Experts emphasise to frame viable solutions for water conservation

Islamabad: During two-day conference on ‘Water Problems in Pakistan and their Solutions’ the experts and speakers from all over the country emphasized to frame viable solutions for water conservation in the country as the scarcity of water affecting the whole life cycle and social economic conditions of Pakistan.

The conference is being organised by Pakistan Nuclear Society (PNS) in collaboration with PAEC, PCRWR, PAS and PSF here in Islamabad.

At the inaugural session the General Secretary of PNS, Dr. Farhat Waqar thanked the distinguished guests, speakers and participants of the conference. She gave an overview of goals and objectives of PNS and role of PNS to promote awareness and understanding of the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in Pakistan. She told that PNS is regularly conducting seminars and lectures for the promotion of scientific achievements at national level.

Like many other countries of the world, pressure on water resources in Pakistan is increasing rapidly, which warrants to address the water issues at each level of the community. The best possible way is achieved by educating the entire society and formulation of an effective water policy and its ruthless implementations. This conference is encompassing the wide range of topics related to water like water and nuclear industry, water quality, water conservation, water users’ perspectives, water conservation and some other related cross-disciplinary areas.

At the inaugural speech of the conference, the President of PNS Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Chaudry said “Water availability, storage, supply and its quality are among the major or key issues, which the world is facing at present. With respect to Pakistan, water related issues have been highlighted by the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan needs to have a strategy to fully exploit viable sources of water and manage its storage, in order to ensure that the Pakistani population will be able to meet its water requirements, in the long-run.

He said that the Pakistan receives a fixed amount of water in form of rain every year while on the other hand its population is increasing day by day. It is said that 16 million people in Pakistan lack access to improved water. According to the Pakistan Social and Living Standard Measurement Survey 2010-2012 the sources of drinking water percentage in use are tap water 30.2 %, hand pump 28%, motor pump 27% dug well 4%, and others are 9%.

The chief guest Shams ul Mulk, former chairman WAPDA said that conference on water issues are need of the country as to discuss the modalities to take concrete steps to conserve water for next generation of the country. He said that Pakistan had never used its rights which were given under Indus River treaty.