KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday called for urgent and resolute measures for the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Sindh Water Policy to ensure a sustainable and water-secure future.

Speaking at the launch of the provincial water policy, he said that it was a call for collective action, a plea to safeguard the legacy of water for generations to come. “We must act now, urgently and resolutely, to implement the recommendations outlined in this document to secure a sustainable and water-secure future,” he said.

Mr Shah said that climate change, population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation were placing unprecedented strains on our freshwater sources. “Water, the essence of life, is a precious resource that sustains all living beings on our planet. We in Sindh are more sensitive due to its scarcity, unreliable flows and climate change events,” he said.

The programme, organised by the irrigation department, was attended by Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh, Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Livestock Minister Abdul Bari Pitafi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, water experts and leading growers.

Says freshwater sources are under strain, measures needed to ensure water-secure future

The chief minister said that the National Water Policy was approved in April 2018 and since then the need of having a policy document of our own for our indigenous issues and solutions was direly felt. “As our global population continues to grow and demand for water is increasing, it has become evident that effective water management and governance are of paramount importance,” he added.

He said that the challenges regarding water availability, distribution and quality were multifaceted and complex. The aspired water policy should help establish a harmonious balance between human needs, environmental preservation and economic development. “The vision of this policy document is not just to address water-related issues, but also to pave the way for a future in which water is recognised as a fundamental human right and a shared responsibility,” he said, and added that it emphasised the value of integrated water resource management, ensuring that water is managed holistically and sustainably, encompassing its social, economic and environmental dimensions.

According to the CM, by promoting water efficiency, recycling and reuse, the policy document aimed to minimise wastage and enhance water security in the face of increasing uncertainties. “It seeks to empower local communities and indigenous people, respecting their traditional knowledge and practices, and acknowledging their vital role in water conservation,” he said.

“As we embark on this journey, we must remember that change begins with each of us,” he said, adding that adopting responsible water practices in daily lives, supporting policies that protect water resources, and raising awareness about the importance of water conservation could make a difference.

“Together, let us forge ahead on this path of sustainable water management, leaving a legacy of prosperity, equity and resilience for generations to come,” he concluded.

Micro schools

Separately, speaking at the recently inaugurated Digital Micro School in Razzakabad, the CM said that over 12,500 children will be taught vital life skills of literacy and numeracy through the Accelerated Digital Learning Programme laucched by the Sindh Education Foundation (SEF).

He said that the project of digital education was taking the province another step closer to eradicating illiteracy.

Underlining the need for immediate solutions in the field of digital learning, the project would run for 18 months and then scale up, incorporating the lessons learnt during the pilot phase, the CM said, adding that two Micro Schools under the scheme had been established in Razzakabad.

As per the programme, 100 Micro Schools, along with 25 in-school digital classrooms, would be completed during the next year and then results would be measured for scaling up.

The government is investing Rs710 million into the programme to deploy 100 digital one-room Micro Schools and 25 digital classrooms in the existing FAS (foundation assisted schools) across Sindh.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2023