On 20 November 2025, PCRWR in collaboration with UNESCO held a capacity building workshop at the PCRWR Regional Office in Lahore to strengthen the Science Policy Practice Interface (SPPI) for achieving Water Security in Pakistan. The event brought together representatives from academia, researchers, students, government departments, NGOs and the Civil Services Academy to work towards actionable solutions in the face of climate pressures on water resources.
Engr. Faakhar Raza, Regional Director PCRWR Lahore, welcomed participants and underscored the urgent need for broad multi-stakeholder collaboration to address Pakistan’s water challenges. He urged researchers, policymakers and field practitioners to align efforts and remain engaged in developing practical responses that improve water governance and resilience.
Engr. Muhammad Kashif Manzoor, Deputy Director PCRWR, delivered a detailed presentation on the SPPI framework, highlighting its role in bridging communication gaps between science and policy through knowledge exchange, capacity building and integrated water resource management. His presentation emphasized how focused collaboration can translate research into policies that strengthen Water Security, and it received positive feedback from participants keen to align their work with on-the-ground needs.
Participants contributed constructive recommendations throughout the discussions. Dr. Muhammad Aslam of the University of Lahore called for a concerted strategy to sensitize politicians and the bureaucracy on water priorities and their responsibilities in governance. He argued that political and administrative buy-in is essential for effective implementation of water policies.
Engr. Tariq Yameen, Chief Chemist at the Water Resources Zone, PID Lahore, reported that the WRZ has geo-tagged 1.4 million tubewells across Punjab and maintains extensive groundwater monitoring records. He noted persistent coordination gaps between end users and policymakers and urged better use of monitoring data to inform resource management and regulation.
Dr. Ghulam Zakir Hussain Sial, Director IRI PID Lahore, highlighted the value of establishing village-level water management mechanisms with inclusive stakeholder participation. He offered access to groundwater level and quality data collected through 5,000 piezometers installed across Punjab to support local planning and policy decisions.
Engr. Masood Ahmed from CEWRE UET Lahore stressed that university research must be issue-driven and aligned with policy frameworks that ensure legal backing and enforceable outcomes. CEWRE pledged support for collaborative, policy-relevant research. Engr. Mushtaq Ahmed Gill from SCAN urged academia to lead focused research initiatives and strengthen coordination with industry, while Mr. Mohsin Ali of the Punjab Rural Support Program emphasized involving local communities in water management design and implementation.
Dr. Muhammad Irshad observed that both technical and coordination gaps remain, insisting that policy development should be grounded in robust research. Syed Babar Zulfiqar of the Civil Services Academy recommended launching a national-level dialogue with legal backing to address inter-provincial water issues and stressed that consensus building should precede construction of new dams, alongside broader awareness campaigns on water conservation.
Engr. Faakhar Raza closed by thanking attendees for their engagement and reaffirming PCRWR’s commitment to advancing the SPPI approach. Participants left the workshop encouraged to pursue collaborative, evidence-based initiatives that strengthen Water Security across Pakistan.
