Water Crisis in Pakistan: Unsafe Drinking Water in Gilgit-Baltistan and Major Cities
Pakistan is facing a severe water contamination crisis, with drinking water in many regions being unsafe for consumption. A recent report highlights that all water samples from Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) are contaminated. This issue extends to other areas, including two cities in Sindh, such as Shaheed Benazirabad.
The Pakistan Ministry of Water Resources has revealed alarming statistics: 93% of drinking water in Karachi, 92% in Badin, and 94% in Bahawalpur are contaminated. Other affected cities include Sargodha (83%), Faisalabad (59%), Sheikhupura (60%), Hyderabad (80%), Sukkur (67%), and Muzaffarabad (70%). Abbottabad and Khuzdar report 55% contamination, while Loralai and Quetta have 59%.
The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) regularly monitors water quality. A previous report from November 2023 highlighted severe contamination in Karachi’s tap water, with 90% of samples lacking chlorine, leading to 11 deaths from the brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri. Contamination with E. coli and Vibrio cholera was also found in water from Faqir Muhammad Goth in Malir district.
In PoGB, poor water quality is a major public health concern, causing frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and parasitic infections. The region’s inadequate sanitation infrastructure exacerbates these issues, underscoring the urgent need for improved water management and infrastructure.
Doubts Revealed
Water Crisis -: A water crisis means there is not enough clean water for people to drink, cook, and use for other daily activities.
Pakistan -: Pakistan is a country in South Asia, located next to India.
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in the northern part of Pakistan, known for its beautiful mountains.
Karachi -: Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and is located in the southern part of the country.
Sindh -: Sindh is a province in Pakistan, and Karachi is its capital.
Bahawalpur -: Bahawalpur is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization, which sets health standards for countries around the world.
Toxic metals -: Toxic metals are harmful substances like lead and mercury that can make water unsafe to drink.
Microbes -: Microbes are tiny living things, like bacteria and viruses, that can cause diseases.
Pakistan Ministry of Water Resources -: This is a government department in Pakistan responsible for managing the country’s water resources.
PCRWR -: PCRWR stands for Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, which studies and monitors water quality in Pakistan.
Pathogens -: Pathogens are harmful germs that can cause diseases.
Water management -: Water management means planning and controlling how water is used and distributed to make sure everyone has enough clean water.
Infrastructure -: Infrastructure refers to the basic systems and structures, like pipes and water treatment plants, needed to supply clean water to people.
