Comprehensive efforts needed to tackle looming water scarcity in Pakistan: president

Islamabad (Pakistan), December 7: Pakistani President Arif Alvi said here on Monday that sustained comprehensive efforts are needed at the national level to tackle looming threat of water scarcity and ensuing food insecurity in Pakistan.
Climate change is the key factor affecting the reliability of water resources across the globe and raising concerns about the future of water availability and food security in countries including Pakistan, the president said while addressing a conference on water management.
"There is a serious threat of water scarcity in Pakistan by 2035 owing to the country's increasing vulnerability to climate change," Alvi said, adding that several areas of Pakistan have already started facing increased water scarcity with a critical need for climate adaptation in the water sector.
He said urgent actions are required for the management of water resources and improved system of water conservation at the national and local levels.
The Pakistani government has made solid progress in achieving key principles defined under the National Water Policy and called for an integrated approach among provinces for its complete implementation.
To address the issue of water management, the president emphasized on the practices to reduce water consumption including drip irrigation, water recycling and reallocating water for more valuable uses.
Source: Xinhua