WWF-Pakistan is thankful to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for his positive response to its Pakistan’s Waters at Risk campaign regarding water contamination in the country. WWF has demanded that Water Environmental Standards be developed and enforced, concerned agencies and industries be compelled to treat industrial and municipal wastewater and a National Water Quality Monitoring Commission be immediately established. The Prime Minister has agreed that a working group with representatives of both government and non governmental organisations be formed for implementing a regulatory framework to protect and improve the country’s water resources.

The Prime Minister, on 13th March, 2007, invited WWF and its campaign partners to help improve the deteriorating quality of drinking water. Participants of the meeting included Ali Habib, Director General WWF-Pakistan, Hammad Naqi, Director WWF-Pakistan, Dr Yasmeen Rashid, Chair Pani Pakistan, Nadeem Fazil, Country Director Action Aid, Roland D’Souza, Chair Shehri CBE and Ms Najia Rafiq, Manager Sungi Development Foundation.

The above civil society organisations launched a report, Pakistan’s Waters at Risk, at a press conference a month ago. Copies of the report were sent to many organisations including the Prime Minister. According to the report, deterioration in water quality and contamination of lake and river ecosystems and groundwater aquifers has resulted in increased water borne diseases and human health impacts.

WWF-Pakistan is hopeful that with the concern that the Prime Minister has shown steps will soon be taken to improve the situation.

Samman Ehsan
WWF – Pakistan
Ferozepur Road, Lahore.
Tel: +92 42 5862360, 5869429,
Fax: 042 5862358,
e-mail: publications@wwf.org.pk