Trying to increase ag output in the middle of a drought is a losing proposition. As you say, if everyone right now was diverted to planting food on every scrap of usable land, they might be able to scrape by, "with bruises".

That's like the IPCC saying we can still hold warming to 1.5℃ if we get to "net zero" by 2030. It's technically possible, but it's highly unlikely.

Mass starvation, military suppression of food riots, mutiny, civil war, and warlords armed with nukes is the more probable outcome. At least in my analysis.

I was only in Pakistan once, for some archeology. My impression was that it was not a strong state.