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Water crises
Pakistan is facing a serious water crisis. Along with the crisis posed by rivers and streams running dry, Pakistan’s alarming depleted groundwater levels have left most parts of the country parched. If this condition prolongs, the country may face water scarcity by 2025, states the PIDE report.
The dismal fact is that the majority of people in Pakistan are unaware about this issue. Francis Bacon has rightly said that ‘knowledge is power’. When people have knowledge about the water crisis, they can better utilize the water and pay attention to water saving in the country. Before elaborating the causes and impacts of the water crisis, let us discuss the current status of water in Pakistan.
The per capita water availability in Pakistan in 2025 will be 860 cubic meters per person against 5600 cubic meters per person in 1947, according to Wealth Pk. The major reliance for water is on Indus River System which is fed by rainfalls and glacial melt. Groundwater supplies 90% of domestic water in rural areas of Pakistan, 70% of domestic water nationally and 50% of agriculture water.
Audrey Hepburn said, “Water is life, and clean water means health.” No one can live without water. All aspects of life directly or indirectly depend on water. From household to health, energy, agriculture and biodiversity as well, water is a fundamental ingredient of life.
The startling fact is that Pakistan has ranked at 14 among 17 extremely high water risk countries of the world, a list that consists of hot and dry countries like Saudi Arabia. There are many factors which play a significant role in the water crisis in Pakistan such as rapid, uncontrolled population growth followed by climate change (which fuels the fire), poor water management, traditional irrigation methods, inefficient infrastructure and water pollution as well. Industries discharge toxic waste without any kind of filtration and the sanitation system is very poor in Pakistan.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Unprepared for Stone Age
We have become dependent on the internet to the extent that if it suddenly disappears we are not ready to live through it. The communication will be impacted badly. Economy will collapse and the society will be under chaos. Most importantly a panic will loom over the society that has now become dependent on the internet for one thing or the other.
We have already experienced the internet issues and observed its consequences in the past few days. Slow internet has caused harm to the tech companies and the free lancers, impacting our economy. Moreover, the people are also irritated by the slow internet for basic use as well. Sending picture or downloading voice notes has become a problem.
Under these circumstances we can only compare the current situation with the Stone Age. But the people in the Stone Age had their own way of survival. Whereas we cannot live well if the internet is not working well. Leave alone competing with others we cannot even support ourselves with slow internet. Thus, the authorities should try to solve this issue as our generation is not ready for the Stone Age.
IFFA NASEER
Rawalpindi
Inflated promises, deflated hopes
I am writing to highlight a critical concern in Pakistan—one that revolves around the nation’s history of ambitious pledges, often followed by widespread disillusionment. Every election cycle, we are promised a better Pakistan—promises of economic revival, social justice and political stability.
Yet, once the excitement of the elections fades, these promises often evaporate, leaving people disappointed. For decades, we have seen selfish individuals gain public trust and ask for votes, only to fall short when confronted with the realities of governance.
The sharp rise in electricity and gas bills, water shortage in some areas and the soaring cost of basic necessities have become unbearable. A person earning a salary of 35,000 to 40,000 PKR cannot afford to pay such extreme bills alongside other household expenses. Pakistan’s GDP growth this year was only 2.4%. Do we not deserve basic necessities like having three meals a day or a fan running in this scorching heat?
Is it too much to ask for such fundamental rights as citizens? When we cannot even secure the right to live decently in our independent country, what is the point of other aspirations? According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, over 700,000 people left Pakistan in 2024 in search of a better future.
TASEER FATIMA
Dera Ismail Khan
