The eastern rivers coming from India have become a major cause of water pollution in Pakistan.
In a report on water quality by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, water in major cities of Punjab has been declared contaminated and hazardous to health. It has been stated that the Ravi and Sutlej rivers are bringing harmful metals and pollution into Pakistan from across the border. The report has also declared 34 percent of drinking water in Islamabad as contaminated and hazardous to health.
According to the report, cross-border pollution in the Ravi River, Sutlej River and related drains was reviewed. A high quantity of harmful metals was found in the Ravi River, while metals were also detected in the water of the Sutlej River coming from across the border.
According to PCRWR, cross border drains including Fazilka Drain, Kasur Nullah and Hudiara Drain are bringing pollution. In Islamabad, 34 percent of drinking water is contaminated and hazardous to health, while 69 percent of water in Simly Dam is no longer fit for drinking.
In Islamabad, 74 percent pollution has been confirmed in streams and drains, while 44 percent of water supplied from Rawal Dam is also unsafe. Problems have been found in the performance of the water purification system at Rawal Dam.
