The tumultuous political
situation of Pakistan since her inception has had a multitude of repercussions
for the nation that manifest from time to time. The massive scale destruction
that the flood has caused and is still in the process of causing even more
damage is among one of those repercussions. Almost every year, rivers swell up
and are flooded with extra amount of water coming from the monsoon rains on one
hand and released by India on the other. A natural calamity, thus increased in
magnitude by interference of the neighbor and archrival takes a heavy toll on
both the people and the economy of Pakistan.
It has been observed that nations across the world, acknowledging the importance
of conserving water as a precious resource, have been building dams and
reservoirs using technology and modern gadgetry to bring about water security
and to curtail the emanating threats of floods. The US has built around 100,000
dams to successfully manage its water while China alone has reduced the water
threat by building 75,000 dams. India, Pakistan’s immediate neighbor and
archenemy holds a strong position in dams as it has built around 4000 dams with
64 projects in the pipeline, many of which were built solely for flood
prevention and the rest for irrigation purposes.
Despite being aware of the fact that Pakistan being the lower riparian is at a
disadvantage and that heavy monsoon showers every year in the summer bring an
unlimited supply of fresh waters that instead of being conserved is wasted after
causing destruction to the catchment regions, only 18 dams and 23 barrages have
been built so far for the purpose of generating electricity and irrigating
agricultural land. This seems to be a rather slow response considering the
destruction created by floods that a regular feature in Pakistan.
Millions of cusecs of fresh, drinkable water that should have been conserved,
keeping in mind the emergency situation of water in the country coupled with
India’s aggressive is being wasted every year. By building more dams and
reservoirs we could have diminished the extent of the devastation caused by the
current flood and been able to save enough water to be used in the next ten
years or more. But it is said that the sins of the parents are often visited
upon the children, and so is the case here. The failures of previous regimes
have been multiplied and thrust upon the
shoulders of the current civilian government. A disaster as the one that
Pakistan is facing just after completion of the first year, where the current
leadership is already facing severe aftereffects of inadequacies of previous
governments such as terrorism, economic degradation, lawlessness, lack of
development, low literacy rate, unemployment, religious extremism, intolerance
and so on.
The government machinery is greatly effective and this fact can be seen from the
great reduction of terror incidents. We are on the road to peace! I don’t think
anybody can deny that. We have seen military operations in previous regimes,
however the gains did not last for very long as the state had no will to do so.
This time round things are different. The terrorists know they cannot mess with
this government and foreign interference has also been reduced considerably in
Pakistan.
It must be noted that progress, in this backdrop is a slow and steady process.
There are no magic wands to wish away the undesirable and bring forth the
desirous. This is not how the real world operates. Having expectations from the
leaders is acceptable, whereas attaching excessive and unjust expectation is a
sure recipe of discontentment and disappointment. Unfortunately, some
politicians and pseudo-leaders of the so called wronged population of this
country are painting pictures of Utopia where everything will be as per their
wishes. Let me tell you that governance is no childs play.
Propaganda against the state apparatus and negative criticism is something that
the leaders have to bear in Pakistan. We are ready to rise above it and stand
for our people in distress. Relief work in the flood hit area is in full swing.
Every activity is personally being monitored by the Prime Minister with standing
order for every party member to look into the affairs. We have taken up the
responsibility and will not shy away from it.
Visiting the flood hit areas and issuing orders to all those involved in relief
work is something that the government is supposed to and is taking its
responsibility to their utmost. The army has been mobilized and their mark can
be seen everywhere. The media has played its role in giving a comprehensive
picture of the magnanimity of the disaster.
Flood relief activities as we know are “at full throttle” in the flood-hit areas
and hundreds of relief camps have been setup to facilitate affectee where they
are being provided shelter, food,
water and medical facilities. The government has released huge funds for this
purpose so that no stone remains unturned while providing support.
There is a dire need to speed up relief work. The magnanimity of the situation
calls for an even gigantic display of generosity, compassion, kindness, honesty
and a lot of patience and perseverance to get the nation back on its feet which
may even take years to achieve. It is time to realize that we have to act very
efficiently and swiftly to avoid yet another disaster that stems from the worst
ever tragedy in the history of Pakistan.
Already the state machinery has been called up, measures taken and instructions
and guidelines given to all relief operators to prevent and divert any further
damage that may be looming in the aftermath as the worst is not yet over. The
situation calls for immediate measures that can minimize the destruction and
provide instant but temporary relief to people, however, long term and permanent
steps will also be taken once the water and the uproar subsides. Building of
dams becomes a necessary decision that everyone needs to come to.
Further, there is a great need to revisit the Indus Water Treaty and bring the
issue of non-compliance of India in front of the International community. The
current regime has always believed in resolution of key and significant issues
such as that of control of water and the Kashmir issue. Since the government has
the will to perform and deliver, just as the issue of terrorism is well on its
way to eradication, so will be all other as I believe the support of the entire
nation is with us. (Ends)