The issue of growing water shortage in our country is unfortunately discussed far too rarely and is hardly given the coverage — on, say, the electronic media — that it deserves, compared to some other issues. Yet, we should be giving far more serious thought to the water crisis we face, given that it could have serious ramifications for us some years into the future, and most certainly for our future generations. Already, the dwindling flow of water in the Indus has led to a crisis in the south of the country, as farmers in Sindh complain of insufficient water to sustain crops and the encroaching sea (the sea takes giant bites out of coastal areas as the size of the Indus Delta shrinks).
A report released by the UN last year described Pakistan as one of the world’s “hotspots” as far as water shortages were concerned and warned of a rapidly worsening situation, exacerbated by global warming and climate change. The rapid melting rate of Himalayan glaciers is also giving rise to global concerns. We simply cannot afford to sit back on our heels and watch in silence any longer. Within some 50 years Pakistan has turned into a country where water is vanishing fast as compared with one where it was once plentiful. The existing sources are badly contaminated and water-borne diseases kill more and more people each year.
The problem can be addressed only if we make it a priority as far as relations with India are concerned. In many ways, the water crisis has far more significance for the lives of ordinary people than the question of Kashmir or terrorism. As experts say, the 1960 Indus Water Basin Treaty, signed at a time when India and Pakistan both had abundant water, is now outdated. A new agreement is required. Tensions such as those that exist over dam construction on the Indus River by India need to be eradicated by creating an environment within which an amicable formula can be devised. This is the only way forward. The alternative is disastrous. We also need to build greater inter-provincial trust, create cooperation based on justice and promote the notion that water is a precious resource which must not be wasted or contaminated in any way.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2012.
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"As experts say, the 1960 Indus Water Basin Treaty, signed at a time when India and Pakistan both had abundant water, is now outdated. "
This article is short on facts and is misleading. The total quantum of water flow into Pakistan has been the same since the past 65 years but the per capita water availability has shrunk by one fifth solely due to the six fold increase of Pakistan's population.
The solution to Pakistan's problems does not lie in blaming India. Pakistan needs to build more dams on its soil to catch all the rain run off such as the mega floods that inundate the country once every few years. More importantly, Pakistan needs to control the growth of its population that is exploding.
It is the second time Tribune has written an editorial about water. Thanks. Points need to be taken seriously. A 2009 report by the Washington DC based Woodrow Wilson Center described Pakistan’s water shortage as “deeply troubling.” It quotes South Asia scholar Anatol Lieven as saying that water shortages present “the greatest future threat to the viability of Pakistan as a state and a society.” So even though Pakistanis suffering from historic flooding may see their problem as having an overabundance of water, in fact, the real problem is having too little of it. In my view Pakistan must improve relations and make sure that water does not become a source of hostilities, which will harm a lot more than Kashmir dispute.
Improve your water management system before blaming India.
Pakistan : No Water and No Electricity but a Nuclear Power +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well the country made its choices!
Why is india responsible for water crisis in Pakistan, hasn't it been proved that Pakistan does not have water management system or does not implement whatever few plans it has with regards water management.as for as renegotiating water treaty well if flow in Indus has reduced so has the flow for other rivers of Indus river system used by India
Not a single word about the no of dams built by Pakistan from 1947 vis a vis built by India, not a single word about the alleged theft of water by pakistani punjabi elite, not a word about rain water harvesting and conservation, not a word about small check dams. not a word about bricklining the age old irrigation canals, not a word about drip irrigation and other miserly water usage in agriculture, not a word about population control. Amazing ET. Still I would think it is a reasonable editorial because "Water is more important than Kashmir", yes, you said it. But to India "terrorism is more important than water, esp terrorism spawned by Pak towards India"