Persistent water depletion in Punjab sparks alarm over potential catastrophe

ISLAMABAD: Persistent water depletion in Punjab, Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, has raised alarms over a looming catastrophe, a parliamentary panel was informed on Friday.

A senior official from the Ministry of Water Resources briefed the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, warning that several cities in Punjab are facing critical water shortages. The official cautioned that without urgent intervention, the scarcity could severely impact the region’s agriculture and overall economy.

The committee, chaired by Senator Shahadat Awan, discussed the National Water Policy, groundwater depletion, and budget allocations. The Water Resources Minister Musadik Malik emphasized the alarming increase in groundwater depletion in Punjab. The committee underlined the urgent need for coordinated action to avert a potential water crisis in Punjab.

While discussing the situation in Sindh and Balochistan, the Secretary of Water Resources noted that waterlogging is decreasing in Sindh. However, the secretary emphasized that two cities in Punjab are in a particularly critical state due to water depletion, which could lead to disastrous outcomes if not addressed.