SUBNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON NATIONAL WATER POLICY

On December 4^th 2018, an extensive dialogue discussion, co-convened by Centre for Water Informatics & Technology (WIT), based at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in collaboration with Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change held a Dialogue Discussion, the topic being, Subnational Perspectives on National Water Policy. This event was held in accordance to National Water Policy that came into being on April 23^rd 2018.

The objective of the dialogue was to create a platform for all the involved and interested parties and create mutual understanding as stated by the National Water Policy (NWP) from the outset, awards the Provinces a significant role in setting the direction for, and the actual implementation of the policy. In its preamble, the policy states that ‘it is a national framework within which the provinces can develop their master plans for sustainable development and management of water resources’, given that irrigation, agriculture, rural and urban water supply, environment and other sub-sectors are provincial subjects.

Pro-Chancellor LUMS, Syed Babar Ali was present at the event to provide his intellectual insight on the dialogue topic along with acknowledgement for this venture. The event included participants from all the involved sectors, both private and public, which included Dr Ishrat Hussain, Advisor to PM on institutional Reforms and Austerity, Dr. Abid Bodla, Member Infrastructure Development from Punjab Planning and Development Board, Mr. Khalid Mohtadullah, Senior Water Expert, Mr. Habib Ullah Bodla from Punjab Irrigation Department and Ms. Sana Khalid from Agriculture Delivery Unit, Agriculture Dept. of Pakistan.

Patchamuthu Illangovan from the World Bank Group was also present at the event. Moreover, active participation was experienced from Nestle Pakistan, Coca-Cola Company, CPEC, WAPDA, Abdus Salam Foundation and IWMI.