Hamza Shahbaz inaugurates Rain Water Harvesting Programme at Murree

Lahore: Chairman Punjab Chief Minister’s Public Affairs Unit Hamza Shahbaz has said that we are initiating historic projects for prosperous future of new generations and each and every drop of water would be economically utilized for domestic and commercial consumptions by using best water conservations practices. He said that all water scarcity areas would be benefitted by implementing this strategy.

He stated this while inaugurating Rain Water Harvesting Programme at Murree on Friday. Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khakan Abbasi, The Deputy Chairman ERRA Maj. Gen. Azeem Asif, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Zahid Saeed, DG WATSON Zaheer Hussain Gardazi, Coordinator Federal Minister for Petroleum and National Resources, Hafiz Usman, Raja Ateeq Sarwar, Officers of local administration and notables attended the ceremony.

Hamza Shahbaz said that water conservation demo system is going to be installed at 30 government buildings in Murree which would be later expanded to other areas of Province. He said that government is committed to implemented development oriented programs with long term vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and mega projects of construction and remolding water reservoirs, water supply schemes, alternate energy projects were progressing speedily which would help to mitigate the sufferings of masses.

He also mentioned about initiatives of construction of parking plazas, identification of places for new cable car systems, preservation of forests in Murree.

He said that Rain Harvesting is a viable and cost effective programme to benefit the areas where water resources are very limited and the inhabitants were facing great hardships to meet their water requirements.

Hamza Shahbaz said that Murree is the unique hill station where thousands of tourists visits every year in both summer and winter seasons and local population also becomes victims of water scarcity despite of receiving heavy rains. He said Rain Harvesting Programme initiative is in-line with the objectives of Millennium Development Goals and Climate Change Policy of the Government aiming to save water resource and ensure water quality.

He said that all segments of society including policy makers would be make conversant with the technology and methods to utilize water resources efficiently. He said ERRA is providing all related technical assistance and expertise for successful implementation of Rain Water Harvesting Programme which has proved very positive and encouraging results.

Hamza Shahbaz Sharif said that it is priority of PML (N) government to fulfill the water needs of AJK and KPA earthquake hit areas and people would be benefitted with Rain Water Harvesting Programs and other development projects.

Federal Minister Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khakan Abbasi also addressed on the occasion and said that Rain Water Harvesting Programme would reduce pressure on water supply schemes which is a remarkable initiative of ERRA.

Addressing of the occasion, Deputy Chairman ERRA, Maj. Gen. Azeem Asif said that ERRA not only has be expertise in reconstruction and rehabilitation of disaster hit areas but has acquired expertise in indigence initiatives like, Rain Water Harvesting Programmes in collaboration with international partners.

During these years, ERRA along with international community has completed over 60000 earthquake resistance houses, over 9000 projects of infrastructure including road networks, bridges, schools and hospitals.  He said that 4000 similarly more projects are under construction using latest technology.

He said elaborated the role of ERRA for Reconstruction and Development and assured that in-line with development oriented policies of PML (N), ERRA will be an important role in future as well.  Earlier DG WATSON ERRA, Zaheer Girdazi briefed in detail about the project.