Water is increasingly essential for the sustenance of human life; people’s livelihoods, food

security and socio-economic stability as well. In addition, Pakistan is absolutely

dependent on water resources because they fuel agriculture. Likewise, economic growth
and advancement of agriculture and economy truly lies in water availability. But the
depressing fact is that Pakistan is facing severe water shortage at present. Whereas,
water availability is emerging as a matter of serious concern in Pakistan. There is not only
an acute drinking water scarcity but also the irrigation water crisis which in turn, are
adversely affecting the agriculture sector and the livelihood of the common people.
Resultantly, the socio-economic development and growth of a country has been
hampered to great extent. There are multiple reasons behind this extreme water shortage
including lack of water reservoirs and storage dams, wastage of water and poor water
resource management an preservation policies. On the other hand, climate change is
also one of the root causes of water shortage in Pakistan which has caused drought like
situation in rural and remote areas.

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Keeping in view large chunk of Pakistan’s population have no access to safe and clean
drinking water. Besides, according to the news report ‘70 percent water in Pakistan is not
suitable for human consumption’. There is no denying the fact that Pakistan is the water
stressed country at the stage but if the visible measures are not taken in this very
direction, resultanly, Pakistan will be water scarce country from water stressed by
2025(policy makers predict).

Therefore, water shortage is truly a big challenge for Pakistan which needs to be paid
due attention on urgent basis. Furthermore, there is the dire need to formulate an effective
water resource management agenda, a uniform water distribution policy and an efficient
plan for the prevention of water wastage. Most importantly, the government should take
concerted efforts for building water reservoirs and storage dams in the country so that the
real issue can be addressed.

ASSAD ALI BALOCH,