Water crisis

The country’s water crisis has become a matter of grave concern, particularly in Rawalpindi, where residents are enduring severe water shortages. The inadequate and irregular water supply is disrupting daily life and posing significant public health risks. For weeks, numerous areas in Rawalpindi have faced drastic reductions in water availability. Taps run dry for hours, sometimes days, forcing people to rely on costly and unreliable private water tankers or unsafe sources. This situation not only strains household finances but also increases the risk of waterborne illnesses, particularly affecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.

A lack of clean and sufficient water affects every aspect of daily life, from sanitation and hygiene to food preparation and economic activity. It also threatens public health and the dignity of the affected communities. While the underlying causes — such as aging infrastructure, mismanagement and climate change — may be complex, they cannot justify the continued neglect of this critical issue. Experts have emphasised the potential of solutions like rainwater harvesting and better water management practices to help mitigate the crisis. I urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively. The water crisis must be treated with the urgency it demands.

Raja Zeeshan Shabbir

Rawalpindi