Islamabad: In a pivotal meeting presided by Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the committee critically addressed the ongoing pollution issues at Rawal Dam and the failure of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to implement necessary environmental safeguards. The polluted water from the dam, which is supplied to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, poses a significant public health risk due to its contamination with sewage and toxic substances.

According to Senate of Pakistan, Senator Rehman expressed deep concern over the CDA’s inaction and the delay in establishing sewage treatment plants, despite ongoing discussions and tender processes spanning three years. She highlighted the urgency of resolving the pollution crisis, questioning the continuation of contaminated water supply to the residents. To tackle these issues, a sub-committee led by Senator Shahzaib Durrani has been tasked with inspecting the pollution levels at Rawal Dam and delivering a detailed report on their findings.

The meeting also addressed the broader implications of climate change on Pakistan, emphasizing the need for urgent and coordinated action. Senator Rehman called for increased transparency from the CDA regarding the financial and operational aspects of desilting the dam and proposed the initiation of the “Recharge Rawal” project to halt toxic runoff into the water body.

Furthermore, Senator Rehman directed attention towards the necessity of integrating climate change issues more prominently within national policies and stressed the importance of provincial cooperation in adhering to international environmental standards such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.

The committee’s discussions also extended to the national strategy on renewable energy and fossil fuels, with a focus on ensuring sustainable practices are integrated into Pakistan’s industrial and economic policies. The session concluded with a strong call to action from Senator Rehman, urging immediate and effective measures to combat the environmental challenges faced by the country, with a particular emphasis on enhancing community resilience to climate impacts.