Water Crisis

It is the irony of the modern times that one of the most-rich natural resource can’t be discussed without perturbation of its increasing shortage. Entire world is facing water crisis but when it comes to South Asia, case is even more drastic. Looming water war in the region can’t be neglected. Hydro politics in the region isn’t only contest over natural resources but also a symbolic contest over identities and meanings. It’s only worsening the situation. World economic forum rightly stated water as threat for national security at top in the region. Since inception, vicious cycle of enmity with a hostile neighbor brought only dark clouds on the sky of Pakistan. India having not reconciled with creation of Pakistan created a serious of problems for Pakistan. Furthermore hasty exit of British government engulfed Indo-Pakistan relations into numerous problems. Adding the insult to an injury, India subjugated right of self-determination of Kashmiris and hence got control over northern waters i.e. head waters of Indus river system. Now India has lethal weapon to cripple the economy and survival of our nation. Rest is the story as till today Indian hostilities are in continuation motion. Apart from India, our domestic chapter too can’t have face saving. Owing to the recent reports of World Economic Forum (WEF) and Economic Survey of Pakistan (ESP), threshold of water scarcity has exalted to approximately 70% and only 150 MAF (Million acre feet) surface water and  24 MAF ground water is available. This is an alarming situation. Various factors brought this day to the country which is fortunate to own abundant water resources. Neither the persistent threat of water scarcity can be neglected nor the factors behind it. Pakistan needs to shift her focus from scarcity to management of water. Best utilization of every single drop is very important. Attitude of nation as whole towards this precious gift is pathetic. Aloofness from its importance is another actor along with mismanagement of present-flows,  interprovincial rifts, draw backs in agriculture sector predominantly canal system, lack of ownership, ailing techniques of distribution, climate change and hostile neighbor pulled cart to the desert. Nation only has to blame politicians and institutions for their lackluster attempts. The dire need of time is to sense our own responsibility towards the cause. In Canada, car-wash with fresh water is banned. There’s penalty of 1000 Dollars on its violation. Whereas in Pakistan liters of water are wasted on the sacred purpose of car wash. This is only one example. We need to look upon whether Pakistan is really scarce or its lack of reservoirs along with wastage.  Incumbent utilization of available resources and lack of storage capacities need to be addressed on war footage bases. Irrespective of its legal cum administrative status, Initiative of dam campaign by chief Justice of Pakistan sensitized the masses. The limbo of state’s inefficiency for building of dams is an old story now as per government of Pakistan has owned this campaign. As a whole all the institutions and every single individual need to realize the call of the time.    Water saving and death knell of domestic cum agricultural wastage along with building of storage capacities are the steps towards sustainable water management.