The business community of Lahore has expressed concern over Pakistan's worsening water crisis and called for immediate measures to stave off severe economic, agricultural and environmental challenges.
"With nearly 35 million acre feet (MAF) of water being wasted annually into sea due to the absence of sufficient reservoirs, Pakistan is facing an impending disaster that requires swift and decisive action," said Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Mian Abuzar Shad and Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry in a statement on Tuesday.
They said that Pakistan's water storage capacity was dangerously low, covering only 30 days of demand, whereas international standards required at least 120 days of reserves.
They were of the view that if the construction of Kalabagh Dam continued to be delayed, the country would suffer intensified water shortages, reduced agricultural output and a worsening power crisis. They said that the opposition to Kalabagh Dam was based on misunderstanding as the project was vital for the entire nation, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The dam will store over 6.1 MAF of water, generate 3,600 megawatts of hydroelectric power and significantly reduce reliance on costly thermal energy.
The LCCI office-bearers also highlighted the severe water crisis in Cholistan, where prolonged droughts and the lack of sustainable water supply have placed thousands of people and livestock in extremely difficult conditions.
They called for the immediate completion of Cholistan canal project, which was essential for providing consistent water supply, preventing desertification and sustaining livelihoods in the region.
They added that the government must act swiftly to ensure that water could reach the affected areas, allowing agriculture and livestock farming to thrive once again. The LCCI office-bearers also stressed the broader need for water conservation and infrastructure development.
They urged the government to accelerate work on Diamer-Bhasha, Mohmand and other projects while simultaneously introducing modern water management techniques such as drip irrigation, wastewater treatment and canal lining to reduce water wastage.
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