Dr.-Ing. Akhtar is a hydrologist specialized in water resources management in data-scarce and climate-vulnerable regions. His work contributes to strengthening climate resilience, sustainable land and water management, and evidence-based water governance. He combines geospatial analysis and quantitative water systems modeling to assess water availability, agricultural demand, and groundwater dynamics under changing climatic conditions. His research focuses on water supply–demand interactions, irrigation performance, and developing science-based decision-support frameworks that inform policy and resource planning in fragile and transboundary contexts. He has worked for UNFAO, GIZ, USAID, among others, and provides scientific expertise on water policy, capacity building, and institutional development to National Ministries as well as to the Office of the President in Afghanistan.