THIS is apropos the article `Water scarcity` (May 29). Water is not for life, it is life itself. The above-cited maxim by the Secretary-General of the United Nation depicts the importance of water.
However, Pakistan`s economy is all about its water, as 19.5 per cent of Pakistan`s GDP, 42.3pc of its labour force and other important raw materials are produced by agriculture while power generation is also dependent on water.
The water shortage problems have multiple implications for Pakistan including national security, economic growth and peace, social and political matters.
Pakistan and India signed the Indus Water Treaty in 1960 to resolve waterrelated issues. Sadly, India has time and again tried to monopolise the Indus water Basin. As an upper riparian country, India has constructed several dams on rivers that carry water to Pakistan.
We need to tell India in clear terms that it cannot misappropriate Pakistan`s water.
At the same time, Islamabad needs to show speed in forging consensus to build creating new storage f acilities.
