Amir Khan

Experts at a consultative workshop in Islamabad said Pakistan needs to establish an effective network with a focus on mainstreaming the youth to address growing water security concerns. The workshop was organised by International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in partnership with Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Federal Flood Commission (FFC), Ministry of Water Resources, Federal Water Management Cell, and Ministry of National Food Security and Research, according to information available with WealthPK.

In his welcome note, Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Country Representative Pakistan and Regional Representative of Central Asia, IWMI, said Pakistan has the lowest water security in terms of urban, economic, environmental, and other factors linked to the subject. “There is a need to take bold steps to address water scarcity prevailing across the country. We need to build joint commitments to science-based action on water security across policy, development, business, and science constituencies for greater water security,” he emphasised.

Dr Mark Smith, Director General, IWMI, said the latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report on climate change and water showed that climate change is intensifying hydrological water cycle, which means an increase in water risks and extreme floods and droughts.

“Behind our initiative is an underlying question of who to lead this bold step towards water security. The answer to it is that the youth, policymakers, businesses, communities, farmers, conservation organisations, and sectors beyond water will lead this action,” he said.

Dr Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman PCRWR, said Pakistan will face a 30% water shortfall by 2030, whereas at present, over 60% of the country’s population is drinking unclean water. “We are facing groundwater depletion in the capital city of Islamabad at one meter/annum, as groundwater is helping meet our requirements by 60% in agriculture, 90% for drinking purposes, and 100% for the industry. The situation needs to be addressed immediately,” he said.

Simi Kamal, Board Member, IWMI, said water security needed to be looked at from the perspective of how water is used, as up to 90% of our water resources are used in agriculture. She said the youth need to be technology savvy, entrepreneurial, understand the audience, be eager to study and learn new things and work hard to change the world.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk