Lawmakers call for urgent action on water crisis, smog

Legislators from both treasury and opposition benches highlighted urgent issues related to water scarcity, smog, and population growth in Punjab Assembly session on Friday.

They urged the government to take immediate, concrete measures to prevent these problems from escalating further.

Provincial Irrigation Minister Kazim Ali Pirzada underscored the need for consensus on the Kalabagh Dam, describing it as "Pakistan's lifeline."

He urged all political parties to prioritise the dam's construction over partisan differences, stressing, "Efforts on this project should not start today but right now."

Pirzada noted that Pakistan's water resources are depleting at an alarming rate, adding that the dam would be a major step towards securing water reserves for future generations.

Opposition Leader Ahmad Khan Bhachar voiced his frustration over the lack of action on Kalabagh Dam, suggesting that if it had been prioritized as highly as some recent legislative amendments, the dam would be operational today.

Bhachar expressed hope that the government would commit more resources and effort to water security.

Opposition MPA Ahsan Raza offered a proposal to conserve rainwater, suggesting that wells be constructed to capture and store rainwater instead of allowing it to drain into the sewer system.

He proposed a strategy to mandate well construction near new developments or green belts every 100 feet, which would help address urban water shortages.

Treasury lawmaker Rana Saleem echoed these concerns, pointing out the need for the agriculture department to guide farmers on water usage.

Saleem suggested a targeted approach toward water-intensive crops and encouraged sustainable agricultural practices to mitigate water waste.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan emphasised the importance of these recommendations and referred them to the relevant standing committees for detailed evaluation and action.

He urged that both the agriculture and irrigation departments work in tandem to address the ongoing water crisis.

Treasury MPA Amjad Ali Javed brought up air pollution and transportation policies, highlighting the shift from public transit to more polluting vehicles, such as motorcycles and auto-rickshaws. Javed called for a strategic approach to reintroduce buses to reduce emissions.