Sir: While terrorism and economic instability remain in the spotlight, water shortage may be the greatest future threat to Pakistan. The country’s per capita water availability has declined from 5,000 cubic meters to less than 1,000 cubic meters. Currently Pakistan provides 1,000 cubic meters of water per capita — about the same level as Ethiopia. At this rate of depletion, by 2025, Pakistan’s water shortfall could be five times the present level. There are several reasons for this reduced level of water. The population is ballooning. Climate change is making glacier water supply uncertain. Rainwater is wasted for lack of storage reservoirs. In addition, water is also being contaminated when untreated industrial and domestic effluent is discharged into rivers. Besides, India is actually diverting the flow of water for the purpose of power generation. Pakistan needs to look within to prevent waste and devise better management methods. The situation, if not tackled, can exacerbate inter-provincial disharmony in Pakistan. Ali Asghar Peshawar