Water crisis had taken a serious turn with the beginning of hot summer days in all parts of Balochistan where people are agitating against the water famine by taking out processions and holding rallies.

Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Alauddin Marri Claim and said that the province is facing the worst kind of water shortage as Sindh has stopped 70 per cent of “our water” supply.

The water level in dams has been decreasing rapidly but governments haven’t planned any new dams to store rainwater.

On artificial rain in Balochistan, he said, “In the modern world people have been meeting their water needs through artificial rain.

The previous government had signed an agreement with a Russian company to shower artificial rain in drought-hit areas of the province, but unfortunately the file went into the hands of the bureaucrats.”

It is pertinent to mention that the Balochistan government has not cleared its previous dues for the supply of water from Sindh.

Drought and a sharp drop in sea level are posing a serious threat in Balochistan.

Experts have warned that if dams are not built and ground water recharged, the province will turn into a desert.

A half century ago, water could be seen flowing in the streams and coasts of the province. Water could be found upon digging a mere 20 feet to 25 feet into the ground.

However, the situation is very different now.

The government installed a large number of tube wells but did not build any dams nor take action against illegal drilling.

Currently, over 6,000 tube wells are lifting water from districts across the province. In addition to this, drought and an increase in population have exacerbated the problem of water scarcity.

Drought coupled with a drop of 2,000 feet in sea level has destroyed agricultural lands across the province. Meanwhile, residents of Quetta and Gwadar do not even have water to drink.

There are two major canals in the Kachhi Plains and the Government could have easily providing drinking water to the townships and human settlements close to Pat Feeder and Kirthar Canal.

First of all, the Government of Balochistan should ensure that there is no stealing of canal water by the powerful and influential people and at the same time should prepare plans for supplying drinking water to the human settlements from the canal system of Naseerabad Division.

Besides this, the sub-soil water is available in some parts of Naseerabad, Sibi and Kachhi Plains which should be used for uninterrupted supply of drinking water to the local people.

There is a technology available to establish desalination plant and water purification plans to ensure clean water supply even remote corners of Balochistan.

There are more than half a dozen major rivers flowing close to the Mekran Coast on the Pakistani side and they had the potentials to provide needed fresh water to the local residents, including for business, commerce and industry if medium size dams or water storage facilities are developed right from Karachi to Jiwani.

Bulk of the development budget should be used in building quality roads connecting cities, developing water resources and financing productive projects in Mines and Minerals, Livestock, fisheries and agrWorst water crisis in Balochistan

Water crisis had taken a serious turn with the beginning of hot summer days in all parts of Balochistan where people are agitating against the water famine by taking out processions and holding rallies.

Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Alauddin Marri Claim and said that the province is facing the worst kind of water shortage as Sindh has stopped 70 per cent of “our water” supply.

The water level in dams has been decreasing rapidly but governments haven’t planned any new dams to store rainwater.

On artificial rain in Balochistan, he said, “In the modern world people have been meeting their water needs through artificial rain. The previous government had signed an agreement with a Russian company to shower artificial rain in drought-hit areas of the province, but unfortunately the file went into the hands of the bureaucrats.”

It is pertinent to mention that the Balochistan government has not cleared its previous dues for the supply of water from Sindh.

Drought and a sharp drop in sea level are posing a serious threat in Balochistan.

Experts have warned that if dams are not built and ground water recharged, the province will turn into a desert.

A half century ago, water could be seen flowing in the streams and coasts of the province. Water could be found upon digging a mere 20 feet to 25 feet into the ground.

However, the situation is very different now.

The government installed a large number of tube wells but did not build any dams nor take action against illegal drilling.

Currently, over 6,000 tube wells are lifting water from districts across the province. In addition to this, drought and an increase in population have exacerbated the problem of water scarcity.

Drought coupled with a drop of 2,000 feet in sea level has destroyed agricultural lands across the province. Meanwhile, residents of Quetta and Gwadar do not even have water to drink.

There are two major canals in the Kachhi Plains and the Government could have easily providing drinking water to the townships and human settlements close to Pat Feeder and Kirthar Canal.

First of all, the Government of Balochistan should ensure that there is no stealing of canal water by the powerful and influential people and at the same time should prepare plans for supplying drinking water to the human settlements from the canal system of Naseerabad Division.

Besides this, the sub-soil water is available in some parts of Naseerabad, Sibi and Kachhi Plains which should be used for uninterrupted supply of drinking water to the local people.

There is a technology available to establish desalination plant and water purification plans to ensure clean water supply even remote corners of Balochistan.

There are more than half a dozen major rivers flowing close to the Mekran Coast on the Pakistani side and they had the potentials to provide needed fresh water to the local residents, including for business, commerce and industry if medium size dams or water storage facilities are developed right from Karachi to Jiwani.

Bulk of the development budget should be used in building quality roads connecting cities, developing water resources and financing productive projects in Mines and Minerals, Livestock, fisheries and agriculture.

More than 80 per cent population of the Baloch Mainland is engaged in these four productive sectors of Mines, Livestock, Fisheries and Agriculture. They are the ignored sector for the Provincial Planning and Development department.

They are discriminated and ignored for more than half a century. A Mafia is controlling the resources and it is opposed to development of the potential and productive economic sectors.
iculture. More than 80 per cent population of the Baloch Mainland is engaged in these four productive sectors of Mines, Livestock, Fisheries and Agriculture. They are the ignored sector for the Provincial Planning and Development department.

They are discriminated and ignored for more than half a century. A Mafia is controlling the resources and it is opposed to development of the potential and productive economic sectors.