By Ayesha Saba ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (INP-WealthPK): Due to growing population, the problem of freshwater shortage is becoming worrisome in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, which may face absolute water scarcity by 2040. According to the World Resource Institute (WRI), Pakistan ranks amongst the top five countries which are confronted with severe water stress and poor availability of sanitation and safe drinking water. Amongst Pakistan’s provinces, Balochistan faces the greatest risk posed by water crisis in the country. Pakistan’s largest province is least urbanised as compared to the rest of the country. It is situated in the desert belt, the climate is arid to semi-arid with low rainfall, dry winds, cold winters and hot summers. Most of the population lives in rural areas and with the passage of time, water resources are being over-exploited, especially in urban areas, and groundwater levels are sinking. In order to secure the future of millions of residents, the water crisis has to be brought on top of the provincial and central governments’ agenda. Recently, the Balochistan government decided to launch numerous projects in the coastal town of Gwadar with a budget of more than Rs130 billion. Efforts were also made to arrange fresh water treatment, water supply and distribution, as per an official statement. These projects will cater to future water demand and sewage disposal systems in Gwadar required for deep sea port, its associated industry, and the city itself. Gwadar holds pivotal importance in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a hub of connectivity. Gwadar is a big part of CPEC, and through its deep-sea port, it will benefit not only China and Pakistan but also the entire Central Asia by becoming the region’s key entrepot. Investment will be made into infrastructure projects worth $1.153 billion in the city as part of CPEC, with the aim of linking northern Pakistan and western China to the deep-water seaport. In addition to direct CPEC investments in Gwadar city, the China Overseas Port Holding Company began development on the $2 billion Gwadar Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in June 2016, which is modelled after China's SEZs. Scarcity of water is emerging as one of the most pressing concerns for Pakistan. To reap the benefit from water resources, the entire water chain of Pakistan requires fundamental adjustments, and a sound national water policy need to be introduced about the framework for balanced socio-economic development, management, and conservation of the country’s water resources. Political leadership should actively take up the water cause, improving agricultural water use efficiency, maintaining and upgrading existing water infrastructure, depoliticising water management, raising community awareness about water conservation and water rights. The general public and the provincial authorities must pay immediate and special attention to careful and efficient use of available resources.