By Zabih Ullah Khattak (Pakistan)
Water crisis is not a distant issue, but it looms on our heads and will deteriorate in the near future if timely action and prevention could not be taken. Climate crisis is now becoming a street talk and everyone took it as a serious concern that could have detrimental consequences.
In KP, the Northern areas are more or less likely to get water share, but a largely ignorant part of this province is the southern part where the climatic disaster is felt more frequently. Onward Karak up to DI Khan a large swath of minerals are present and the lands are enormously fertile but due to the dearth of water resources these lands never yield desired and expected results for decades.
In this unprecedented climate hit areas, they are begging for survival because there is no such water flow which could water a large area of these lands and they are looking for rain which unexpectedly changed its pouring calendar. The flood in 2022, added more fuel to the existing situation when unplanned and ill-equipped citizens were hit by the flood and ruined their standing crops and building infrastructure.
Despite the presence of enormous mineral resources, these areas never took to the spotlight of our policy makers. Moreover, the author’s home district Karak where the most expensive minerals like uranium, gas and petrol are present is languishing with the unavailability of basic needs of life like water, food and electricity.
Adding to that, the people of Karak still lingering with the demands of water, electricity and gas during the time of election. For years of disparity, there is no respite in the sight. In my own village where people are dependent on tube well water, they still fight over this natural liquid which is a universal need of every species.
Although the climatic consequence is felt across the globe, but there are some areas where the direct disastrous implication is felt. Adding to that, the drought-like situation in the southern part of KP speaks volumes that no one takes it seriously. In KP, for over 14 years, the PTI has been in power but nothing substantial has been done to overcome the water crisis in the southern part of KP. The people of these areas are largely concise to their petty interests and won’t bring forth collective demands to reduce the scarcity of water and still they don’t feel the bitter smell of water scarcity.
A broader study by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) found that 45%of water samples from four districts of KP were unsafe. It means, half of our population are drinking unhygienic water that poses real healthcare issues. From Kohat up to Mansehra we found some flow in the shape of rivers which could water their areas but the lower built of KP, a single river can’t be found which can reduce the water scarcity and there is no concept of river water for crops as they only wait for rain but the situation reached to the unprecedented level where the blessing of rain seems unfriendly with them and they are left with no other option to cultivate their crops.
The dire situation is becoming even grimmer if provincial as well as the federal government do not take timely action. The time is not far away when a large area of fertile lands will be lifted uncultivated due to lack of water and the people of these areas will relinquish with no other option but to leave because water is a lifeline for ever living things.
In conclusion, I would suggest that the government shall not work for them in charity but use the concern district resources to get fix the water problem as we knew that a whopping amount is coming for Karak as in the return of royalty fund but several mouths to be filled. The Tradition of unfair play should end and the orphaned districts of KP shall give their due rights of water. Delaying the action meaning denying the right because climate change doesn’t wait for us to be prepared but will hit and being hitting us without any timely indication. It is predicted that in the coming five years the water depletion will reach record low because there is no stored water that could uptick the water level. In Karak, if we build a few dams in which only the rain water can store the situation will be better enough and the water problem will be fixed for many areas but who will dare to work for those who are still unaware of their rights and still relies on the slogan of zindabad and Mordabad and supporting parties on the basis of ethnic rivalries instead of reforms. The government and all other stakeholder turn their attention to these areas and recover a large part of KP for fertility.
