By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik here on Tuesday called for scaling up groundwater recharge initiatives to address the continued decline in the city’s groundwater reserves.
Addressing an event titled, “Protecting Islamabad’s Aquifers” at the United Nations Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) auditorium, the minister said around 200 recharge wells had been constructed in the capital, an important pilot initiative needed to be expanded.
He said the estimated increase in the water table from the recharge interventions was 0.4 millimetres, compared with a decline of around 1.5 metres.
Dr. Musadik stressed that the focus should be on expanding recharge efforts sufficiently to reduce groundwater depletion and eventually reverse the declining trend. Musadik Malik calls for scaling up groundwater recharge to protect Islamabad aquifers. He said the recharge-well initiative was an important achievement but should not be considered the final solution.
The minister also highlighted the need for improved management of surface and groundwater following recent heavy rainfall the capital. Musadik Malik calls for scaling up groundwater recharge to protect Islamabad aquifers. He said around 200 millimetres of rainfall had been recorded in the capital. Referring to flooding, Dr Musadik said several areas had been affected and relevant authorities and organisations had been directed to respond to the situation.
The minister also expressed concern over water quality and said treatment facilities were operating in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. He said the treatment plants helped reduce contamination in treated water but stressed the need for continued attention to water quality. Dr Musadik also raised the issue of delays in establishing an additional water treatment plant, saying the project had remained pending for several years despite repeated tendering.
He said delays in implementing development projects were not limited to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and could be observed across government departments. The minister said progress had recently been made on the project as the tendering process was under way.
Dr. Musadik also discussed the importance of protecting Pakistan’s water interests and the role of international treaties and legal mechanisms in ensuring water security. He said respect for international agreements was important for maintaining stability and protecting the rights of countries dependent on shared water resources. The minister said Pakistan would continue to protect its water interests and stressed the importance of a rules-based international system.
Dr Musadik noted that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination had established a Clean Environment Fund. He said the fund would involve private-sector participation and due diligence to support environmental initiatives. The minister said the government wanted to encourage innovative approaches and greater private-sector involvement in addressing environmental challenges.
He also supported legislative measures to promote groundwater recharge in new communities and housing schemes and on rooftops. Dr. Musadik said protecting water resources was essential for safeguarding communities and ensuring sustainable water availability. He reiterated the government’s support for initiatives aimed at protecting Islamabad’s aquifers and improving water management.
