STAFF REPORT IBD: The gradual increase in water scarcity is likely to cause a drought situation in the country by 2025 if immediate steps are not taken to improve the storage and conservation capacity.


“Pakistan is among the few countries worst hit by water shortage and we are fast moving towards drought conditions,” Water and Power Secretary Saifullah Chattha warned during a presentation to the first meeting of the newly formed NA Standing Committee on Water and Power headed by Arshad Khan Laghari.


“Unless storage and conservation capabilities are increased Pakistan will be facing drought. The country will have to develop additional storage capacity on an urgent basis,” he said.


According to him, the quality of Thar coal is no more an issue because technology is available to utilise it. India was currently producing 4,500MW of electricity from coal of a similar quality and heat content, he said, adding that the real issue was non-availability of investment.


Chattha also informed the committee that China had offered to provide 3,500MW through the Khunjrab Pass. It is currently in the initial processing stage while the government is actively pursuing 1000-CASA (Central Asia South Asia project) because $1.2 billion funding arrangements were already in place, he said.

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