Pakistan all times resilient
PAKISTAN came into existence on 14 August 1947 after sacrifices and struggle of Muslims of the subcontinent.
Since its inception, people of Pakistan experienced and witnessed various things like wars, earthquake, terrorism, corona disease and floods.
The country having limited resources has numerous success stories from sports, culture, education, science, technology, IT, agriculture, health and industry.
The reason behind these success stories is youth, intelligence of people, hard work and, above all, unity among people of Pakistan.
We are celebrating diamond jubilee celebrations of our independence, meaning by that we are yet 75 years of age.
If we see in this contest, the nations and countries which are called developed countries took hundreds of years to reach their destiny of development.
The Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with dedicated people who are working day and night and contributing their shares in development and prosperity of the country.
The time has proved that whenever there is a crisis of wars with neighbouring country India, earthquake in 2005 and flood of 2010 as well as current flood, people have supported whole heartedly to the defence forces and affected people leaving behind their differences.
In short, we have learnt a lot from crises, therefore we rose again after all kind of crisis. The country was experiencing financial difficulties but friendly countries supported Pakistan a lot in this regard.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked Pakistan to bring four billion dollars commitments then it will restore its programme.
Friendly countries not only gave funds to Pakistan but also deferred their payments and even gave fuel on deferred payments.
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the combined seventh and eighth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan about one point one (1.1 billion) dollars.
The IMF has also extended fund facility of Pakistan up to six point five (6.5 billion) dollars.
The nation under the leadership of Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif think revival of IMF programme, though critical to our economy, is not an end in itself.
It offers a pathway to reorient our economy. We will have to work hard to make it self-sufficient.
Pakistan must break out of economic straitjacket, which is only possible through structural reforms.
Our players brought smiles on the faces of citizens after they won medals in the Common Wealth games and Islamic games held in the month of August this year.
Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees since 1979 Russia-Afghanistan war.
This is unique example in the world history that Pakistan hosted refugees for more than four decades.
Besides, hosting Afghan brethren, Pakistan convinced world community to assist Afghans as they were facing financial and harsh weather difficulties.
Over thirty point five million people have badly affected by heavy rains and flash flooding in the country and floods have once again wrecked havoc.
Around 1500 lives have been lost and thousands others injured. About one million livestock have swept away.
It is worth mentioning that livestock is the livelihood of people living in Balochistan, South Punjab, Sindh and KP.
Standing crops of cotton, sugar-cane spreading over millions of hectors have also been destroyed due to flooding in the country.
This time too there are long queues of vehicles loaded with relief and rehabilitation items and people are trying their best to reach the affected areas.
Role of some political parties, philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, religious, spiritual scholars and individuals is laudable as they motivated and collected relief and rehabilitation items besides cash assistance for the flood stricken brethren.
In the circumstances mentioned above, it is proposed that embankments should be erected alongside all rivers particularly the River Indus.
The embankments are need of the hour and security of economy.
Water channels can also be constructed after some distances while constructing embankments of the rivers.
It will not only preserve water but also cater surplus water of rains and floods. In this way, goods transportation is easy and cheap.
When we have proper water channelling of the rivers then we can store water, create more canals, produce electricity and for fish breading.
In the recent past, Katchi, Chashma and Rainy canals are best examples and irrigating millions of hectors of land in Balochistan and South Punjab.
Brick lining of canals is also need of the hour. To avoid water shortage, it is must to save water while brick lining of canals in all provinces.
Sir Ganga Ram made good example of producing electricity from canal water at Renala Khurd, District Okara.
In this way, travel distance from the Sea in Karachi to Gilgit-Baltistan and KP will not only reduce but also save Pakistan’s huge money being spent on fuel of trucks carrying goods.
We can also promote tourism through running ferry service in the rivers.
Luckily, the river Indus runs and passes through Gilgit-Baltistan, Kohistan area of KP also joins the River Kabul at Attock district of Punjab and then Sindh and Balochistan provinces.
The rivers of Punjab ie Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Satluj and Beas also join the River Indus at Head Punjnand near District Rahim Yar Khan.
Thus, natural corridors of opportunities that need to be explored and utilized for welfare and betterment of people of Pakistan.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Islamabad.
