Climate minister calls for scaling up groundwater recharge in Islamabad

September 02, 2026 (MLN):  The government has called for scaling up groundwater recharge initiatives in Islamabad, as officials warned that the capital's water table is falling far faster than recharge efforts can offset rising just 0.4 millimetres against a decline of around 1.5 metres.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik made these remarks while addressing an event titled "Protecting Islamabad's Aquifers" at the USEFP Auditorium, said a press release issued.

Dr Musadik said close to 200 recharge wells had been built across Islamabad as a pilot initiative and described the project as an important achievement, though not a complete solution on its own.

He said the programme needed to be expanded substantially to curb depletion and eventually reverse the declining trend.

Turning to recent heavy rainfall in the capital, which he put at around 200 millimetres, the minister called for better management of both surface and groundwater.

He said several areas had been hit by flooding and that relevant authorities and organisations had been directed to respond.

On water quality, Dr Musadik said treatment facilities in Rawalpindi and Islamabad were helping cut contamination levels, though continued attention to quality was still needed.

He also flagged delays in setting up an additional water treatment plant, noting the project had remained pending for years despite repeated tendering rounds, and said such delays were not unique to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) but were seen across government departments.

He added that progress had recently been made, with the tendering process now under way.

The minister also spoke on protecting Pakistan's water interests, emphasising the role of international treaties and legal mechanisms in ensuring water security.

He said respect for international agreements was key to regional stability and to protecting the rights of countries reliant on shared water resources, adding that Pakistan would continue safeguarding its water interests within a rules-based international system.

Dr Musadik further noted that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination had set up a Clean Environment Fund to draw in private-sector participation and due diligence support for environmental initiatives, as part of a broader push to encourage innovation and private investment in tackling environmental challenges.

He also backed legislative measures to promote groundwater recharge in new housing schemes and communities, including on rooftops, and reiterated the government's commitment to protecting Islamabad's aquifers and strengthening water management.

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