WATER SHORTAGE: A GREAT THREAT TO PAKISTAN'S ECONOMY

Pakistan is currently in the midst of what some are saying is the worst water crisis the country has ever seen. The manner in which we have been used to handle our resources and national affairs, this disastrous occurrence was bound to take us over. Pakistan is using almost all its water resources today and no more is available.
According to a “2006 World Bank report”, however, Pakistan is fast moving from being a water stressed country to a water scarce country, mainly due to its high population growth, and water is becoming the key development issue.

The “Kalabagh” controversy started some 15 years back and during this period we did nothing but to concentrate on speech-making for or against Kalabagh. Although it was known that consensus on construction of a new reservoir above or below Kalabagh will take some time and when it somehow gets finalized then preparation of its feasibility, design and then construction all would involve not less than 15 years. One preference for Kalabagh is that its designs are prepared and even the tender documents is ready.
WAPDA has now come up with its dream of “vision 2025”. We talk of constructing projects like “Bhasha” Dam. Unfortunately, we think of Bhasha probably similar to a plaza. Had we continued the research and study efforts started way back within WAPDA, we by now would have achieved a level of knowledge whereby our dependency on foreign expertise had been minimal. But, we wasted all opportunities and chances. No we can do nothing but hold “Namaz- e- Istasqa”.