chatter matter
Access to clean drinking water is not a privilege - it’s a basic human right. Yet in many parts of Pakistan, especially remote mountainous regions, access remains scarce. For countless families, especially women and children, daily routines revolve around long treks to fetch unsafe water from distant, unreliable sources.
Recognising this urgent need, the Dawood Global Foundation has launched ‘Aab-e-Nemat’ - a clean water initiative that promises more than hydration; it promises hope. The project, spearheaded by Tara Uzra Dawood under the foundation’s Ladiesfund platform, began in Skardu, a breath-taking yet underserved area in northern Pakistan.
“Aab-e-Nemat, which means ‘blessed water,’ is about far more than boreholes - it’s about empowering communities,” said Tara. “This is innovation led by compassion: solar-powered wells, built with local input and designed to last for decades.”
In its first phase, 11 solar-powered water stations have been installed in high-need areas across Skardu, including Hargisa Toq, Eidgah, and Ghazi Nuhalla. Each borehole provides clean water through five community taps, reaching over 5,300 people and three schools. The impact is already evident - less time spent fetching water, fewer waterborne illnesses, and more children, especially girls, returning to classrooms.
Six of these boreholes were completed in partnership with Dubai-based ‘Impact Adventures’ and ‘Fathers & Kids Camping’, who brought over 40 international volunteers to Skardu. These families not only helped build the wells, but also immersed themselves in the community - creating a powerful model for sustainable tourism and cross-cultural connection.
“This is how real change takes root,” said Smira Ahmed, a volunteer team leader. “With hands in the soil, hearts in the mission, and communities leading their own transformation,” added Smira.
Princess of Skardu, Nazia Raja Jaffer, praised the effort, stating, “We are honoured to see national and global forces come together. Aab-e-Nemat will uplift generations.”
With the Skardu model proving successful, plans are now underway to scale the initiative nationwide, targeting 100 additional solar-powered water boreholes across the country.
Water is life. And with Aab-e-Nemat, communities are not just receiving it - they are reclaiming it.
- You! desk