Thousands have lived without love, not one without water. – W. H. Auden

As we all know, no living being can survive without water. It is the most essential thing for not only human beings, but for plants, animals and our planet in general. However, the whole world is facing a water crisis today. It is not because of the shortage of water, but of mismanagement of it. Because of it, billions of people are without clean water. Pakistan is also among these countries. But we have a solution to this problem – Kalabagh dam.

Water Crisis in Pakistan

According to the recent International Monetary Fund report, Pakistan ranks third among the countries facing water shortage. It is a scarier threat than terrorism. With the increase in population, we need more water. Instead, the water levels in Tarbela and Mangla dams have hit the dead level because of no heavy rains. According to a report, Punjab and Sindh are facing 60 percent of water shortage. Since the agriculture is the backbone of our country, the shortage of water can lead to famine.

The prolonged drought is not the only reason for this water shortage.

Pakistan is the fourth highest rated country among water users. Due to lack of water storage facilities, most of the water gets wasted. In an interview, a spokesman for the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), Muhammad Khalid Rana said,

“We have only two big reservoirs and we can save water only for 30 days. India can store water for 190 days whereas the US can do it for 900 days.”

He also said,

“Pakistan receives around 145 million acre-feet of water every year but can only save 13.7 million acre-feet. Pakistan needs 40 million acre-feet of water but 29 million acre-feet of our floodwater is wasted because we have few dams.”

The only solution to this water crisis in Kalabagh Dam.

Although the construction of Kalabagh dam was chalked out in 1954, it is still one of the most controversial topics in Pakistan. Due to corrupt politicians and unnecessary disputes, this project cannot move ahead. Mainly, KPK and Sindh are against this project. Former KPK Chief Minister, Shamsul Mulk, stated,

 “Kalabagh Dam would be helpful in erasing poverty from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, as it would irrigate 800,000 acres of cultivable land that is located 100–150 feet above the level of River Indus.”

If Kalabagh dam is constructed, it can produce 3600 megawatts of electricity. In addition to that,  provide 6.5 million acre-feet of water to cultivate seven million acres of currently barren land.

Clearly, Pakistanis have given up hope on politicians and have decided to take matters in their own hands.

Since these corrupt and money hungry politicians cannot do anything about the water crisis, we will have to. The #IcanDonate1000RsForkalabaghDam is trending on Twitter right now. It is a clear indication that we will not sit back and watch.

I m willing…. Please spread the message if u r👍 #Icandonate1000RsForkalabaghDam pic.twitter.com/PspNUTxur1

— sadaf786 (@sadafrafique789) June 7, 2018

Imagine, if we all pool in and make this happen.

IMO, People would be willing to give Rs 1000 for Kalabagh Dam, multiply that by 22 Caror people. We could make history by building a dam from public donation without any loans.
Please Spread the new hash tag if ur willing to donate for KBD. #IcanDonate1000RsForKalaBaghDam

— Cavalier (@UmarAhmadShah) June 7, 2018

This is the most important matter right now.

okay guys let's forget these
useless topics ,about #Rehamkhan , #Gulbukhari & talk about water shortage& find a solution i saw this hashtag on FB we can use it here as well , if u are ready to donate fo kalabagh then use this HSTG yeah i am ready #IcanDonate1000RsForKalabaghDam pic.twitter.com/XtXgWxR66Z

— Mariam Jamali (@Mariam_Jamali) June 8, 2018

People do not trust any political party.

i can donate Rs 100000 for kalabagh dam. spread the word . but i will give money not to any political govt #IcanDonate1000RsForKalabaghDam

— Builders Emporium Real Estate Lahore DHA (@dhainvestors) June 8, 2018

However, we don’t think Shahid Afridi or Shehzad Roy is the right choice.

We need a big neutral leader do lead this campaign to collect the funds and then go back to court with a sign that people are willing. Someone like Shahid Afridi or Shezad Roy or similar. I can donate Rs 100,000 #IcanDonate1000RsForKalabaghDam

— Najeeb Ahmad (@najeeb_ahmad) June 8, 2018

Like always, people only have faith in Pakistan Army.

only if this dam is to be built under the management of PakArmy #IcanDonate1000RsForKalabaghDam

— سحر (@ItxSehar) June 9, 2018

Please spread the word.

#Icandonate1000RsforKalabaghDam

Please make this hashtag viral. Lets get together and make a Dam with public donation. Make History. #KalaBaghDam #Pakistan #WaterCrisis #buildkalabaghdam #ImranKhan

— Sadia Bajwah (@SadiaBajwah) June 8, 2018

Kalabagh dam should be the number 1 priority.

If we need to save our country and have a bright future for our future generations, we need to take this water crisis seriously. We need to act collectively. Kalabagh dam should be built as soon as possible. Meanwhile, we can take small steps in saving water. Every small step leads to a bigger change. If we don’t act now, Pakistan can face water scarcity by 2025. Even the thought of it gives me chills. Please do whatever you can to save water.