In the backdrop of population explosion, deforestation and industrial mobilisation, Pakistan is experiencing an acute water stress. Rector NUST Engr. Muhammad Asghar said this while addressing the inaugural session of a dialogue on Pakistan-From Food Bowl to Dust Bowl, says a press release issued here on Wednesday. The Dialogue has been organised by School of Civil & Environmental Engineering (SCEE) in collaboration with UNESCO at National University of Sciences and Technology.
The policy briefing is a follow-up of the three-day international workshop on "Education for Managing Hydrological Extremes and Related Geo-hazards" held at NUST from January 24 to 26. Asghar made a strong case for raising awareness among media and policy stakeholders regarding two silent tsunamis of water shortage and food shortage that can potentially harm the future of the country.
He asserted that the Dialogue would serve as a stepping stone in devising water management techniques, expressing his gratitude over UNESCO-NUST collaborative efforts in finding means to address looming water scarcity issue. Dr Shahbaz Khan, Chief of Section on Sustainable Water Resources Development and Management, UNESCO, France pinpointed four fundamental water-related challenges facing the country including its geo-political vulnerability to rapid population increase and climate change. He laid great emphasis on efficient water management through technological advancement.-PR