This is apropos letter to Editor entitled “Provision of essential facilities” (August 31, 2017)
Juxtaposing with social indicators of the other countries reveals that Pakistan has only been climbing up to achieve the status of the most populous country in the world if current population growth rate sustains unheeded. The overwhelming upsurge in the population exposed in Census – 2017 is alarming as it uncovers the fragility of the preparedness for controlling more than expected ticking population bomb.
The most interesting but disputed statistics are of the Karachi and Lahore that rate both cities as the most crowded cities of the country respectively, however, this trend along with 36.4pc urban size which seems unrealistic but shows an unprecedented urbanization in the country will ultimately add to the already existing troubles of the megacities. For instance, cities like Karachi, and Lahore that are presently facing an acute water crisis which not only shows unreachability of the people to the basic needs but also forestalls the shortage in near future. This shortage is further rising due to an influx of the people from rural areas and higher than ever population growth rate indigenously. Adding more to the fuel is the quality of the potable water which is contaminated because of the various reasons like skimpy city planning, and inefficient waste management of the industrial sector. Unavailability of the potable water to the masses making them drink contaminated water is triggering frequent flare-ups of the waterborne diseases such as Diarrhoea, Cholera, and Dysentery etc.
Consequently, it is putting a burden on inadequate and underdeveloped health care structure of the megacities. This vicious chain that is flaring up and down can be worse if not drawn to a close timely.
A solitary impact of the uncontrolled population growth has so many deep-rooted effects that are directly upsetting country’s already declining social indicators. This is the time that govt. come up with a meticulous policy to restraint far-reaching implication of the population upsurge.
MUHAMMAD TAYYAB MUGHAL
Kech