Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality and Sustainability in Baluchistan: Pakistan’s Challenges in Meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) Number 6

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality and Sustainability in Baluchistan: Pakistan’s Challenges in Meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) requires major revision and does not share the novelty of the subject. The abstract acknowledges numerous obstacles associated with political instability, climate change, and water security; however, it limits specifying the primary research question or the specific research problem being addressed.
The method of data analysis and the contribution of the results to existing knowledge are not specified. In the abstract, phrases such as "significant decay" and "stands serious challenges" are devoid of quantitative support. In order to substantiate these assertions, additional figures or discoveries should be made.
The introduction recaps the abstract's information, particularly regarding Pakistan's susceptibility to water scarcity and climate change. Rather, it should concentrate on the more precise definition of the research deficit and objectives. The introduction does not expressly state the primary research question or hypothesis that will guide the study, even though it describes the severity of water scarcity in Baluchistan. The author should add recent studies. Check out the comprehensive review of Water quality assessment and monitoring in Pakistan: A comprehensive review. The introduction neglects to effectively emphasize the voids in existing research or how this study differs from previous works on water security in Pakistan.
The review primarily draws on the general literature on water scarcity and climate change in Pakistan, rather than concentrating on the distinctive characteristics of the water crisis in Baluchistan. The extant studies are not categorized into themes such as governance issues, contamination sources, and policy recommendations, nor are they organized into a conceptual framework in the literature review. The study does not critically evaluate the methodologies or findings of the numerous sources it cites. It would be advantageous to contrast conflicting studies or emphasize the constraints of current research.
The methodology does not justify the selection of sampling locations, the quantity of samples, or the generalizability of the results to the entire province. Although the study provides contamination levels in percentages, it does not implement sophisticated statistical analyses (e.g., regression models, significance testing) to verify the results. This challenges the conclusions' integrity.  The discussion exclusively concentrates on Baluchistan and does not compare the findings with water quality issues in other provinces of Pakistan or analogous regions worldwide. A comparative analysis could provide additional depth.

Author Response

1. Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality and Sustainability in Baluchistan: Pakistan’s Challenges in Meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) requires major revision and does not share the novelty of the subject. The abstract acknowledges numerous obstacles associated with political instability, climate change, and water security; however, it limits specifying the primary research question or the specific research problem being addressed.

Response-

Revised at page 4-5
2.         The method of data analysis and the contribution of the results to existing knowledge are not specified. In the abstract, phrases such as "significant decay" and "stands serious challenges" are devoid of quantitative support. In order to substantiate these assertions, additional figures or discoveries should be made.

Response-

Revised at page 1 to 16
3.         The introduction recaps the abstract's information, particularly regarding Pakistan's susceptibility to water scarcity and climate change. Rather, it should concentrate on the more precise definition of the research deficit and objectives. The introduction does not expressly state the primary research question or hypothesis that will guide the study, even though it describes the severity of water scarcity in Baluchistan. The author should add recent studies. Check out the comprehensive review of Water quality assessment and monitoring in Pakistan: A comprehensive review. The introduction neglects to effectively emphasize the voids in existing research or how this study differs from previous works on water security in Pakistan.

Response-

Revised from page 2 to 6
4.         The review primarily draws on the general literature on water scarcity and climate change in Pakistan, rather than concentrating on the distinctive characteristics of the water crisis in Baluchistan. The extant studies are not categorized into themes such as governance issues, contamination sources, and policy recommendations, nor are they organized into a conceptual framework in the literature review. The study does not critically evaluate the methodologies or findings of the numerous sources it cites. It would be advantageous to contrast conflicting studies or emphasize the constraints of current research.

Response-

Sir, a new para on limitations has been added at page 5
5.         The methodology does not justify the selection of sampling locations, the quantity of samples, or the generalizability of the results to the entire province. Although the study provides contamination levels in percentages, it does not implement sophisticated statistical analyses (e.g., regression models, significance testing) to verify the results. This challenges the conclusions' integrity.  The discussion exclusively concentrates on Baluchistan and does not compare the findings with water quality issues in other provinces of Pakistan or analogous regions worldwide. A comparative analysis could provide additional depth.

Response-

Complete methodology paragraphs revised from page 6 to 23

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments on how to improve the manuscript are provided in the additional file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The style and content of the text should be improved

Author Response

Dear Sir, I am grateful for your valuable time, input and guidance on improving the quality of study. I have revised the article in light of the kind guidelines and all revisions are marked with red color font for kind consideration please.

 

The idea of the article is quite relevant and requires further development. The

problem of Pakistan's water security can undoubtedly become a challenge not only

for this country, but requires significant attention and involvement of the

international community. The steps taken by the authors of the article deserve

attention and support. Having read the manuscript ‘Impact of Climate Change on

Water Quality and Sustainability in Baluchistan: Pakistan's Challenges in Meeting

the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)’, I would like to

make a few suggestions for its improvement:

1. In the section ‘Materials and Methods’ there are no references to specific

methods of water sampling, standards. There are general words about research

approaches and designations in Table 3, but there are no literature references,

what is ‘Standard method 2017’, ‘Standard Methods 2017 APHA’, ‘Flame

photometer PFP7, UK’?

Response-

Revised at page 6 to 17

2. The list of references does not include references to the water sampling

methods used, nor to the standards listed in Table 4.

Response-

More relevant references added through in text citations and reference list at the end of study

3. Section 3.1. Systematic literature review (SLR) refers to the literature review on

the research topic. It is stated that 123 shortlisted papers were analysed (the

list of which was reduced to 67), but there is not a single reference to any

article on the topic.

Response-

More relevant references added through in text citations and reference list at the end of study

 

4. No data on the statistical processing of the research results are provided. There

are no averages in the tables with errors of the mean.

Response-

Sir , the study was spread over four seasons of 2024, involving thousands of laboratory tests. The scope was to test water quality through lab testing, which was done successfully and accordingly results of contamination or otherwise were recorded. The statistical analysis is altogether a separate study, which can be done for next research project, therefore, I request to please approve the current lab test results.

5. There is no evidence of the reliability of the results obtained, checked

mathematically, using statistical analysis.

Response-

Sir , methodology has been revised to contain various steps taken to ensure reliability of instruments and inter lab validity. Secondly the study was spread over four seasons of 2024, involving thousands of laboratory tests. The scope was to test water quality through lab testing, which was done successfully and accordingly results of contamination or otherwise were recorded. The statistical analysis is altogether a separate study, which can be done for next research project, therefore, I request to please approve the current lab test results.

 

6. The text does not refer to the National Environmental Quality Standards

(NEEQS) adopted in Pakistan.

Response-

Reference added at page  15

7. There is no reference to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,

including Goal 6, which is often mentioned in the text.

Response-

A new paragraph and reference added at page  3

 

8. It is not clear whether the current system of water quality monitoring in

Pakistan includes the detection of heavy metals in water (section 5.2).

Response-

Yes it is there but has limited capability for Baluchistan so accordingly mentioned in results part.

9. What measures can the authors propose to reduce the content of such pollutants

as arsenic and fluoride in drinking and industrial water (section 5.1)?

Response-

Recommendation revised appropriately at page 25

10. It might be useful to provide general information about the water

infrastructure: what elements it consists of, what materials are used, what are

the conditions and terms of operation, what are the treatment facilities or

water treatment plants, etc.

Response-

A new paragraph added at page 25

11. I believe that the presentation of Section 5 ‘Recommendations for ensuring

water security in Baluchistan’ would be appropriate in the form of a diagram or

figure with the development of a roadmap for action to harmonise legislation,

management and control bodies, educational and scientific activities, etc.

Response-

Diagram added at page 24

12. In my opinion, the text of the article needs to be improved in terms of its content

and structure. Sometimes it seems that the authors ‘go back and forth’ and

repeat the theses that were presented in the previous paragraphs of the text.

Response-

Comprehensive proof reading by using editorial services of NUML Islamabad has been taken for improving the English of the study

 

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please check the attachment. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The writing style is generally clear, but the English contains some grammatical errors and heavy phrasing that affect the readability and fluency of the text. A thorough proofreading or a revision by a native English speaker would improve the clarity and overall quality of the text.

Author Response

Response to Review 3

Dear Sir, I am grateful for your valuable time, input and guidance on improving the quality of study. I have revised the article in light of the kind guidelines and all revisions are marked with red color font for kind consideration please.

 

1-

Response-

Revised, new paragraphs added on page 2 to 5 all marked with red color font

2-

Response-

Corrected at page  3

3-

Response-

Novelty of research paragraph added at page 5

4-

Response-

Revised at page 11

 

5-

Response-

Added at  page 17

6-

Response-

Completely revised

7-

Response-

Recommendations revised at page 25

8-                                                                                            

Response-

Sir request to kindly allow to retain the title as such as all our study revolves around the impacts of climate change on water quality in Baluchistan

9

Response-

Comprehensive proof reading by using editorial services of NUML Islamabad has been taken for improving the English of the study

 

 

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The authors have successfully revised the paper based on the suggestions. I recommend the paper for publication in the journal. Good paper... I congratulate the authors.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

There are minor error which should be fixed during proof read.

Author Response

Minor revision done and revised manuscript uploaded sir

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I hope that the improved version of the manuscript will be of interest to the readers of the journal and will be able to draw the attention of society and the government to solving this urgent problem!

Author Response

Minor revision done and revised manuscript uploaded sir

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I appreciate the revisions and consideration of my suggestions. The modifications are well-executed, but numbering all section titles is unnecessary. Keeping 1. Introduction is appropriate, while sections like "Scope of the Study", "Objectives", "Hypothesis", "Research Questions", "Limitations", "Novelty", and "Literature Review" should be integrated into the Introduction as paragraphs. This would better align the structure with a standard scientific article: Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusion.

Author Response

Minor revision done and revised manuscript uploaded sir