Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in collaboration with IWMI, Pakistan and Federal Flood Commission (FFC) organized a consultative Workshop on December 27, 2022 at PCRWR regional office, Lahore for the review of the draft National Water Conservation Strategy. Representatives from various Government departments attended the workshop. Addressing the audience, Mr. Ahmad Kamal, CEA/Chairman Federal flood commission highlighted the salient features of national water policy and briefed about the goal of national water policy and the need for the development of the strategy. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman, PCRWR stressed the need for water conservation in all water use sectors and the basic idea for developing the strategy. He also described the complete process of development of this document. Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Country Representative, IWMI Pakistan, briefed the audience about the purpose and expected outcomes of the stocktaking initiatives. He also highlighted that the data received from the stakeholders will be helpful in the development of a baseline for the effective implementation of the national water policy 2018. Dr. Hifza Rasheed, Secretary, PCRWR, delivered a detailed presentation on the salient features of the Draft National water conservation strategy. The stakeholders appreciated the initiative and provided their feedback/inputs for further improvement. Muhammad Kashif Manzoor, Deputy Director, PCRWR, Islamabad presented the updated progress of Punjab province on the data for the stock-taking assignment. The focal persons from different departments ensured to provide the requisite data at the earliest. At the end, the chief guest Mr. Moeen ud din Sheikh, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Punjab appreciated the initiative of PCRWR and recommended that the baseline should be created as soon as possible so that the digital inventory may be completed. The strategy should also focus on the key interventions keeping in view the advanced technologies.
Engr. Faakhar Raza, Regional Director, PCRWR, Lahore thanked the participants for the valuable inputs to the draft document and active participation in the workshop.