ISLAMABAD: The Adviser to the Punjab caretaker chief minister on law and parliamentary affairs Kunwar Dilshad, said on Friday that the provincial government was working to introduce modern techniques to save drinking water for future requirements.

Mr Dilshad was speaking at the closing session of the three-day seminar, arranged by Pakistan Water Operator Network (PWON) at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre.

The main objective of the conference was to encourage the use of the latest research and technology to bring clean drinking water to citizens and conserve water for future generations.

Mr Dilshad stated that Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had given top priority to construction of small dams across the province to save water for the future, as there would be a dire need for water in the coming days. Also, providing clean drinking water to the citizens is among the top priorities of the caretaker Punjab government, he added.

In Rawalpindi, the work at the Daducha Dam has been started, which would provide 35 million gallon daily (MGD) water to the garrison city, Mr Dilshad said.

Besides, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), work has been started on projects costing more than Rs40 billion for Rawalpindi city.

The adviser remarked that in Lahore, projects have been designed to conserve rainwater and prevent the groundwater level from falling further, adding that the efforts of PWON to save water for future generations are commendable.

Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) Managing Director (MD) Tanveer Ahmed said that there was a dire need to preserve the rainwater and improve the groundwater level in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. During heavy rains, especially in the monsoon season, millions of gallons of water are wasted in Leh Nullah coming from the Margallah Hills, the MD added.

He further said both the cities administrations will join hands to supply rainwater to domestic and commercial consumers in both cities. Besides, there was a need to adopt modern techniques to use rainwater for groundwater recharge, Mr Ahmed added.

The Wasa launched a pilot project to utilise the rainwater coming from rooftops in local mosques for ablution, he added.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) Director General (DG) Sardar Khan Zamri briefed the participants about the development projects to save water and enhance the capacity of ‘Simly’ and ‘Sangjani’ Dams.

“Four waste treatment plants will be installed in the federal capital soon around Rawal Dam, and they will clean the environment and supply water for gardening and farms,” Mr Zamri said.

PWON Chairman Syed Zahid Aziz stated that it was high time to work together to save the water for the next generation.

Mr Aziz added that the water requirement would increase in the coming days, and we had to adopt the latest techniques to enhance the water storage capacity and use it properly.

Heads and experts from water supply institutions across the country participated in the conference.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2023