Some people believe that dying rivers can be revived by opting technological measure like constructing dams, controlling the flow of water, diverting the direction of flow of water etc. However, the question needs scientific investigation based answer because drying out of numerous rivers may cause a serious problem in future for several countries including Pakistan.
Complex issue - but in too many cases technological measures like dams and irrigation canals are actually the cause of the problem... You are totally right, any management decision or measure to be taken has to be based on scientific evidence - including both the analysis of the reasons for rivers dying as well as an assessment of the expected outcomes of measures based on scenario analysis. And such analyses rely on (hydrological) data. Unfortunately, the number of hydrological stations is declining worldwide.
There may be a variety of circumstances, land use and management activities that may contribute to loss of river flow or quality, resulting in loss of function to extent the river is essentially dead. Many of the rivers loose Function when watersheds are overgrazed, cultivated with severe erosion, deforestation of steep, unstable slopes, urbanized, dams, channelization, levees, diversions, irrigation, over appropriation of water, etc. The technology of today would do well to increasingly understand natural river morphology, ecology and function, and how dams and other actions can effect rivers in both positive and negative ways.
Hydrologically, through time, dams are unstable, and need to be properly designed, assessed, maintained, and eventually will fail or need to be repaired or replaced. Dam failure can be especially impactive to downstream areas, land, river morphology and communities.
In most circumstances, rivers can be improved or revived, but depending on the past and conditions, revival under natural circumstances can be slow or not effective. Restoring streams will Often involve stabilizing watersheds and establishing stable, native land cover and responsible land use practices such as BMPs. Recovery of heavily damaged and eroded landscapes can be costly. Recovery plans would do well to include a variety of technical specialists including hydrologist, soil scientist, ecologist, botanist, civil engineer, land owners, government resource agencies, and others to assess the conditions and help develop a comprehensive plan.
Yes rejuvenation of river system is possible through various land and water conservation measures, but it has to be implemented on a watershed basis. To start with reasons for the dying of a river in a given region has to be understood and later appropriate conservation measures has to be implemented. Many possible reasons and remedial measures have already been explained very nicely by Dr. Stephen and Dr. William. As mentioned, it has to be an Integrated River Basin Management approach, involving experts from various fields and participation of stakeholders for long term sustainability.
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