RAWALPINDI: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday said water was a key to socio-economic development of a country and emphasised the need for conserving it.

They said in 1947 Pakistan`s water capacity per person was 5,600 cubic which has now reduced to only 900 cubic per person and country is heading towards water stress country.

The seminar was organised by Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi in connection with World Water and Forest Day.

They stressed to startliteracy programmes focusing attention on importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources.

Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif was the chief guest while Dr.

Shamsul-Mulk, former Wapda chairman, was among the speakers.

Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, said the government was committed to resolving water and forest issues.

He informed the audience that the government had increased the budget to Rs2 billion under Green Pakistan Project and under this project 100 million trees would be planted in the country.He further stated that Pakistan was among the five countries in the world that had passed the Climate Change Act. He also elaborated on the importance of water in the light of Quran and Sunnah and highlighted the role of government in improving water and forest related issues.

Dr. Shamsul-Mulk, former Wapda chairman, said that Pakistan possesses the largest water drain system in the world, and it was difficult to understand how a country with such resources is poor.

He was of the view `Pakistan`s rulers should take up concrete projects for the country. Students and civil society will have to play a crucial role in creating a larger consensus, as larger water reservoirs will benefit every Pakistani,` he added.

He said that government should address water crises on urgent basis and it should be the part of manifesto of every political party in the country.

Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of the Arid University, informed the gathering that the university had become a role model for federal and provincial governments` institutions in the field of rain water harvesting system.

He said that water is key element for socio-economic development of country. He also emphasized on the conservation of water from household to farm level.