Islamabad
A national stakeholders’ workshop on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 6.6.1, which tracks changes in water-related ecosystems, was successfully held in Islamabad. The event, organized by the Pakistan Water Partnership (PWP) at a local hotel, brought together government officials, technical experts, researchers, and civil society representatives to deliberate on Pakistan’s mounting water and ecosystem challenges.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks by Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Chairman PWP, and M. Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. A short documentary highlighting PWP’s initiatives across the country was also screened to set the tone for the day-long proceedings.
During the technical sessions, Dr. Ukasha (PWP) presented indicators on water quantity, quality, and spatial extent, along with upcoming case studies from Pakistan, Malawi, and Peru. Mr. Muhammad Awais (PWP) and Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain Qamar (GCISC) shared region-specific insights from Pakistan’s glacial regions, Tharparkar, and Balochistan.
Participants raised critical concerns including chronic water scarcity in Cholistan, urban water losses in Karachi, and arsenic contamination in Punjab. They emphasized the urgent need for accurate groundwater data, stronger water governance, and the integration of environmental media and corporate social responsibility into conservation frameworks.
Other challenges discussed included delays in infrastructure projects, prolonged dry spells in key regions, and the deteriorating condition of rivers and canals. Suggested solutions ranged from rainwater harvesting and construction of small dams to restoration of degraded ecosystems and expansion of canal networks in drought-prone areas.
Concluding the workshop, Sardar Muhammad Tariq urged immediate action to restore freshwater ecosystems, enhance data collection, and promote integrated water resources management rooted in equity, efficiency, and sustainability.
Follow-up actions and details of the next stakeholder consultation are expected to be announced in the coming week.
