Sir: Several reputed international organisations have predicted that fresh water supplies around the world, or at least access to them, is dwindling, and that the shortages could get severe enough to trigger inter- and intra-state conflicts. This seems to be the case in our region as well. First came the report that many of the glaciers feeding our rivers are likely to disappear over the next two decades. And then recently, relations between Pakistan and India suffered as construction of the Baglihar Dam caused a serious shortage in Pakistan.The people of this region depend on stable water supply for irrigation, without which agriculture would not be possible. This is not a situation that can be handled by each country on its own. This crisis needs a regional response.KHALID AKHTARKarachi