ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik has called for scaling up groundwater recharge initiatives in Islamabad, warning that existing efforts remain insufficient to address the continued depletion of the capital’s aquifers.
Addressing an event titled “Protecting Islamabad’s Aquifers” at the USEFP Auditorium, the minister said around 200 groundwater recharge wells had been constructed in Islamabad as part of a pilot initiative, but stressed that the programme needed to be significantly expanded.
Dr Musadik said the recharge interventions had so far resulted in an estimated 0.4-millimetre increase in the water table, against an overall decline of around 1.5 metres.
He said the figures demonstrated the need to expand recharge measures on a much larger scale to reduce groundwater depletion and eventually reverse the declining trend.
The minister described the construction of recharge wells as an important achievement but cautioned that it should not be regarded as a final solution to Islamabad’s growing water challenges.
He also called for better management of both surface and groundwater resources, particularly in the wake of recent heavy rainfall in the capital. Around 200 millimetres of rain was recorded in Islamabad during the recent spell, affecting several areas and creating flooding-related challenges.
Dr Musadik said relevant authorities and organisations had been directed to respond to the situation and improve water management mechanisms.
The minister also expressed concern over water quality and highlighted the role of treatment facilities operating in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He said the treatment plants were helping reduce contamination in treated water, while emphasising the need for continued monitoring and improvement of water quality.
He also raised concerns over delays in establishing an additional water treatment plant, noting that the project had remained pending for several years despite repeated tendering attempts.
According to the minister, delays in development projects were not confined to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) but were a broader issue across government departments. He said progress had recently been made on the proposed treatment plant, with the tendering process currently under way.
Dr Musadik also discussed Pakistan’s water interests and the importance of international treaties and legal mechanisms in safeguarding water security. He stressed that respect for international agreements was essential for maintaining regional stability and protecting the rights of countries dependent on shared water resources.
He reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to safeguard its water interests while emphasising the importance of a rules-based international system.
The minister further announced that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination had established a Clean Environment Fund, which would encourage private-sector participation in environmental initiatives. He said projects supported through the fund would be subject to due diligence to ensure effective and responsible investment in environmental protection.
The minister’s call for expanded groundwater recharge comes amid growing concerns over Islamabad’s declining groundwater reserves, increasing water demand and the need for more sustainable management of the capital’s water resources.
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