'Need to resolve issues of food security, water, energy on priority'

Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said on Tuesday that if the issues related to food security, water and energy were not resolved in the shortest possible time then it would further exacerbate the situation. He expressed these views while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus Conference 2016, which was held under the aegis of the American Embassy and National University of the Sciences and Technology (NUST).
He said the government has prioritised the resolution of energy, water and food security related issues, which are at the heart of the "Vision 2025". He said nowadays world is facing climate change and this is equally true for Pakistan as well. He was of the opinion that time was running out, especially for Pakistan. "Pillar-IV of the Vision 2025 gives roadmap for ensuring energy, water and food security, and the government has prioritised these sectors," he said.
He said that new energy projects would generate 10,000MW by 2018. He mentioned that the government would be spending $3 billion to improve transmission and distribution networks. He said more electricity would be added to the national grid in due course. While talking about water sector, he mentioned that the government had procured land worth $1 billion from its own resources for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, and work would be started by the end of this year.
"After the Tarbella and Mangla dams, nothing was done for water storage, and today Pakistan has 30-day capacity, and upon completion of the Diamer-Bhasha, it will reach 90 days," he said this while underling the need for technically efficient wide range of interventions for water usage efficiency. Ahsan said that the food security could be ensured through an ample supply of water and energy. He stated that inadequate food was producing stunted children, who are not only physically incapacitated; their cognitive abilities were adversely affected too.
"They will be unable to compete in the digitalised world where the competition will be getting tougher every passing day," he added. He said that the last visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to America paved the way for the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, which would be of huge importance in gearing the country for meeting its educational needs. "We want the US to help us training 10,000 PhDs in the coming years since it is only through knowledge that we can meet the challenges," he said. Earlier, Rector of the University Engineer Muhammad Asghar gave welcome address. Dr Hamza Gabriel briefed audience about the two-day conference, and US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale gave the opening remarks.