highest percentage of drinking
water inside premises includes Bhakkar ( 97.94 %) Charsada (94. 99%), Larkana (94.9 1%),
Muzafargarh (94.01%) and Mardan (93.85%). The districts with lowest percentage were also
observed which includes Jhal Magsi (18.1%), Kohlu (17.41%), Kolai Palas Kohistan (17.41%),
Tharparkar (14.8%) and Barkhan (10.71%).
The district wise drinking water (inside the premises) comparison of all four provinces
of Pakistan, is also illustrated in the Figure 5.8. The Purple and red vertical dashed lines
represent national and provincial average of drinking water facility (Inside House). Districts
bars shown in descending order with respect to percentages of drinking water (inside the
premises).
Punjab leads in the percentage of households with access to drinking water inside the
premises, with 27 districts exceeding the national average and 22 districts surpassing the
provincial average of 71.23%. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 10 districts are above the national
average, while 12 outperform the provincial average of 64.91%. In Sindh, urban districts like
Karachi report higher access to inside drinking water, whereas rural districts show
comparatively lower levels. Overall, 13 districts in Sindh exceed t he national average, and 15
surpass the provincial average of 63.63%.
However, Balochistan has the lowest percentages overall, with all of its districts falling
well below the national averages, indicating severe water accessibility issues. Some of the most
affected districts in Balochistan include Barkhan, Kohlu and Jhal Magsi where access to
drinking water inside homes is alarmingly low. Similarly, in Sindh, districts such as
Tharparkar, Umerkot, Thata, and Kimari also show lower -than-average accessibility,
highlighting critical infrastructure gaps.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 181
Figure 5.8: District Wise Comparision of Drinking Water Facility Inside the Premises
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 182
II. Source of Lighting
In Census 2023 along with other sources, solar panels source is also included to assess the main
sources of electricity. Solar energy is environmentally friendly technology, a great energy
supply and one of the most significant renewable and green energy sources. Solar lighting plays
a vital role in nation development by providing energy access to remote communities, powering
essential services like healthcare and education, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels as well as
boosts economic growth by creating jobs in the solar industry and reducing energy costs for
businesses and households. Additionally, solar lighting enhances energy security, mitigates
climate change, and supports sustainable development goals.
Electricity is the major source of lighting in the Pakistan. It is observed that 84.03% of
houses all over the Pakistan has reported electricity as main source of lighting in Census-2023
as compared to 87.87% in Census 2017. It seems that in Census 2017 due to the non-availability
of Solar panel codes the response regarding solar panels was recorded in electricity, as the
difference between electricity and solar panel in 2017 and 2023 is now clearly evident in solar
panel along with other usage.
Table 5.15 reveals that availability of electricity in urban areas is higher with 95.41% as compared to 76.69% in rural areas. The solar panels have shown more usage in rural areas than urban areas with 11.19% and 2.38% respectively, may be due to non-availability of electricity in that area.
A significant decline has been observed in the use of Kerosene Oil as a source of lighting which was reported as 3.67% in Census-2017 to 1.23% in Census-2023. This decrease has also been seen in rural and urban areas of the Pakistan.
Moreover, the percentage of use of other sources of lighting covered under the category of others has decreased from 8.28% in Census-2017 to 6.81% in Census-2023.
84.03% 7.74% 1.23% 0.01% 0.14% 0.04% 6.81%
Electricity Solar Panel Kerosene Oil Gas Lamp Generator Bio Gas Others
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 183
Table 5.15: Number of Housing Units by Source of Lighting and Rural/Urban, Census-2017 and
2023
*Solar Panel, Generator and Biogas were not included in Census-2023
Province Wise Analysis of Electricity
Electricity remains the primary source of lighting across all provinces, with the highest
percentage in Islamabad at 96.68%, followed by Punjab at 94.95%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at
79.90%, Sindh at 70.33%, and the lowest in Balochistan at 57.11% as shown in Table 5.16.
The use of solar panels as an alternative source is most prevalent in Balochistan, where
26.4% of households rely on it, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 13.06% and Sindh at
12.58%, while its usage remains minimal in Punjab and Islamabad at 1.69% and 2.20%,
respectively.
Table 5.16: Province wise Percentages of Housing Units by Source of Lighting
District Wise Analysis of Electricity
District wise use of electricity has been depicted in the figure 5.9. Electricity as source of
lighting in Pakistan aims to identify disparities, understand technological challenges, and
inform policy decisions to improve electric supply across districts. In Pakistan, 84% of
household are using Electricity as source for lighting in 2023. The average electricity
Source Of Lightening
2017
2023
All Areas
Rural
Urban
All Areas
Rural
Urban
Electricity
Number
28,043,661
16,316,837
11,726,824
32,179,042
17,845,650
14,333,392
Percent
87.87
82.25
97.09
84.03
76.69
95.41
Solar Panel
Number
2,962,152 2,604,924 357,228 Percent
7.74 11.19 2.38 Kerosene Oil Number 1,170,740 1,055,361 115,379 471,530 428,521 43,009 Percent 3.67 5.32 0.96 1.23 1.84 0.29 Gas Lamp Number 57,484 47,892 9,592 5,413 2,560 2,853 Percent 0.18 0.24 0.08 0.01 0.01 0.02 Generator Number
52,382 47,797 4,585 Percent
0.14 0.21 0.03 Bio Gas Number
15,043 10,752 4,291 Percent
0.04
0.05
0.03
Others
Number
2,643,999
2,417,053
226,946
2,606,994
2,328,663
278,331
Percent
8.28
12.18
1.88
6.81
10.01
1.85
Number of Housing Units
31,915,884
19,837,143
12,078,741
38,292,556
23,268,867
15,023,689
Source of Lightening
2023
Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa
Punjab
Sindh
Balochistan Islamabad
Electricity
79.90
94.95
70.33
57.11
96.68
Solar Panel
13.06
1.69
12.58
26.4
2.20
Kerosene Oil
0.45
0.64
2.07
4.95
0.15
Gas Lamp
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.05
0.01
Generator
0.73
0.02
0.03
0.14
0.02
Bio Gas
0.04
0.02
0.06
0.13
0.02
Others
5.8
2.68
14.92
11.22
0.91
Number of Housing Units
5,861,457
19,839,980
9,862,870
2,317,256
410,993