ISLAMABAD (Khyber Mail): The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a Dissemination Workshop on the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Policy and Water Bill for Balochistan in Quetta. The event gathered around 80 participants, including representatives from Balochistan’s irrigation, agriculture, forestry, and livestock departments, media professionals, and local and international NGOs.
The IWRM Policy and the Balochistan Water Bill, developed with FAO’s technical assistance and funded by the World Bank under the Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management and Development Project (BIWRMDP), aim to modernize water governance in the province. These initiatives seek to establish a comprehensive legal framework for sustainable and equitable water resource allocation, enhance institutional capacity, promote gender-inclusive water management practices, and develop robust monitoring and evaluation systems.
Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, described the IWRM Policy and Water Bill as milestones for Balochistan, laying the foundation for sustainable and equitable water governance.
Waleed Mahdi, International Program Coordinator and Head of Office at FAO Balochistan, highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative, emphasizing the strong partnership between the Government of Balochistan, FAO, and the World Bank.
Dr. Robina Wahaj, Senior Land and Water Officer at FAO, explained that the policy and water bill provide a comprehensive framework for modern water management practices, climate change adaptation, and environmental protection. The Bill addresses both surface and groundwater resources, ensuring unified water management under one legal framework.
The workshop facilitated in-depth discussions on the policy and bill, with participants offering valuable insights and feedback. The IWRM Policy has been endorsed by the Chief Minister of Balochistan and is set to be presented to the Cabinet for final approval. The Water Bill is undergoing final vetting and will be presented to the Provincial Assembly for deliberation and enactment.