Islamabad: The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Islamabad has pledged to take proactive steps to promote water conservation and sustainability across Rawalpindi and Islamabad, amid growing concerns over environmental degradation and declining water resources in the twin cities.
Addressing a seminar titled “Jal Hai to Kal Hai” (If there is water, there is a future), Administrator DHA Islamabad Brigadier Najaf Abbas highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts to protect water sources, citing unregulated urban expansion as a major contributor to the drying up of rivers and natural streams once abundant in the 1980s.
Calling the current situation a “collective failure,” Brigadier Abbas said DHA Islamabad was committed not only to raising awareness but also to implementing actionable solutions. These include rainwater harvesting systems, community-led conservation programmes, and infrastructure support for greywater recycling, particularly in residential areas.
The seminar, hosted by DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi, brought together a panel of environmental and urban planning experts, climate scientists, and social advocates. Among the speakers were Dr. Naeem Shehzad, Ar. Ejaz Ahmed Qadri, Dr. Muhammad Azmat, Dr. Asif Riaz, Ms. Fatima Yamin, Ms. Bushra Iqbal Hussain, Zaheer Gardezi, and Engr. Khurram, who all emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in preserving water resources.
Speakers noted that Islamabad’s underground water levels have significantly declined over the past five years, warning of long-term consequences if corrective action is not taken. They advocated for the reuse of greywater and called for every home to be equipped with greywater recycling units as part of a broader vision for sustainable urban living.
The event was livestreamed on DHA Islamabad-Rawalpindi’s official Facebook page and concluded with a collective reaffirmation of commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
DHA Islamabad’s latest initiative is seen as part of a broader shift toward responsible urban planning and environmental accountability in one of Pakistan’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions.
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