World Water Day observed

MINGORA: The speakers at a seminar on Thursday said hotels and houses situated near Swat River were polluting the river and urged the district and provincial governments to take steps to keep the river clean.

The Water and Sanitation Services Company (WSSC) had organised the seminar at the Swat Press Club in connection with the World Water Day.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheda Muhammad, chief executive officer, WSSC, said that 1600 million people in Pakistan do not have access to clean drinking water.

“Pakistan is in the list of those 10 countries where majority of the people are deprived of clean drinking water facility and are compelled to use contaminated water,” said Sheda Muhammad.

He added that unfortunately, being a nation Pakistanis are unaware of the importance of water and waste it.

“Politicians should play their role to create awareness among the masses about clean water,” stated City Nazim Ikram Khan.

He said that hotels and houses situated near River Swat are polluting the river. He urged the district and provincial governments to take steps to keep the river clean and punish those polluting it.

Earlier, a walk was arranged from the Nishat Chowk to the Swat Press Club to raise awareness about the importance of water.

The seminar was attended by Tehsil Nazim Ikram Khan, President Swat Traders Federations Abdul Rahim, members of the district assembly and civil society. 

March 22 is observed as World Water Day. According to the UN, the theme this year is to explore that how we can use nature to overcome the water challenges of the 21st century.

Our correspondent adds from Mardan: Water and sanitation services Mardan  arranged a walk in connection with World Water Day. The walk started from Bacha Khan Chowk and culminated at the Mardan Press Club.

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar on Thursday called upon stakeholders to strengthen academic linkages and networking for water and environment-friendly actions and research.

The seminar was organised at the Department of Environmental Sciences.

The department Chairman Prof Dr Hizbullah Khan underscored the need of exploiting water resources at the province.

He said that 30 percent river water is being used while the rest was discharged in the Arabian Sea.

He pointed out that the time has come to store water to raise irrigation supply and surface water table. He lamented that 70 tons of solid waste at University of Peshawar was not utilized for power generation.

Saeed Khan, head of Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar, said his institution was serving people 24/7 to give excellent water supply and sanitation services to city residents.

He further added that 250,000 water connections in Peshawar was the target for WSSP to achieve.

“A GSM system is operational to monitor employees’ efficiency and punctuality,” he said.

The official said that none of the four sewerage treatment plants in the city were operational.

He informed the participants that a wholesome dumping area was being located at Yaseenabad area of Surizai village with consultation of a Chinese company.

An expert from ARID University Rawalpindi, Dr. Muzamil Anjum, called upon academics to treat sludge sewerage through anaerobic mechanism.

He said this process would minimize sludge toxification, degradation and could be used for bio-energy production.