Each discussion on TV is for meeting the shortage of power but no voice is raised for the worsening shortage of water. Already children have died in Thar due to thirst and millions in Karachi are facing daily ordeals in acquiring drinking water. Half of the rural population of Pakistan lacks clean drinking water and is riddled with diseases. KBD is awaiting the attention of the sleeping rulers, to be built, although eminent engineer like Shams-ul-Mulk is on record having said that today people are clamouring for shortage of power, but when shortage of water would hit them they would forget power shortage.
Water is the most basic need for life. To-day a bottle of clean water is costlier than a bottle of soft drink or a bottle of milk or even a liter of petrol. We have ignored water all this time, in not building a large storage. The Water Accord of 1991 that apportioned water between provinces has never been implemented, due to lack of a dam that could store water and also generate dirt cheap power for people of Pakistan. Who is to blame but the past Governments? They have been enjoying musical chairs since past several decades, without worrying for water. While power can even be imported, water can never be imported. We have to depend on our rivers for water but who would plan for water storages?
DR. MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI,
Lahore, July 16.