STAFF REPORT IBD: Pakistan is experiencing acute water scarcity which is badly hampering agriculture, evaporating potable water and creating energy crisis, however, if scientific and innovative methods are applied effectively it could ensure optimal usage of the available water resources, boost agriculture yield with less labour and lessen many other water-related issues.
These consensus views were expressed by speakers at a one-day seminar organized by the COMSATS at the Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) recently to commemorate the World Science Day for Peace and Development. Title of the seminar was Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing Data, Knowledge and Innovations.
Presiding over the inaugural ceremony of the event, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, a veteran Pakistani scientist and former advisor to PM, underscored the importance of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, and reviewed it in its historical perspective. He stressed the need for keeping water-related issues on high priority by the organizations like IIASA, UN, and COMSATS.
He revealed that Pakistan has the distinction of being the country on whose request, the United Nations had decided to celebrate World Science Day every year.
In his address, COMSATS Executive Director, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, gave a broader perspective whereby science has been used both for the betterment of mankind as well as for the purpose of war and destruction.
He also elaborated world-wide focus on freshwater availability and cautioned that Pakistan will face a major destabilizing situation if water management is not addressed at the highest priority.