Experts Warn of Looming Water Crisis in Pakistan

News Desk 

Multan: Leading experts on Friday emphasized the critical significance of water and energy, asserting that they are fundamental to the survival of nations.

They stressed the necessity of global discourse on water-related issues, highlighting its indispensable role not only in sustaining life but also in preserving human health.

The celebration of World Water Day serves the crucial purpose of enhancing public awareness about the importance of water resources.

Speaking at an awareness walk, Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed Rajwana of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture (MNSUA) underscored the vital role of water in our existence, cautioning that its scarcity could lead to dire consequences worldwide, making life devoid of meaning. 

He noted that the issue of water scarcity is becoming increasingly serious, with 71 percent of the Earth’s surface covered by water and 29 percent by dry land. 

 Dr Tanveer ul Haq, Chairman of the Environmental Sciences Department, highlighted that Pakistan’s water conservation capacity lags behind other nations, attributing the country’s chronic water scarcity to inadequate storage capabilities.

The absence of national-level planning poses a significant risk, potentially exacerbating Pakistan’s water woes.

Dr Alamgir Akhtar Khan, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, stressed the critical nature of water and energy challenges, describing them as matters of life and death for the nation. He lamented the underutilization of Pakistan’s hydroelectric potential, with only 8,000 megawatts currently being generated compared to a capacity of 40,000 megawatts.

Dr Khan emphasized the global imperative of water conservation, noting its importance not only for sustaining life but also for fostering economic prosperity.