Pakistan is among the countries in the world that is suffering
from acute water shortage, as ground-water resources along with
per capita consumption of water are depleting fast. In an
exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, US State
Department’s Special Coordinator for Water Resources, Bureau of
Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Dr
Aaron Salzberg said that there were genuine fears that unless a
national water policy was jointly formulated in consultation
with all the provinces, the country will face economic and
social consequences. Salzberg is holding talks with the federal
and provincial governments, along with other stakeholders,
stressing the need to manage water resources. “I have been told
that there are places in the country where the water table has
depleted by as much as 800 feet and lands are barren due to
water-logging and salinity. The situation in Pakistan clearly
calls for management of available water resources and crafting a
strategy that could ensure water c