ISLAMABAD:Australia is keen to collaborate with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on water resources management in Pakistan, said Dr. Imran Khalid, Head, Pakistan Water Security Initiative Project
Addressing a seminar on the topic of “Water problems of Pakistan” at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), he said that Australia was taking steps to resolve the water problems of Farash Town Islamabad and James Town Rawalpindi under the ‘Pakistan Water Security Initiative Project (2021-2025)’.
He said that around 475 rainwater harvesting systems and water filtration plants have also been installed in that regard.
He said, “We want to work with the students and faculty members of AIOU to improve the water system of Pakistan.”
Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmed Arshad presided over the seminar which was hosted by Chairperson, Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Sofia Khalid. Dr. Zahidullah and Dr. Samia Qadeer were also present.
Syed Shuja Haider and Farah Nadeem represented Pakistan Water Security Initiative Project.
This project is being run mutually by WWF Pakistan, Water Management Institute Pakistan, Hydrology and Risk Consulting, Australia.
Dr. Irshad Ahmed Arshad said that apart from cooperation for water problems and solutions in Pakistan, there is also a need to design and run awareness campaigns at the national level.
While congratulating Dr. Sofia Khalid, he said that such activities will raise awareness among children about water issues and water conservation.
Dr. Sofia Khalid introduced the Department of Environmental Sciences. She said that “We are offering MSc and four-year BS programs in Environmental Science very successfully, but as per the policy of the Higher Education Commission, the MSc program is being discontinued whereas MPhil and P. HD programs will be offered soon.
Dr. Imran Khalid said that an agreement was signed between the government of Pakistan and Australia to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on the management of urban water resources.