2m hectares affected by salinisation in Indus Basin: Irfan Sheikh

KARACHI: Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President of FPCCI, has said that Pakistan needs to have an effective, modern and futuristic salinisation management system in place as 2 million hectares of land have been affected by salinity in Indus Basin. 

He added that it is a matter of food security for future generations. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh explained that tile drainage is one of the most effective methods of reclaiming and rehabilitating saline & water-logged agricultural lands. 

He expressed his profound concerns. He stated that despite being an agricultural country, Pakistan imports more than $10 billion worth of food products annually. Pakistan needs to do everything to go for import substitution in food imports to reduce the strains on foreign exchange reserves, rupee value and, simultaneously, protect the masses from spikes in international food commodities prices. 

FPCCI Chief maintained that enhanced groundwater management is vital for a healthy, food-secure, economically-vibrant, green Pakistan. 

He added that Pakistan’s Indus Basin Irrigation System is the most extensive man-made groundwater recharge system in the world; however, the present water management model does not mirror it. 

Engr. M. A. Jabbar, Vice President FPCCI, emphasised that 35 – 40 per cent of agricultural land dependent on the Indus Basin Irrigation System has become saline and water-logged; yet, the governmental agencies – provincial & federal – are not taking stock of the criticality of the situation. 

Prof Dr Viqar Hussain, Convener of FPCCI’s Standing Committee on Environment, maintained that Sindh is also facing the issues of seawater intrusion and land degradation. Additionally, Pakistan is extracting 50 MAF from the aquifers, which is no longer sustainable. He has proposed formulating a National Ground Water Regulatory Policy to address the issue.