The construction of new water reservoirs is a must to achieve the self-sufficiency in food and generating cheap electricity through hydel means of electricity production.
Punjab Minister for Literacy and Non-Formal Basic Education Syed Hussain Jahanian Gardezi stated this while addressing a two-day international seminar on "Water and Environment - A Looming Crisis", organised by faculty of Agriculture, Engineering and Technology University of Agriculture Faisalabad on Monday.
According to a message received here from Faisalabad, Gardezi said that per capita availability of water in Pakistan was decreasing day by day.
He maintained that in 1951 per capita availability of water in Pakistan was 5650 mf, in 2003 it was recorded 1200 mf, and in 2010 it will be further decreased up to 1000 mf, which is the bottom line of water deficiency.
He called for constructing new water reservoirs in the country, as at present China has 59 dams, Japan 35, Iran 28, Turkey 22 and six in India, while in Pakistan there are only two big dams. He lauded the decision of President Musharraf to construct five big water reservoirs till 2016.
Speaking on the occasion, UAF vice-chancellor Professor Dr Bashir Ahmad said that Pakistan being an agriculture country was totally dependent upon the water availability and its quality for our economic growth, agriculture, industrial development and food security.
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