Access to safe drinking water has become one of the gravest yet most neglected crises in Pakistan. What should be a guaranteed basic right has turned into a daily gamble with life. Contaminated water is silently poisoning our people, especially our children, and the cost is measured in graves and hospital beds.
According to reports by UNICEF and World Health Organization, a significant portion of Pakistan’s population lacks access to safely managed drinking water. Studies indicate that nearly 70–85% of water sources in the country are unsafe for consumption. Waterborne diseases account for a large percentage of illnesses in hospitals, and diarrhoea remains one of the leading causes of death among children under five. It is often stated that every eighth Pakistani suffers from a water-related disease — a statistic that should alarm policymakers and citizens alike.
In many urban neighbourhoods, broken and outdated pipelines allow sewage to mix with drinking water. In rural areas, families depend on contaminated wells, hand pumps and surface water. Industrial waste and unchecked dumping further pollute rivers and underground reserves. Meanwhile, regulatory oversight remains weak and inconsistent.
Instead of repeatedly treating the same preventable diseases, we must invest in prevention. And public awareness is equally crucial. Clean water is a fundamental human right. Access to safe drinking water must not depend on wealth, geography or political neglect.
Amina Kashani
Shapuk
