Tough actions are needed
SHIKARPUR: Dams are necessary for a developing country like Pakistan where the economy chugs along an unstable path. However, the country is also facing the grave problem of water scarcity. The country has lost a significant land area to drought and climatic conditions. The current availability of water in Pakistan is only 178 billion cubic meters which is estimated at 860 cubic meters per capita. This is an alarming situation that is directly linked to over-population. At a rapidly increasing growth rate, Pakistan is the sixth-most populous country in the world.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Chief Justice of Pakistan have concluded that to construct new dams, that is, Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams, is necessary to overcome the water crisis. But if we only construct the dams and do not take actions to bring the growing population under control, this will nullify all progress and remedial measures. The Population Council report says that Pakistan witnesses four million unintended pregnancies annually. Tough actions are needed.
Wajahat Abro
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2018.
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