CAN you imagine waking up to meet critical deadlines, only to find out that there’s no water in your city? You’d abandon your deadlines and crave access to water, even if it meant leaving the city permanently. Our existence is supported by water. It serves as both a fuel and a lifeline for humans. Without sufficient water, humans cannot even think of surviving a few days. Water is essential in all domains of life, unlike other natural resources. Due to its use for drinking, water is considered a valuable resource. Households make use of water as well. A day without a water supply at home is unbearable for humans. An ample water supply is crucial to the industrial sector. The agricultural industry, responsible for feeding and supporting millions, relies entirely on a consistent water supply for producing crops.
Today, the water crisis has become a real monster. Water scarcity is a growing concern worldwide, and developing countries will bear the brunt of its worst effects. According to a report from the Water Resource Institute, India and Pakistan may experience extreme water stress by 2040. A doomsday awaits both nuclear countries in this scenario. India’s planned dams on water tributaries may turn water stress into a nightmare for Pakistan’s bread basket. Pakistan’s water situation may deteriorate further, not just due to its poor availability but also due to a multitude of other factors. People are not aware of the wise usage of water. Many people waste the precious resource of water due to lack of education. The people of the state have not yet grasped the concept of water conservation. Due to the lack of awareness regarding water conservation, people unintentionally waste water which leads to pressure on fresh water resources, particularly in urban areas.
Moreover, the agricultural industry still employs irrigation methods that are several decades old. Poor and unplanned water distribution leads to water waste and negatively affects agricultural productivity. The situation is worrisome because future water scarcity could hinder food production in the already struggling agricultural sector. The majority of industries in Pakistan’s industrial sector do not use modern water conservation techniques despite the significant amount of water they consume. Additionally, industrial waste contaminates the existing natural sources of clean water, worsening the situation. Pakistan’s poor economic performance makes it hard to invest in alternative water sources if water becomes scarce for the population. Pakistan may face difficulties in investing in new water technologies to expand freshwater supplies. Techniques like desalination, which are modern, are still not cost-effective for removing salt from seawater. Likewise, other means of creating and preserving freshwater reserves, such as aquifer water extraction, necessitate significant investment.
These factors paint a gloomy picture of Pakistan’s water availability in the near future. The social and economic consequences of water scarcity would be devastating for the state. Pakistan will face insurmountable internal and external challenges if it fails to come up with a solid plan to avoid this crisis. The water crisis has been causing a lot of friction among the provinces, leading to a sense of disintegration in the country. Additionally, social resentment could be the final outcome if this crisis worsens. When only a small percentage of people hold all the power and resources in a social structure, chaos ensues. If water becomes scarce in the future, the affluent and resourceful class will have an advantage in surviving which could lead to resentment among those who are affected by the crisis. Our society is unable to handle the social stress that could endanger people’s survival, so we cannot afford this.
The scarcity of water will have a significant impact on agricultural productivity, causing an increase in the prices of commodities and food items. The social agony and crisis will be exacerbated by the inflation surge. Furthermore, our industrial sector can’t bear the brunt of a water crisis. Our industrial sector, which has already been struggling due to the energy crisis, will be severely impacted by the impending water crisis. The risk of external threats from our immediate neighbours is high in this situation. It is the worst-case scenario for a state to rely on its neighbouring country for water supply. Pakistan must act swiftly to emerge victorious in the race against time. The water crisis is like a ticking time bomb that threatens the country’s internal and external security. Water education is crucial right now. The initial step in the right direction is to educate people on water conservation. Water education can be effectively spread by the media. Water conservation can be the solution to the nation’s problems and aid the government in managing future crises. To navigate through difficult times, a country needs a responsible and responsive citizenry.
Additionally, it is crucial for the citizens of the nation, particularly political parties, to agree on constructing more water conservation spaces, such as big and small dams. The implementation of this model needs to be taken seriously at the federal and provincial levels. A joint effort by both federal and provincial governments is necessary to solve this emerging crisis. The only way to conserve water is through modern agricultural and industrial patterns. To conserve water, drip irrigation is compulsory in agriculture, while water purification and recycling plants are necessary in industrial sectors. Pakistan must also recover economically, as ideas without funding are mere hallucinations. Pakistan needs substantial investment to shield its people from the grasp of the water crisis, in addition to executing the proposed measures.
Pakistan should establish an inclusive society where all groups have equal access to water. It’s essential to build internal strength to fight against this threat. Many South Asian nations, including Pakistan, are facing an existential threat due to the real danger of a water crisis. It’s time to take action for the betterment of our nation’s future. Failing to improve their situation could lead Pakistan towards a future of water scarcity, leaving future generations vulnerable. Is it right to condemn future generations to a dismal future due to the water crisis? Absolutely not, that’s the answer.
—The writer is CSS Officer, based in Sargodha.
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