President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said World Water Day was celebrated every year throughout the world on March 22 for public awareness about judicious use and conservation of water.
“I am pleased that Pakistan has also joined the international community today to raise awareness of the challenges in sustainable management of freshwater resources,” the president said in his message on the Word Water Day.
He said the call this year on World Water Day – “Water, Water Everywhere, Only if We Share” – was most appropriate to promote cooperation at all levels in managing the dwindling drinking water resources. “Heeding the call for conservation and judicious utilisation of water and sharing it with others is a catalyst for promoting peace and development and for protecting the environment.”
Zardari said ensuring access to safe drinking water had been accorded very high priority by the government of Pakistan. “Statistics indicate that Pakistan is well on the track to meet its drinking water targets, set under the Millennium Development Goals, by 2015. This has been made possible by increased public spending on drinking water resources and management by the Government despite serious economic constraints.”
He said the government had also devised National Drinking Water Policy and National Drinking Water Standards. “The policy places special emphasis on establishment of new drinking water systems, upgrading of existing schemes, water conservation, quality improvement, water treatment and on water sector Management Information System.”
He said it was reassuring that the Ministry of Climate Change was coordinating with the provincial governments the implementation of this policy.
“I take this opportunity to reiterate continued commitment of the government of Pakistan in ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water for all and to promote greater international cooperation around water. I also compliment the Ministry of Climate Change for taking this initiative to raise awareness about cooperation around water in the country,” he said.