Rehabilitation of Jinnah Barrage on River Indus, would bring miseries, hardships and losses for the people of adjacent areas besides increasing the water logging and wastage of huge funds, said Fazl-e-Rabb President of Sindh Bachao Tarla & Parah Development Foundation on Thursday.
While talking to newsmen, he said that this project would be completed in 2016 with an estimated cost of Rs 12 billion and its irrigation system would remain standstill for four years like Taunsa Barrage, which was redeveloped in three years period. Farmers of Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh and Dera Ghazi Khan had suffered huge losses.
Talking about water, he said that Pakistan should preserve water resources, prevent wastage and use safe and less water-intensive products to enhance health and food security.
Water is also essential for production of all food, crops and livestock that form the basis of our daily diet and contribute to the national and global economy. A steady water supply is also integrated for our industries. The cotton and dairy industries would not survive without a steady water supply.
Filthy water causes diarrhoea and under-nutrition, which leads to stunted growth, mental impairments, diminished productive abilities and a low IQ. The UN in Pakistan is actively working to improve access to safe water. It is supporting the federal and provincial governments to finalise and implement drinking water and sanitation policies, supporting the development of Pakistan Water Quality Standards, establishment of water quality monitoring labs and Environmental Health Protection Units within provincial health and water departments. It is also working on all aspects of water, sanitation and hygiene, including water quality management and surveillance, cholera surveillance and prevention.
Fazl-e-Rabb said, "Improving access to safe water in both rural and urban areas of Pakistan can help mitigate waterborne diseases and malnutrition in women and children. It will reduce women's workload and improve hygiene and sanitation practices at the household and at the community level."