ESSAY ON WATER & ENERGY CRISIS IN PAKISTAN

1. INTRODUCTION:
Water is precious, use it wisely says a notice placed in the bathroom of a five star hotel in
Karachi. There could not be a sounder piece of advice but it should be given not only to the
guests of the five star hotels but also to the entire citizenry of Pakistan. Pakistan is rapidly
moving to the situation when it will begin to be ranked among the countries that have
severe shortages of fresh water. Wise use of this precious resource is one way of dealing
with this crisis.
Man is a pre-eminently an animal good at gadgets. Man uses water much in the same way
as other animals; he has to drink it constantly, washes in it frequently, and drowns in it
occasionally probably oftener than other terrestrial vertebrates. Without water, he dies as
miserably as any other beast and with too much of it, as in floods, he is equally unable to
cope. However, he excels other animals in that he has learned to utilize waterpower.
There are three basic uses of water in the modern civilization agriculture, industry and
human consumption. Using water wisely in these three uses is one way of saving the
country from economic and social disaster.
Water is one of the most important natural resource and the major driving force for the
economy of Pakistan. Only a few decades ago, Pakistan was considered to have abundance
of good quality water. Now, however, in many other area of the world, population growth,
economic development, rapid urbanization and industrialization, are applying continuous
pressure on the already limited water resources of Pakistan.
Pakistan is now towards a serious shortage of water. In 1951, per capita surface water
availability for irrigation was estimated at 5650 cubic metres; this declined sharply to only
1350 cubic metres per head in 2002. The minimum amount that should be available is 1000
cubic metres. 2012, Pakistan will have reached the stage of acute water shortage.
2. CURRENT SITUATION IN PAKISTAN:
3. WORLD BANK REPORT:
Pakistan has exhausted its current water capability and needs to take immediate measure
to sustain its water-driven economy.
Pakistan only stores 30 days of river water. India stores 120 to 220 days, Colorado River
in the US stores 900 days.
Pakistans per capita water storage is just 150 cubic meters while that of China is 2200,
Australia 5000 and the US is 5000.
Pakistans economy can only be propelled into future only through building new water
projects and canals.
4. WATER VISION 2016:
President Musharraf said,
Water and energy are matters of life and death for us. We have to build all dams. We have
lagged far behind and have to work at a fast pace to catch up with the rest of the world.
We are facing an existing water shortage by 9 million-acre feet and by 2020 this short fall
will be up to 20 maf. Constructing two to three dams is inevitable for us by the year 2020.
By building mega water reservoirs our canals will become perennial and no longer be
seasonal. New reservoirs will generate 10000 mw of power, which would certainly bring
down the rate of electricity. One dam will bring an additional 2 maf of water to Sindh, two
dams will fetch 4 maf and another dam will bring water equal to storage capacity of Mangla
Dam.
Apart from Diamer-Bhasha and Kalabagh, the water vision envisages construction of Akori,
Munda and Kuram Tungi Dams by the year 2016.
5. NEED FOR THE DAMS:
Tariq Hameed, Chairman Wapda says,

Pakistan is fortunate that nature has bestowed it with abundant water reservoirs. It is now
up to us to harness these resources for the economic development and prosperity of the
people of Pakistan.
1) Presently, out of total cultivable land of 77.1 million acres, we are only cultivating 54.5
million acres because of shortage of water.
2) With the increase in population, Pakistan will have a shortfall of 11 million tons of major
food grains by 2010 and 16 million tons by 2020. This food grain deficit will increase to 28
million tons by 2025.
3) High power tariff burdening consumers can be reduced by correcting hydel-thermal
generation ratio of 30-70, which used to be the opposite in 1970.
4) Only 14 % of Pakistans total hydropower potential of 50,000 mw being tapped at
present.
5) Average hydel generation unit cost for new projects is Rs. 1.00/KWH against Rs.
7.00/KWH for new oil based thermal generation.
6) Pakistans electricity demand and increasing by 7 % per annum.
7) Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistans economy; 23.3 % of GDP.
8) 64 % Pakistanis depend on agriculture.
9) 60-70 % of exports depend on it.
10) Pakistan today is among one of the worlds fastest growing populations now estimated
at over 150 million. Due to the lack of large river regulation capability through sizable
storages, the country is facing serious shortages in food grains. Given the present trend,
Pakistan could soon become one of the food deficit countries in the near future. Therefore,
there is a dire need to build storages for augmenting agriculture production. Tarbela,
Mangla and Chashma reservoirs have already lost about 5 maf due to sedimentation. It is
estimated that by the year 2012, this loss would increase to the original combined capacity
of Mangla and Chashma reservoirs.
11) Industrial expansion and growth essential for economic development and prosperity.
12) It will provide the better clean environment for the human beings.
13) Reduction in barren lands.
14) To control flooding and manage rivers.
15) The completion by India of Wuller, Buglihar and Krishenganga, Uri-11 Pakaldul and
Burser projects on the western rivers of Indus, Jehlum and Chenab to which Pakistan has
the exclusive right according to the 1960 Indus Basin Water Treaty, will also create serious
water shortage.
6. NEED FOR RESERVOIRS:
1) Hydropower Generation
High power tariff, which is a burden on consumer, can be reduced by correcting hydel
thermal generation ratio of 30-70, which used to be the opposite in 1970. Only 40% of
Pakistans total hydro power potential of 50000MW is being tapped at present. Average
hydel generation cost for new projects is Rs 1.007/Kwh as against Rs 7/Kwh for new oil
base thermal generation. Pakistans electricity demands are increasing by 7% per annum.
Saving import of fuel for thermal power plants reduce cost of electrically i.e. Rs1/Kwh.
Electrification of industries of towns and villages. Reduces cost of electricity help
manufacturers.
2) Agriculture
Agriculture forms the backbone of Pakistans economy. 23.3% of GDP, 64% Pakistanis
depend directly on agriculture. 60-70% exports depend on it. Water is a life line for
agriculture. Average rainfall of Pakistan is below Avg. Thus, water storage is needed for
agriculture as it is a precious resource and we should not waste a drop of it.
Out of Pakistan total geographical area only 17.1Macre is suitable for agriculture. A total of
44.4Macres of agriculture land is irrigated besides only 10Macres Barani land under
cultivation. If water is available the remaining 22.6Macres of land(29% of total suitable area

for agriculture) can turn productive if no additional water is tapped. It means that 1/3 of
agriculture potential will remain untapped.
3) Industry
4) Drinking Water And Sanitation
Pakistans population is increasing by over 2% per year requiring availability of more clean
drinking water. Cities, towns, Villages expanding requiring more water for sanitation
purposes.
Implementation of clean drinking water schemes possible with availability of more water.
5) Environment
Better clean environment for humans. Reduction in barren land. Controlled rivers and
canals.
More land area under cultivation, greenery and habitation to improve better water
management and cleanliness. More forests and eco system preservation and flood control.
7. KALABAGH DAM:
Public feeling that were running high on the Kalabagh dam issue have mercifully calmed
down. The president made a sensible move by announcing a change in the order of the
dams to be built.
The dam site is located 210 Km downstream of Tarbela and 26 Km upstream of Jinnah
Barrage on the Indus. When completed, the rock fill dam will rise to a height of 260 feet and
will be 4375 feet long. It will create a reservoir with usable storage capacity of 6.1 maf. The
entire project is estimated to cost $ 6.1 billion and will take 6 years to complete.
ROLE:
Replacing storage lost by sedimentation in existing reservoirs at Mangla, Chasma and
Tarbela and proving additional storage of water to meet existing water storages during early
Kharif period of April/June. (Particularly critical for cotton crop in Sindh).
Providing effective regulations of Indus River to meet Kharif allocation of provinces under
WAA1991.
To control flood in the Indus to enable provisions of perennial tube well irrigation to the
revering area in Sindh.
Generation of Hydroelectric power at low cost.
Reducing dependence on imported fuel, saving foreign exchange.
I. Reservations of Sindh:
1) No surplus water is available for storage.
2) There is the fear that there is not enough water in the Indus for these mega projects to
be used optimally i.e. there would be no surplus water to fill Kalabagh reservoir.
3) The project would render Sindh into a desert.
4) Sindhs water supply which is already at low level will be reduced further since the
regulation of the flow of the river might enable the upper riparian to take away more of the
water and thus starve the lower riparian of irrigation for its agriculture (Sindh is the lower
riparian).
5) Sindhs worries about possible environmental problems. Its coastal area, which has
suffered as a result of SEA water moving unto the KOTRI, need to minimum 3.6MAF of
water escapade per annum in the INDUS to offset the negative ecological impact on the
river DELTA. Sindh fears that:
Sea water intrusion in Indus estuary would increase. Mangrove forest, which is already
threatened, would be further affected adversely. Fish production, drinking water supply
below KOTRI would be adversely affected.
CRITICISM:
According to experts, these apprehensions are baseless and the real issue is that of politics.
Dams dont consume water. They store water during floods and make it available for crops
demand bases for the dry period.

 The share of water would be strictly governed by WAA1991.

Mangrove forests cover area of almost 0.32MA. In the forest spreading from Karachi in the
west to the Rann of Kutch in east, 95% of forest population consists of a SALT TOLERANT
variety.
Similarly, a recent study has shown that instead of reduction fish production has
increased. Moreover, downstream to KOTRI barrage, ground water id saline or brackish not
suitable for irrigation or drinking. After KBD there would be drinking water available.
II. Reservations of Balochistan:
1) The supply of water from Indus, through the Pat Feeder canal, may be curtailed.
III. Reservations of NWFP:
1) It will flood Noshera and lot of fertile areas will be waterlogged, besides displacing a large
no of people.
2) It will displace 42000 people.
3) There would be water logging and salinity in Mardan, Pabbi and Swabi.
4) It is also feared that historic flooding of Peshawar Valley including Nowshera would be
aggravated in the event of recurrence of 1929 record flood.
CRITICISM:
Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi has altitude higher than that of KBD (915 feet above sea
level). Thus KBD would not result in flooding or water logging /salinity. Mardan, Pabbi and
Swabi are at 970-962-1000ft above MSL (Mean Sea Level)
Total cultivable land submerged would be 27500 Acres (24500 in the Punjab and 3000Acrs
in NWFP). Thus submerged irrigated land would be only 3000Acres (2900 Acres in Punjab
and 100Acres in NWFP.
As far as the displacement of people is concerned the people have in their minds the
problems faced after the construction of Tarbela new model village should be constructed to
resettle the effected families with facilities of water supply, electricity, roads, dispensaries,
schools etc.
8. DIAMER BASHA DAM:
The project is located on Indus River, about 315 Km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 Km
downstream of Gilgit and 40 Km downstream of Chilas. The dam would have a maximum
height of 270meters and impound a reservoir of about 7.4 maf, with live storage of more
than 6.4 maf. Mean annual discharge of Indus River at the site is 50 maf. The dam will
impound 15 % of the annual river flow. The dam project would cover an area of 110 Km
and extend 100 Km upstream of the dam site up to Raikot Bridge on Karakoram highway.
The estimate cost is $ 6.5 billion. It will affect 30 villages and 2200 houses. It will also affect
22000 people. The total area under reservoir will be 25000 acre and it will generate 16500
Gwh/ year.
Benefits:
1) Availability of 6.5MAF annual surface water storage to supplement irrigation supplies
during low flow periods.
2) Clean and cheap energy through 4500 MW generations.
3) Deduction of dependence on thermal power thus, saving foreign exchange.
4) Employment opportunity, particularly to the locals, during the construction and
operations.
5) Creation of masses infrastructure leading to overall socioeconomic uplift of the area and
standard of living of people.
6) Flood control.
9. CONCLUSION:
The government has drawn up a 25-year plan (2005-2030) for increasing energy
production in the country. That is needed to meet the demand for energy which is
increasing by ten to twelve per cent annually, says Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. That is one
of the major development plans.

 The energy development plan is accompanied by initial cost estimates which will be $37
billion to $40 billion that has to come in the form of foreign aid or foreign investment. And
that is a very large sum. But the annual average expenditure works out to $1.5 billion. If
Pakistan itself was to make the investment, the total cost might be less.
Disclosing the details of the 25-year energy augmentation plan Shaukat Aziz says
consumption of power in Pakistan will increase seven fold by 2030 and the energy needs will
increase by eight fold.
Malthus stated that in the race between increasing population and increasing production,
population must eventually win. Those of us who decline to accept this pessimistic view
recognize the difficulty of the practical problem of meeting the needs of an ever-expanding
population.
The present government needs to be appreciated that it has ended the dead lock wit
inauguration of Diamer Basha Dam. It is hoped that Govt. would make an effort to remove
the apprehensions the provinces and construct other dams too.
There should be public consensus on national issue and to look into the matters with
contempt as enemies are working against the prosperous future of Pakistan. We as a nation
need to unite as one to defeat their nefarious aims.