- AFP
- 2 Minutes ago

ADB warns Pakistan at risk of severe water shortage due to rising population
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- Web Desk
- Aug 19, 2024

WEB DESK: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised alarm over Pakistan’s growing urban challenges, warning that the country’s rapidly increasing population could lead to severe water shortages by 2040.
The population growth in urban areas has reached an alarming rate of 3.65 per cent, with urban population growth doubling that of rural areas, according to an ADB report.
The report predicts that Pakistan’s population could surpass 400 million by 2050, exacerbating the shortage of basic amenities in cities. The rapid population increase is already leading to a decline in living standards, with illegal constructions and violations of building codes significantly impacting urban environments.
The encroachment on agricultural land due to urban expansion also poses a threat to future food security. The report stresses the urgent need for new cities and sustainable urban policies to accommodate the growing population. It calls for the development of policies aimed at enhancing economic powerhouses, improving education, and creating better living opportunities.
The ADB highlights the severe economic challenges Pakistan faced last year, including declining foreign exchange reserves and unprecedented inflation. In 2018, Karachi contributed 15 per cent to the GDP and 55 per cent to the country’s taxes. The top 10 cities in Pakistan collectively contribute 95 per cent to federal taxes.
Since the 18th Amendment, the report notes that provincial and local governments have failed to improve services and management. The devastating floods of 2010 and 2022 resulted in an economic loss of $40 billion and claimed 3,700 lives.
The 2015 heatwave in Karachi also led to the deaths of 1,200 people. Pakistan is identified as one of the countries most economically impacted by climate change in the region.
The ADB report indicates that Pakistan needs to build 350,000 new homes annually to keep up with population growth, with a total of 10 million homes required for settlement. The country could rank 23rd among the nations facing severe water shortages, with 43 per cent of the urban population already lacking access to water.
Additionally, 18 per cent of the urban population does not have access to basic sanitation, and half of the water demand in urban areas is unmet. Karachi faces significant water loss, with 35 per cent to 58 per cent of drinking water wasted due to theft and leakage.
The report highlights issues in Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including inadequate water storage and other related problems. It urges the creation of new urbanisation plans for the next 10, 20, and 30 years and advocates for public-private partnerships to improve municipal services.
Provincial governments are also encouraged to take steps to implement local government acts and ensure their enforcement.
The ADB further notes that population growth accelerated after the 2017 census. Punjab ranks third globally in population density, with an average of 621 people per square kilometre. The report calls for the introduction of a new system to replace the current urban development model in Pakistan.
The historical data provided in the report shows that Pakistan’s population growth rate was 2.4 per cent from 1998 to 2017, 2.7 per cent from 1981 to 1998, 3.1 per cent from 1972 to 1981, and 3.6 per cent from 1961 to 1972. Punjab, with its high population density, remains one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
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