AFD to support Islamabad water projects through technical cooperation
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
The French Development Agency (AFD) has expressed interest in extending technical cooperation for multiple water sector projects in Islamabad, including initiatives aimed at improving water quality, enhancing storage capacity and addressing water shortages in the federal capital. The understanding was reached during a meeting between Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Sohail Ashraf, and AFD Country Director Marc Antoine, along with his delegation at …
The French Development Agency (AFD) has expressed interest in extending technical cooperation for multiple water sector projects in Islamabad, including initiatives aimed at improving water quality, enhancing storage capacity and addressing water shortages in the federal capital.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Sohail Ashraf, and AFD Country Director Marc Antoine, along with his delegation at the CDA Headquarters the other day.
The meeting was attended by CDA Member Planning and Design Muhammad Umair, DG Islamabad Water and other senior officers.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ongoing reforms and development projects in the water sector, with a particular focus on adopting sustainable solutions to ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean and safe drinking water to the residents of Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman CDA Sohail Ashraf said that the Authority was prioritizing modern and sustainable measures to improve the city’s water infrastructure.
He said that efforts were underway to prevent water wastage, reduce line losses and promote efficient water usage and conservation practices.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed upgrade and rehabilitation of the Simly Water Filtration Plant, including work on the main conduction pipeline from Simly Dam to address growing water demand in the capital.
Discussions were also held on expanding the storage capacity of Simly Dam, for which the AFD would consider providing full technical assistance.
The participants further reviewed progress on the Shahdara and Dotara dam projects, which are expected to help ensure an uninterrupted water supply and meet Islamabad’s future needs.
The AFD delegation said that their firm was committed to supporting clean water supply initiatives and addressing water scarcity challenges in Islamabad through technical cooperation. They informed that a comprehensive feasibility study would be conducted to assess the technical and financial viability of various proposed water projects in the city.
The Chairman of CDA reiterated that overcoming water scarcity and ensuring access to safe and quality water for citizens remained a top priority of the Authority.
Reference Link:- https://www.app.com.pk/national/afd-to-support-islamabad-water-projects-through-technical-cooperation/
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
