KARACHI:
Water shortage in Pakistan has become a rather serious issue, but our politicians exploit this issue for personal and political gains. A simple solution to the water and power shortfall in the country was to build dams through which water for irrigation could be provided and cheap electricity could be generated. Unfortunately, instead of doing the needful, our politicians opposed the most feasible Kalabagh dam project. Politicians from K-P and Sindh twisted facts to create controversy around the project. This was the biggest disloyalty to the country.
Resultantly, we face shortages in dry months and severe flooding in the monsoons. The same politicians who always try to sabotage dam building projects fight over water distribution, unnecessarily politicising the issue. It is ironic that those who created roadblocks in the way of constructing dams accuse each other of not letting their province have its share of water. The reality is that our politicians have failed to discharge their respective duties. They must understand that while each province is given its share under the agreement by all provinces in 1992, there is not enough to meet the demand. Therefore, every province suffers in terms of getting an adequate share of water.
Unfortunately, the politicians are still not understanding the gravity of the issue and remain busy in creating allegations and counter-allegations against other provinces. They must realise that until they all work collectively and support the construction of dams we will be facing an even worst water crisis in the future. It is about time they shun their petty politics and work for the country.
Raja Shafaatullah
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2021.
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