PEW for early approval of ADB’s water report

Islamabad:The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday demanded of the government to approve Asian Development Bank’s water report to overcome many problems faced by the country.

Implementation of the recommendations of the water report which covers issues from glaciers to reservoirs and even drainage system can resolve many pressing issues to ensure economic returns, it said.
Immediate action on the report is needed for improving quality of life of masses, revival of industry, saving millions of young lives, increase productivity and ensuring prosperity, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.The resolution of energy crisis which has paralysed economy also lies in implementation of the recommendations of the report, he added.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that, “FODP Water Sector Task Force” prepared the report which was funded by many countries and coordinated by ADB.

It was submitted to Government of Pakistan in February while it is still awaiting approval; he said adding that the report merits publication. The efforts of over dozens world-class experts spanned over a year should not go waste due to political considerations, he emphasised.Government can ask foreign experts to re-examine some points of the report which they seen as difficult to implement at this point in time, said Dr. Mughal.

However, authorities should not sit on the report which can create anxiety among the friendly countries, donors and lenders, he said.
ADB is providing critical support to Pakistan for achieving prospective growth; last year, the cumulative number of ADB loans to Pakistan was 298, total lending approvals were of $22.2 billion and disbursements were worth $16.8 billion.

Pakistan ranks third in ADB’s top recipients of financing and the reluctance of authorities regarding water report can make the bank uneasy, he warned.