Government is placing enormous stress on formulating an energy policy at the level of CCI according to which the country would become self-sufficient in energy by the year 2017 in 4 years! There is however no evidence of any plans or formulation of a water policy that would involve construction of mega hydroelectric dam that to operate in the medium term like Kalabagh dam and the utter lack of a workable water policy, which would also usher in generation of dirt cheap energy, has escaped the myopic vision of our leaders. India on the other hand goes ahead at breakneck speed to build hydro-electric dams, ostensibly on run of the river basis but instead it is erecting gates on dams to store water that would disrupt water supplies to Pakistan.
What is needed therefore by our planning wizards is to advise the Prime Minister to go in for a strong and tough water policy that would not only ensure proper storages of our river water to promote our agriculture but also provide us cheap power to run our industry. The vital role of hydro power from dams and storage of water is the panacea for all our woes. The ever declining water resources and ever increasing price of fuel based energy would sooner than later doom our economic survival and pose an existential threat to the country which is written in large words on the wall. Time is of essence and the nation’s patience is wearing thin, they are and not in a mood to wait for a decade or more for promises and the unseen and unknown green pastures. We need Kalabagh to truly meet our urgent needs that cannot brook any further delay.
DR. M. YAQOOB BHATTI,
Lahore, August 1.