Imperative to improve the water system in the province and bring innovation in the use of resources: Riaz Khan
\n Peshawar
\nKhyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation, Riaz Khan, chaired an important meeting in Peshawar regarding the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Program.
\nThe purpose of the meeting was to brief the Provincial Minister on the WRAP Program at the government level by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). The IWMI delegation included Science & Policy Advisor Engr. Muhammad Naeem, Team Leader WRAP Programme Engr. Kifayat Zaman, Murshid Khan, Director General Water Resources Regulatory Authority (WRRA), and Engr. Rooh-ul-Mohsin. On the occasion, Engr. Muhammad Naeem briefed Minister Riaz Khan about IWMI\u2019s overall work.
\nHe stated that IWMI is an international research-for-developmet organization that has maintained long-standing cooperation with the Government of Pakistan since 1986. With support from the UK Government, the WRAP Program has been launched to improve water governance, enhance water productivity, and strengthen resilience against climate challenges.
\nIWMI\u2019s priorities are formulated in close coordination with federal ministries, provincial governments, and key development partners to support evidence-based policies related to water, food, and climate. During the meeting, it was highlighted that the WRAP Project\u2019s efforts align with the directives of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa issued just a day earlier in a meeting with the Irrigation Department.
\nThese efforts will assist in digitizing and developing the database of tube wells, small dams, and canal infrastructure across the province. It was also shared that District Charsadda and District Mansehra have been selected as pilot districts for project activities.
\nEngr. Naeem Khan informed the Minister in detail about the key features of the program, emphasizing the strategic importance of groundwater resources in the province and drawing attention to challenges such as groundwater depletion and declining water quality. Engr. Kifayat Zaman also delivered a detailed technical briefing on the progress and operational activities under WRAP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
\nHe informed the Minister that IWMI has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in the province particularly with the Irrigation Department, Agriculture Department, Hazara University Mansehra, and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Mardan to strengthen institutional cooperation, research partnerships, and technical collaboration at multiple levels.
\nHe further shared that IWMI has installed flux towers in Mardan and Mansehra and deployed flow gauges in Charsadda. Engr. Rooh-ul-Mohsin apprised the Provincial Minister that IWMI, the Irrigation Department, and other line departments should take an active part in various trainings and field operations under the WRAP Program.
\nHe appreciated IWMI\u2019s support in preparing rules and regulations for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Water Act. Minister Riaz Khan praised IWMI\u2019s efforts and expressed satisfaction over the objectives and progress of the WRAP Program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<\/p>\n
He advised the line departments to maintain close coordination with IWMI to further improve the provincial water system and ensure innovation in water resource management.
\nThe Minister also emphasized the importance of expanding the WRAP Program to other water-stressed districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure long-term sustainability of the province\u2019s water resources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Imperative to improve the water system in the province and bring innovation in the use of resources: Riaz Khan Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation, Riaz Khan, chaired an important meeting in Peshawar regarding the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Program. The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Provincial Minister on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":515943,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-515918","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n