Moonis flays govt over water issue

LAHORE: The PML-N has criminally allocated vital funds to "exhibitionist projects" like Orange Line Train and Metro Bus Service while overlooking the present and future water needs of the nation, alleged Pakistan Muslim League-Q central leader Moonis Elahi.

During a meeting with PML-Q Policy Development Group in Lahore, the PML-Q leader said that Pakistan might run out of water by 2025 if urgent measures were not taken as severe water shortage was already having an extremely negative impact on the country's economic and public health.

Moonis Elahi, quoting a recent research, warned that by 2025 Pakistan water demand would rise to 274 MAF while its water supply would be down to 191 MAF, creating an unbridgeable water deficit of 83 MAF. He said that rapidly increasing population coupled with poor water resource management, non-allocation of funds for building a sustainable water infrastructure and PML-N government's failure to prepare a comprehensive water policy were the reasons for the imminent crisis. Moonis Elahi also condemned PML-N leaders for their failure in creating a national consensus on construction of important Kalabagh Dam. He directed the PML-Q Policy Development Group to vigorously use the mass and social media platforms to inform the people of the dangers with regard to water shortage.