ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik has called for a major expansion of groundwater recharge initiatives in Islamabad to address the continued depletion of the capital’s underground water reserves.
Addressing an event titled “Protecting Islamabad’s Aquifers” at the USEFP Auditorium, the minister said around 200 groundwater recharge wells had been constructed across the capital as part of an important pilot initiative, but stressed that the programme needed to be significantly scaled up.
Dr Musadik said the recharge interventions had produced an estimated 0.4-millimetre increase in the groundwater table, against an overall decline of around 1.5 metres, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing Islamabad’s aquifers.
He stressed that groundwater recharge efforts must be expanded to a level capable of substantially reducing depletion and eventually reversing the declining trend.
The minister described the recharge-well programme as an important achievement but cautioned that it should not be regarded as the final solution to Islamabad’s growing groundwater crisis. He called for a broader and more integrated approach to managing both surface and groundwater resources.
Dr Musadik also highlighted the need for improved water management following recent heavy rainfall in Islamabad, saying approximately 200 millimetres of rain had been recorded in the capital.
Several areas were affected by flooding, he said, adding that relevant authorities and organizations had been directed to take necessary measures in response to the situation.
The minister also expressed concern over water quality and highlighted the operation of water treatment facilities in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He said the treatment plants were helping reduce contamination in treated water while emphasizing the need for sustained attention to water quality and safe water management.
Dr Musadik also raised concerns over prolonged delays in establishing an additional water treatment plant. He said the project had remained pending for several years despite repeated tendering efforts.
According to the minister, progress has now been made on the project, with the tendering process currently under way. He noted that delays in development projects were not unique to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and remained a broader challenge across government departments.
The minister also discussed Pakistan’s wider water security interests and the importance of international treaties and legal mechanisms in protecting the country’s water resources.
He stressed that respect for international agreements was essential for regional stability and for safeguarding the rights of countries dependent on shared water resources. Pakistan, he said, would continue to protect its water interests while supporting a rules-based international system.
Dr Musadik further announced that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination had established a Clean Environment Fund, which would facilitate private-sector participation and due diligence in supporting environmental initiatives.
The minister’s call for expanded groundwater recharge comes as Islamabad faces growing pressure on its aquifers, underscoring the need for sustainable water management, rainwater harvesting, recharge infrastructure and stronger protection of the capital’s water resources.
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