In an alarming analysis, the experts have expressed that, Pakistan may well face drought in next 8 years. They believe that water level in Pakistan could reach the ‘absolute scarcity’ level by year 2025.
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An upsetting forecast
A disturbing projection from the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has revealed that Pakistan already touched the ‘water stress line’ in 1990, as well as in 2005.
Subject to anonymity, a government officials in one of the South Asian countries said that imperative research is required to devise a solution. However, he also warned of the deficiency of available government funds.
The former chairman of Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan, Shamsul Mulk said:
“Water policy is simply non-existent in Pakistan. Policymakers act like ‘absentee landlords’ over water. Because of this absentee landlordism, water has become the property of the landlords and the poor are deprived of their share”
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Reasons behind the crisis?
It is noteworthy to mention that Pakistan has the fourth highest rate of water use in the world. However, the country depends on water from a single entity which happens to be the Indus River Basin in India. In addition, it has not been raining as frequently of late as it used to be in the past, and experts feel that this is one of the primary reasons to the change of climate.
Some experts believe that rapid growth in the population and urbanization are also the core reasons behind the crisis. On the other hand, some feel that the situation has been aggravated because of the climate change and weak water management.
The expert of energy sector, Irfan Choudhry, has said that the concerned authorities are reluctant to wrestle the problem. He further said:
“There are no proper water storage facilities in the country. Pakistan hasn’t built new dams since the 1960s. What we see is political bickering over the issue. The authorities need to act now. We can store water for only 30 days, and it is worrisome”
The politicians of the country believe that there is massive corruption in the water sector. On the other hand, some of them blame India for the water crisis in Pakistan.
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