Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Minister for Irrigation, Riaz Khan, presided over a significant briefing session on Friday concerning the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) Program. The presentation was delivered by representatives from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), focusing on updating the minister about the program's advancements and governmental cooperation.
International Collaboration for Water Security
The IWMI delegation featured prominent water experts including Science and Policy Advisor Engr. Muhammad Naeem, WRAP Program Team Leader Engr. Kifayat Zaman, Water Resources Regulatory Authority Director General Murshid Khan, and Engr. Rooh-ul-Mohsin. During the meeting, Engr. Naeem highlighted IWMI's extensive history in Pakistan, noting the organization has been collaborating with the government since 1986.
Engr. Naeem elaborated that the WRAP Program, which receives support from the UK Government, aims to enhance water governance systems, improve water productivity, and build resilience against climate-related challenges. He emphasized that IWMI develops its priorities through close coordination with federal ministries, provincial departments, and development partners to inform evidence-based policies concerning water, food, and climate.
Provincial Implementation and Digital Transformation
Officials noted that ongoing WRAP initiatives align with directives recently issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister during a meeting with the Irrigation Department. As part of this alignment, substantial efforts are being made to digitize and create a comprehensive database documenting tube wells, small dams, and canal infrastructure throughout the province.
The program has selected Charsadda and Mansehra districts as pilot sites for initial activities. Engr. Naeem also drew attention to the strategic importance of groundwater resources while highlighting emerging challenges such as depletion and declining water quality that require immediate attention.
Institutional Partnerships and Technical Progress
Providing an operational update, Engr. Kifayat Zaman informed the minister about program activities within the province. He revealed that IWMI has signed four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Irrigation Department, Agriculture Department, Hazara University Mansehra, and the University of Engineering and Technology Mardan.
These agreements aim to strengthen institutional coordination, enhance research partnerships, and boost technical collaboration. Engr. Zaman added that IWMI has installed flux towers in Mardan and Mansehra and deployed flow gauges in Charsadda to monitor water resources effectively.
Engr. Rooh-ul-Mohsin confirmed that IWMI, the Irrigation Department, and other relevant departments will continue participating in training sessions and field operations under the WRAP Program. He also acknowledged IWMI's instrumental role in supporting the development of rules and regulations under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Water Act.
Minister Riaz Khan commended IWMI's dedicated efforts and expressed satisfaction with the WRAP Program's progress. He directed all concerned departments to maintain close coordination with IWMI to strengthen the provincial water system and encourage innovation in water resource management. The minister further emphasized the need to expand the WRAP Program to additional water-stressed districts to ensure long-term sustainability of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's precious water resources.
