Water shortage

According to some reports, the expected increase in population in the country will put tremendous pressure on water supply for households, industry and agriculture. The federal minister for water and power has said that a combination of global climate change, waste and mismanagement have led to an alarmingly rapid depletion of Pakistan’s water supply. Also, the Asian Development Bank has reported that Pakistan was next to being classified ‘water scarce’ country. The country is currently beset with a clear and present danger – the desertification of its agricultural land along with a drought.

This situation is a result of climate change. The desertification of the country’s fertile soil and the water shortage forecast can only be averted through a water management emergency in the country. In view of the above, it is the need of the hour that a water emergency be declared in the country and the ministries of planning and development, and water and power plan and implement a fast track water policy primarily focusing on storage reservoirs and the conservative use of water for agriculture and other uses.

Khan Faraz

Peshawar