This refers to the editorial ‘The worsening water crisis’ (May 17) in which you have rightly raised serious concern. The PPP and PML-N governments are to be blamed for the alarming water scarcity. Since the Ayub era, no big dams have been built after Mangla and Tarbela.

Pakistan does not have infinite resources to squander. Every big development project in this country is loan-funded owing to the limited tax base. So, the development projects have to be carefully prioritised as per the needs and which gives the highest return.

The model adopted by the political leadership is hugely flawed as none of the two parties has any concept of nation building.

Preference for superficial projects like metro bus, metro train, motorways and airports over the construction of water reservoirs is a huge blunder and reflects a bit of immaturity.

The media should also share the blame for not being vocal on the government’s ill-conceived planning and for ignoring the construction of big and small dams.

India has built a large number of small and large dams by diverting water flowing into Pakistani territory. Why are we facilitating our neighbour whose dream is to turn Pakistan into a water famine country?

Arif Majeed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2018