Housing Minister backs rainwater harvesting initiative to combat climate change and water scarcity

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SN Report

Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has said that the devastating impacts of climate change have already gripped Pakistan, exposing the country to increasingly frequent natural disasters and environmental challenges. The minister expressed these views during a meeting with renowned environmentalist and social activist Shahida Kausar Farooq, Chairperson of Subh-e-Nau (SN), who called on him to discuss climate resilience, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting measures. 

Speaking on the occasion, Pirzada said that climate change has created a dual challenge for Pakistan. On one hand, the country faces floods and unseasonal heavy rainfall, while on the other, recurring droughts are pushing communities toward food insecurity. He stressed the need for urgent and practical measures to address the growing environmental crisis.

The minister endorsed Shahida Farooq’s proposal to promote rainwater harvesting systems and said Pakistan must adopt innovative and sustainable approaches to water management. He emphasized that, alongside using water wisely, the country must accelerate efforts to conserve water resources and restore declining groundwater levels. “We will utilize the rooftops of major buildings under the Ministry of Housing and Works for rainwater harvesting, including the Federal Secretariat and other government buildings,” he said, adding that such measures would help improve water conservation and strengthen climate resilience. During the meeting, Shahida Farooq thanked the minister for his support and stressed that climate change and global warming must be understood as national challenges requiring collective action. She noted that Pakistan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with rising temperatures, melting glaciers, erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and growing pressure on the agricultural sector.

She said citizens should not leave the entire responsibility to the government and must also play their role by conserving water, planting more trees, and adopting environmentally responsible lifestyles. “Islamabad and many other parts of Pakistan are facing increasing water shortages. Rainwater harvesting offers a practical solution to improve water availability and reduce pressure on groundwater resources,” she added.

Shahida Farooq also briefed the minister on Subh-e-Nau’s ongoing advocacy efforts for environmental protection, climate resilience, public awareness, and sustainable living. She highlighted that SN has consistently promoted rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, water conservation, indigenous plantation, waste reduction, and community education through its campaigns, public outreach, media engagement, and monthly magazine. She said SN’s advocacy is rooted in practical nature-based solutions that can be adopted by households, institutions, and government departments to help Pakistan respond to climate change with urgency and responsibility. The federal minister appreciated Shahida Farooq’s environmental efforts and urged citizens to change their lifestyles in favour of sustainability. “There is still time for us to act and protect our future. Every citizen must contribute to tackling climate change and conserving precious natural resources,” he said. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to promoting rainwater harvesting as a practical and scalable climate adaptation measure, particularly in public buildings and urban areas facing increasing water stress.