Roundtable Discussion on “Water Security: Issues/Way Forward on Aggression and Conservation”

On 13th November 2018, CGSS organized a Roundtable Discussion Session on “Water Security: Issues/Way Forward on Aggression and Conservation”, at the Islamabad Club, Islamabad as a follow up to the conference on the aforementioned subject. More than fifty water security experts shared their ideas on the looming water crisis in Pakistan and also gave suggestive recommendations to mitigate the challenges and to devise policy framework.
The security experts provide their valuable insight for the mitigation of this ongoing water issues in Pakistan. According to them we need to take more practicable steps. Indus Water Treaty point controversial as Pakistan could have had a better more holistic deal. Pakistan should develop legal challenge by gathering legal experts and taking its case to International Court of Justice (ICJ).
It was mentioned that Pakistan is lacking in its implementation phase. In all our policies we go till the planning phase but not the implementation part. Pakistan is in need to make small dams instead of being obsessed with the big dams only. The country has potential to make small to medium size dams. Small dams could be built by private sector and the investors should be incentivized.
Furthermore, the experts suggested that, rain water harvesting must be introduced at the household level both in urban and rural areas. Flood irrigation is a criminal act that is still being practiced in Pakistan. Improve irrigation methods and crop zoning. Navigation industry and water parks are promising and can alleviate flooding. There is a need to reuse water in houses like the water used in our kitchens can be reused in our toilets. Enhance the capacity building at all the levels for instance, awareness campaigns particularly at educational institutions.
The experts were of the view that the Government should bring all stakeholders together to implement effective policy to overcome this persisting issue. The roundtable discussion was attended by 60 experts from all over Pakistan.