Lahore (Report: Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan) Pakistan Awami Tehreek Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur has called the Asian Development Bank report on the worsening water crisis in Pakistan alarming and demanded immediate serious measures.
He said that according to the report, Pakistan is losing $2.2 billion annually due to poor water and sanitation systems and that 80% of the population is deprived of clean drinking water. According to the report, the beneficial use of water is low and the waste is high. The agriculture sector has been declared the top water waster. Pakistan is moving towards a dangerous drought crisis. Due to the excessive use of groundwater, arsenic is spreading, which is dangerous for human lives. The Asian Development Bank has raised very serious questions on technical capacity and coordination.
The bank has recommended the establishment of an independent authority for effective monitoring of water quality. The bank has also warned that if Pakistan does not pay attention to this, the efforts made for economic development will go in vain. He said that every issue is discussed in the assemblies but no one talks about the issues related to the strength and survival of the state. The bank’s report on water problems and the expected crisis in Pakistan should be seriously reviewed and necessary measures should be taken without delay. Awareness should be raised among the common citizens to stop water wastage and such hybrid breeds and modern agricultural techniques should be used in agriculture that require less water. Water is life and we are constantly playing with it.
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Muhammad Aurangzeb Khan, a senior journalist of the daily Tehreek, while analyzing, said that the growing water crisis in Pakistan is no longer just an environmental or administrative problem but has become a serious threat to the survival of the state, economic development and human health. The severity of the situation highlighted by the latest report by the Asian Development Bank is a clear indication that Pakistan could face severe economic and social instability in the future without practical reforms and urgent measures in its water policies. According to the report, an annual loss of $2.2 billion is being caused by poor water systems, weak sanitation infrastructure and ineffective water management, which is proof that the water issue should be a top national priority. Currently, 80 percent of the country is deprived of clean drinking water, uncontrolled use of groundwater has increased the amount of toxic elements such as arsenic, while agriculture—which is considered the backbone of the country’s economy—is one of the sectors that wastes the most water. This situation shows that Pakistan is jeopardizing its agricultural productivity as well as water wastage.
The Asian Development Bank has not only raised questions about the current situation but also recommended the establishment of an independent authority that can strictly monitor water quality and distribution. This recommendation actually points to a fundamental gap that has existed in the water sector for years—the lack of institutional coordination, technical capacity, and clear oversight. The situation is even more worrisome at the political level; as serious debate on these issues is rarely seen in parliament and related forums. An existential issue like water is often given secondary status, although if it is not addressed in a timely manner, all economic development plans can be ineffective.
What is needed now is that water use reforms, waste reduction, modern agricultural techniques, promotion of hybrid seeds, and public awareness should be made part of the national strategy. Delaying measures like water management in cities and villages, construction of reservoirs, recycling, and restrictions on groundwater use will now increase the national loss. It is inevitable to acknowledge the fact that “water is life,” but we unfortunately continue to ignore this fundamental truth. Continued water exploitation not only threatens the present generation but will also leave a devastating legacy for future generations, so there is no way out of this crisis without urgent, coordinated, and decisive practical action.
