Hydro Politics in Pakistan: A Challenge to the National Unity
By: Salahuddin Bhutto Pakistan has one of the largest canal irrigation systems in the world, ironically, the country lacks an effective water management system. The per capita availability of water, has dropped to 1000 cubic meters, from 5650 cubic meters, per person, since inception. This study aimed to identify the causes and consequences of water shortage in Pakistan and suggests they ways to cope water crisis. The research identified three sets of issue are responsible for present water crisis. First is, irregular rain falls due to climate change, secondly, high handedness of the eastern and western neighbors over international water reservoir regulations. Lastly, domestic causes such as inadequate water storage infrastructure, political conspiracies against the construction of new dams, deteriorating condition of existing irrigation system, extravagant use of water, by agriculturists, industrialists, and households, and the widely accepted norm of dumping waste into water. ...