ISLAMABAD: With a growing population and depleting water resources making it difficult for the authorities to maintain sanitation standards, water and sanitation is one of the most pressing modern-day challenges for Pakistan.

At the inaugural session of the National Convention on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) on Saturday, speakers called for the rational use of water so future generations do not face water scarcity.

Pakistan’s water profile has changed drastically, going from a water abundant nation to one experiencing water stress.

The three-day convention has been organised by the Working Group on Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, including the Water and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSCC) and donor organisations. It brings together policymakers, practitioners and development partners working to devise solutions to issues related to the Wash sector in Pakistan.

Speakers at the inaugural ceremony said that if behaviours towards the conservation of water do not change and laws and policies are not put firmly into effect the country will soon face food insecurity, drought and a lack of clean drinking water.

Among the speakers were Sindh Local Government Department Wash Deputy Programme Director Khurram Arsalan, former Capital Development Authority (CDA) member engineering Shahid Sohail, Sindh Planning and Development Department SDG unit head Dr A.G. Sajnani, economist and Balochistan SDG unit sector analyst Saman Bakhtiar, Punjab SDG unit project manager Shahzad Khalil and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa SDG unit official Mohammad Ali Raza.

The experts shared their experiences and the lessons they had learned working towards improving the situation of water and sanitation through targeted policymaking and governance reform to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Factors that have amplified the water issue include rapid urbanisation, improved living standards, sharp increases in demand, weather patterns and climatic changes, they said. As a result, Pakistan is facing serious challenges fulfilling international commitments under the Millennium Development Goals and SDGs.

The convention focused on the role of local governments, who have the onus to deliver municipal services in urban and rural areas. Another session critically reviewed the link between large infrastructure – i.e. the construction of dams – and the impact of water accessibility.

On Sunday, sessions will focus on menstrual health management issues, such as mainstreaming in educational institutions through policymaking.

On the final day, the convention will host a debate on issues related to sanitation and waste management through focused policy reform.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2018