KARACHI: Experts at the 6th Karachi International Water Conference have called for tackling the water crisis in the country with potential solutions and bringing about a positive change in this regard. This important two-day event not only shed light on critical water issues but also provided a platform for collaborative solutions and a renewed commitment to addressing the water crisis and climate discourse. The conference stood as a testament to the power of collective action in tackling pressing global challenges.
On the second day of the conference of Hisaar Foundation
, a panel discussion was held with the corporate sector and microfinance institutions on the topic ‘Making Water Economy Deliver: Moving People from Poverty to Prosperity’. Moderated by Simi Kamal, the session participants were Boo Hock Khoo, Chairman Infra Zamin, Nadir Gul Barech, Dr Allah Nawaz, and Fawad Soomro.
The discussion was also held on topic ‘Blue Economy Matters: Oceans, Wetlands, and Biodiversity’, which was chaired by Meher Marker Noshirwani showcasing a film on mangroves by Tariq Alexander Qaiser, a WWF presentation by Sohail Naqvi, and a keynote presentation by Dr Nuzhat Khan.
Another presentation and panel discussion focused on ‘SDGs Matter: National Stocktaking’. It was chaired by Tofiq Pasha and moderated by Durre Sameen, while panelists were Asim Khan, Wasik Ali Syed, Salima Hemani and Safraz Cheema.
After a tea break, an open dialogue on the topic ‘Café of the Unheard: New Voices Matter’, featuring six to seven sets of mentors and participants, highlighted water issues not often explored in mainstream discourse. The teams comprised Kazim Saeed and Suroor Ansari, Dr Pervaiz Amir and Kausar Hashmi, Mark Smith and Anique Azam, Mahim Mahar and Areba Syed, Dr Imran Ahmed and Moazzam Ahmed, Barbara Schreiner and Sabeen Rizvi, and Simi Kamal and Faryal Azam.
The seventh session took place after lunch in which three subjects were explored simultaneously. One subject was ‘Does Water Matter to Anyone in Karachi’. The debate on this topic was chaired by Dr Noman Ahmed and moderated by Afia Salam who expressed concern over Karachi’s water supply.
The government representatives, including Sulaiman Shakeel Qureshi, alongside Shoukat Alvi, offered their viewpoints while on the citizens’ side, voices were represented by Muhammad Toheed, Seema Taher Khan, Yasir Hussain, and Amber Ali Bhai.
A paper was also presented by Dr Lubna Ghazal on ‘Assessment of Drinking Water Crises in Karachi’. ‘Transformative Water Matters in Food Security: Wake Up Pakistan!’ was the other subject under scrutiny, which was chaired by Dr Mark Smith with keynote addresses by Dr Akissa Bahri, and Dr Mohsin Hafeez. The latter also moderated the panel discussion featuring Mehmood Nawaz Shah, Dr Robina Wahaj, Umer Karim, Dr Pervaiz Amir and Dr Aban Marker Kabraji.
The third simultaneous session was a panel discussion on ‘Synergizing Growth: Public Private Partnership Redefining Municipal Services’, which was moderated by Tauseef Lateef. Speakers included Fozia Parveen, Muhammad Rafi, Khalid Mehmood, Amir Iqbal, and Dr Shaikh Tanveer.
The Closing Plenary, ‘Water Matters for the Future’ was in two parts with the first part moderated by Zohair Ashir. It showcased Panjwani-Hisaar Water Institute (PHWI), and included the sharing of Simi Kamal’s vision with supporting implementation of the vision by Engro Foundation, speeches by Nadira Panjwani and Professor Dr Sarosh Lodi, VC NED University, and an MOU signing. The first part ended with an address by the chief guest, the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi.
The second part, moderated by Sanaa Baxamoosa included remarks by Dr Youssef Filali-Meknassi, Director UNESCO Pakistan, General Conrad, US Consul General, a Conference Declaration, and acknowledgments by Sanaa Baxamoosa. The conference culminated with a powerful rendition of “SOS from the Kids”, a song performed by KGS Middle Section choir, underscoring the urgency of addressing water-related challenges for the sake of future generations.