First water management policy on the cards

Global climate change impacting Pakistan’s precious water resources

ISLAMABAD: Minister of Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif has announced that the government is in the process of framing the first-ever water management policy and at present parliament is holding discussions on various aspects.

He was talking to a delegation of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, led by Margaret Adamson, High Commissioner of Australia, which met him here on Wednesday.

The minister apprised the delegates that Pakistan was also facing the impact of global climate change, which was having negative effects on precious water resources of the country.

He underlined the need of taking effective measures so that the impact of global warming and climate change could be minimised.

Stressing that the government was fully aware of the sensitivity of the issue, Asif said they had been actively implementing policies and bringing legislation along with practical steps for preservation and better management of water resources.

He emphasised the importance of greater sensitisation of the society to issues pertaining to water resources and called for an effective awareness campaign through the media, seminars, public walks and curriculum modification in educational institutions to highlight the benefits of water management.

Talking about the close and cordial relations with Australia, the minister said Pakistan was eager to take maximum advantage of the Australian expertise, especially in water management and energy sector development.

Areas of mutual interest, particularly cooperation in water management and development of power projects, also came up for discussion with the Commonwealth delegation.

The Australian high commissioner agreed that agreements could be reached for a better working relationship between the two countries to tackle water scarcity in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th,  2015.

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