# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Water security" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 5th, 2025:* The article discusses *Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif*'s plan to consult *provinces* on increasing *Pakistan*'s *water storage capacity* following *India*'s announcement that it was holding the *Indus Waters Treaty (IWT)* in *abeyance*. Speaking at a *jirga* at *Corps Headquarters Peshawar*, the *PM* directed authorities to accelerate construction of the *Diamer-Bhasha hydropower project*. However, the editorial questions whether new *water storage schemes* are the solution to *India*'s threat of *throttling river flows* allocated to *Pakistan* under the *IWT* or to address *water shortages* caused by *rapid climate change*. The article emphasizes that the battle against *Indian threats* to *Pakistan*'s *water security* must be fought through *multiple dispute-resolution forums* under the *treaty* if *New Delhi* attempts to implement its *illegal plan*. *Water experts* argue that constructing new *dams* will not solve *increasing water scarcity*, especially when existing *dams* struggle to reach capacity due to more *dry and snowless days*. They contend that *dams* worsen *climate change* impacts by *reducing river flows* and are often promoted by *lobbies* seeking *financial benefits*. The editorial criticizes spending *billions* on expensive *hydropower* when *Pakistan* has yet to harness abundant *solar and wind power* at a *fraction of the cost*. The *Planning Commission* highlights *alarming* declining output of *industrial and food crops* due to *bad policies*, *climate impact*, and *higher input costs*. The article concludes that *Pakistan* needs *constantly flowing rivers* regenerating *hundreds of kilometers* of adjacent *aquifers* for sustainable and affordable *water harvesting*, *economic growth*, *food security*, and *renewable energy*, rather than *large dams* or *costly hydropower projects* at the expense of other essential *socioeconomic infrastructure*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *PM Shehbaz Sharif* plans to consult *provinces* on *water storage* after *India* suspended the *IWT*. While directing faster *Diamer-Bhasha* construction, experts argue new *dams* won't solve *water scarcity* worsened by *climate change*. They suggest *expensive hydropower* is unjustified when *cheap solar/wind* alternatives exist. *Pakistan* needs *flowing rivers* and *aquifers* for sustainable *water harvesting*, not *costly dam projects*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Utilize IWT Dispute Forums* Fight *India*'s *water threats* through existing *treaty mechanisms* and *international arbitration*. ## *2. Prioritize Renewable Energy* Invest in *solar and wind power* instead of expensive *hydropower projects*. ## *3. Focus on River Flow Management* Maintain *naturally flowing rivers* to regenerate *aquifers* for sustainable *water supply*. ## *4. Improve Agricultural Policies* Address *declining crop outputs* through better *agricultural policies* and *climate adaptation*. ## *5. Enhance Water Conservation* Implement *water-efficient irrigation* and *conservation techniques* rather than relying on *storage*. ## *6. Strengthen Provincial Coordination* Ensure *federal-provincial consultation* on all major *water projects* to prevent disputes. ## *7. Invest in Aquifer Recharge* Develop *groundwater recharge systems* along *river corridors* for long-term *water security*. ## *8. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure* Build *climate-adapted* infrastructure instead of traditional *large-scale dams*. ## *9. Economic Policy Reform* Address *resource allocation* issues and prioritize *cost-effective solutions*. ## *10. Regional Water Diplomacy* Engage in *diplomatic efforts* to resolve *transboundary water disputes* peacefully. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *India* announced holding the *Indus Waters Treaty* in *abeyance* last month. - *PM* spoke at a *jirga* at *Corps Headquarters Peshawar* on Tuesday. - *Diamer-Bhasha hydropower project* construction needs acceleration. - *Dams* reduce flows into rivers, worsening *climate change* impact. - *Planning Commission* reports declining output of *industrial and food crops*. - Rivers can regenerate *hundreds of kilometers* of adjacent *aquifers*. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Pakistan* receives *80%* of its water from *Indus River system* (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Diamer-Bhasha Dam* costs approximately *$14 billion* (*WAPDA*, 2024). - *Solar energy* costs dropped *70%* globally in last decade (*IRENA*, 2024). - *Pakistan* has potential for *60,000 MW* of *wind power* (*AEDB*, 2024). - *Groundwater* accounts for *60%* of *Pakistan*'s irrigation* (*FAO*, 2024). - *Climate change* may reduce *Indus flows* by *30%* by 2050 (*IPCC*, 2023). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *Where did PM Shehbaz Sharif speak about water storage plans?* A. National Assembly *B. Corps Headquarters Peshawar* C. Governor House D. Planning Commission ### 2. *Which hydropower project did the PM direct to speed up?* A. Tarbela Dam *B. Diamer-Bhasha* C. Mangla Dam D. Kalabagh Dam ### 3. *What do experts say about dams and climate change?* A. Dams help climate change *B. Dams worsen climate change impact* C. Dams have no effect D. Dams prevent climate change ### 4. *What alternative energy sources does the article mention?* A. Nuclear and coal *B. Solar and wind* C. Gas and oil D. Biomass and geothermal ### 5. *What does Pakistan need according to the article's conclusion?* A. More dams *B. Constantly flowing rivers* C. Hydropower plants D. Water storage tanks # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Abeyance* (تعطل) – Temporary suspension or dormant state 2. *Federating* (وفاقی) – Units forming a federal system 3. *Jirga* (جرگہ) – Traditional assembly of tribal elders 4. *Throttling* (دبانا) – Restricting or controlling flow 5. *Peril* (خطرہ) – Serious danger or risk 6. *Scarcity* (قلت) – Shortage or lack of availability 7. *Lobbies* (لابیاں) – Groups seeking to influence policy 8. *Harvest* (فصل کاٹنا) – Collect or gather resources 9. *Fraction* (حصہ) – Small part or portion 10. *Crunch* (بحران) – Severe shortage or difficult situation 11. *Aquifers* (زیر زمین پانی) – Underground water-bearing rock layers 12. *Regenerating* (دوبارہ پیدا کرنا) – Renewing or restoring naturally 13. *Sustainable* (پائیدار) – Able to be maintained long-term 14. *Adjacent* (ملحقہ) – Next to or adjoining 15. *Infrastructure* (بنیادی ڈھانچہ) – Basic physical systems 16. *Socioeconomic* (سماجی اقتصادی) – Relating to social and economic factors 17. *Alarming* (تشویشناک) – Causing worry or fear 18. *Input* (داخلی لاگت) – Resources used in production 19. *Amid* (درمیان) – In the middle of or during 20. *Expensive* (مہنگا) – Costly or high-priced 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Water security* *Editorial* *3–4 minutes* PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif has hinted at consulting the provinces regarding a plan to increase Pakistan's water storage capacity to meet potential shortages after India announced last month that it was holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. This is a good decision and should help prevent future controversies, especially where friction among the federating units over certain water storage projects in the past is concerned. Speaking at a jirga at the Corps Headquarters Peshawar on Tuesday, Mr Sharif also directed the authorities to speed up the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha hydropower project. However, it is doubtful whether new water storage schemes are the answer to India's threat of throttling the flows from the rivers allotted to Pakistan under the IWT or to the shortages in our rivers resulting from the impact of rapid climate change. So far as the Indian threat to Pakistan's water security is concerned, this battle will have to be fought and won at the multiple dispute-resolution forums provided under the treaty if New Delhi tries to implement its illegal plan — at its own peril. Meanwhile, a number of experts are of the view that the construction of new dams will not solve the problem of increasing water scarcity, especially when it becomes difficult to fill existing dams to capacity due to the increase in the number of dry and snowless days. Rather, they say that dams would only worsen the impact of climate change by reducing flows into the rivers. Some even argue that such schemes are mostly pushed by lobbies that stand to financially benefit from them. Likewise, the plan to spend billions of dollars on expensive hydropower is hardly justified when the country has yet to harvest abundant solar and wind power at a fraction of its price. Such expensive projects are debatable amid a huge resource crunch. As pointed out by the Planning Commission, the falling output of both industrial and food crops, owing to bad policies — as well as climate impact and higher input cost — is quite alarming. If anything, Pakistan needs constantly flowing rivers regenerating hundreds of kilometres of adjacent aquifers for sustainable and affordable water harvesting for economic growth, food security and renewable energy, and not large dams or costly hydropower projects at the expense of other essential socioeconomic infrastructure. *Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2025*