President Dr Arif Alvi has said the nation should be sensitized about better and careful use of water in the country as Pakistan is among the countries facing severe water crisis.
He was addressing an international conference titled “Needs for sustainable water management in climate crises for the Indus basin” in Islamabad on Monday.
The President said due to scarcity and reckless use of water, the groundwater sources have also decreased to dangerous level.
He said that climate change is also having hazardous impact on our country, with temperatures rising and glaciers melting rapidly.
He said the government is working effectively on construction of water reservoirs in the country as it is among the top priorities of the government.
Dr Arif Alvi called for adopting modern methods like drip irrigation to conserve water.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Science and Technology Shibli Faraz said water scarcity and climate change are priority concerns of incumbent government. He said Pakistan is facing serious challenges of water as ground water is depleting and per capita water availability is reducing.
The Minister said to resolve issues of climate change and water scarcity information data sharing is crucial. He said we are making efforts to translate scientific research into public benefit with the help of scientific data and smart technologies.
Shibli Faraz said Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources and Capital Development Authority have signed a program of cooperation for artificial ground water recharge and development of an evidence based ground water regulatory frame work for the capital.
He said by June next year Islamabad will be the first city to have a network of hundred ground water recharge wells and ground water regulatory frame work.
