PESHAWAR: A high-level meeting on Monday reviewed the growing challenge of water depletion and finalised a comprehensive strategy for groundwater recharge across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah chaired the meeting, which decided that all new PC-Is must include a groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting feature to cater for the issue of water depletion in a sustainable manner.

The local government department will incorporate this requirement into its building by-laws, making recharge structures compulsory for new buildings.

To set a practical example, all deputy commissioners have been directed to ensure implementation of at least one groundwater recharge building in their respective districts.

Similarly, water and sanitation services companies and tehsil municipal administrations will initiate dedicated recharge projects in areas where water stress is more pronounced. They would identify flood-prone urban areas and make arrangements for rainwater harvesting to store water and groundwater recharge.

The chief secretary said that the government was committed to addressing water scarcity through scientific and modern methods. He added that the initiative will be further expanded in the coming months. “There is a need to store monsoon water. The initiative may be widely implemented before the next monsoon season.”

Emphasising the need for collective action, he said public awareness on water conservation is essential, and the campaign for groundwater recharge will only succeed with active citizen participation.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026