Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in partnership with UNESCO Islamabad launched two reports; (i) IWRM Implementation Guidelines for Pakistan and (ii) UN World Water Development Report 2021. PCRWR developed an IWRM implementation guideline for Pakistan which will be a guiding document for all stakeholders working at federal and provincial levels. The World Water Development Report 2021 is focused on the theme of “Valuing Water”.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Patricia Mc’Phillips, UNESCO Country Director, remarked that the rising population, and increasing impact of climate change have put Pakistan under immense stress. In this context, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is an effective approach to manage water resources with science and policy.
In his key note address, Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Country Representative, highlighted that Pakistan is facing unique challenges like water scarcity, population growth, environmental degradation, and climate change. IWRM may play an important role to solve these challenges.
In his remarks, Mr. Ahmad Kamal, Chairman, Federal Flood Commission informed that IWRM guidelines and World Water Development Report 2021 will be the core of water resources management and development in Pakistan and going to be the most coherent, comprehensive, and integrated manifestation on the ground.
Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman (PCRWR) while addressing the event, emphasized that the concept of IWRM is very important for valuing water. The IWRM guideline is a practical reference booklet for academia, institutions, industry, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Nanjing Peace Forum 2021 “Living in Harmony with Nature for Peace”
Pakistan Chapter: Experts’ Panel Discussion on “Water for Peace”
The expert panel discussion was organized as a link to Nanjing Peace Forum 2021 “Living in harmony with nature for peace”. In Pakistan, the expert panel discussion was organized by PCRWR in partnership with UNESCO Beijing and Pakistan offices on the subject “Water for Peace”. The Session was moderated by Chairman PCRWR. The panel of Experts included: Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Country Representative International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Pakistan; Engr. Ahmad Kamal, Chief Engineering Advisor/ Chairman Federal Flood Commission; Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director, Public Policy Institute, Riphah International University; Dr. Arjumand Nizami, Country Programme Director Pakistan, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Brig (Retired) Fiaz Husaain Shah from NUST Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, Mr. Ahsan Khan, Progressive Farmers, Local community member, Mr. Ubaid Qureshi, President Youth Parliament.
The experts shared their thoughts that conflicts between the provinces as well as on local level could be minimized and turn to peace by the water accounting system. The professionals remarked that water should not be measured manually. One of the reliable ways to measure water is a telemetry system (without human involvement). Further in their remarks, they highlighted that community should be involved in the policy-making process and the problems of each area related to the water sector should be identified and resolved. The panelists also discussed the that water demand could be reduced by increasing the efficiency of the water use in agriculture and other sectors.