News Analysis |
Pakistan is running short of water these days. The debate got more attention when the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took a notice of water crisis in the country and asked authorities about constructing new dams. During a hearing last week the Supreme Court had observed that water resources were crucial for survival and directed the authorities to take immediate and effective measures to build two dams — Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand. Furthermore, it had appealed to the general public, including Pakistanis residing abroad, to donate for the cause.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance on Thursday opened an account under the title of “DIAMER-BHASHA AND MOHMAND DAM FUND –2018”.
The account was opened in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s order to the Federal Government, WAPDA and the executive authority to take effective measures in light of unanimous decisions of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to develop the 4,500MW Bhasha dam and 700MW Mohmand dam.
The CJP has recently said that it was his top priority now to deal with the water crisis. There can be no life without water, the CJP has remarked. Pakistan’s mainstream political parties generally do not focus on environment or issues which cannot be projected as development.
The account bears Account No.03-593-299999-001-4 and IBN No.PK06SBPP0035932999990014 for raising funds for the construction of the two dams. Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has formally deposited Rs1 million as a donation in the account from his personal account.
In this connection, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that the armed forces of Pakistan will also contribute for this national cause. “The officers of army, navy and air force will contribute their two days’ pay, while soldiers [will be donating] one day’s pay to the announced fund for this national cause,” read a statement tweeted by Inter-Service Public Relations chief Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor.
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According to the reports of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as well as the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) the country will reach absolute water scarcity by the year 2025.
The UN report also highlights that the most immediate threats would be water availability to the masses and Neil Buhne, UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Pakistan said, “No person in Pakistan, whether from the north with its more than 5,000 glaciers, or from the south with its ‘hyper deserts’, will be immune to this.”
Pakistan is running short of water these days. The debate got more attention when the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took a notice of water crisis in the country and asked authorities about constructing new dams.
Moreover, Pakistan ranks third amongst countries facing water shortages, according to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report.
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Due to lack of political will and proper management of water reservoirs Pakistan has failed to ensure the provision of clean drinking water to a considerable portion of its territory. The CJP has recently said that it was his top priority now to deal with the water crisis. There can be no life without water, the CJP has remarked.
Pakistan’s mainstream political parties generally do not focus on environment or issues which cannot be projected as development. PTI has, however, once again said that if the party is voted into power, the party would strive to ensure the provision of clean drinking water and, above all, around one billion trees will be planted to protect the environment. Pakistan needs to focus on its environmental policy so that natural recourses and environment remain unhurt for the coming generations.