Federal Minister Musadik Malik Calls for Scaling Up Groundwater Recharge to Protect Islamabad’s Aquifers

Islamabad, September 1, 2026 — Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik has called for a major expansion of groundwater recharge initiatives in Islamabad, warning that the capital’s underground water reserves continue to decline despite an existing pilot programme. Speaking at an event titled “Protecting Islamabad’s Aquifers” at the USEFP (United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan) Auditorium, the minister said around 200 recharge wells had already been constructed across the capital, but stressed that the initiative needed to be scaled up significantly to make a meaningful impact.

Background

Groundwater depletion has become an increasingly urgent concern in Islamabad, driven by rising population, urban expansion, and continued reliance on underground water sources for both domestic and institutional use. Managed aquifer recharge — the practice of deliberately directing water into underground aquifers to replenish depleted reserves — has emerged as one of the key tools cities worldwide are using to address this challenge, and Islamabad’s recharge-well pilot represents an early step in that direction.

Key Remarks

Dr Malik said the recharge interventions carried out so far had resulted in an estimated 0.4-millimetre rise in the water table, compared to a decline of approximately 1.5 metres recorded in the capital — a stark contrast that underscored, in his words, the need for far larger-scale measures to meaningfully reverse groundwater depletion. He described the recharge-well programme as an important achievement, but cautioned that it should not be viewed as a complete solution to Islamabad’s growing water challenges.

The minister also expressed support for legislative measures to promote groundwater recharge in new communities and housing schemes, as well as on building rooftops, framing such measures as essential for safeguarding communities and ensuring sustainable water availability going forward. He reiterated the government’s continued support for initiatives aimed at protecting Islamabad’s aquifers and improving broader water management in the capital.

Broader Water Concerns

Beyond groundwater recharge, Dr Malik raised concerns about water quality in the twin cities, noting that treatment facilities currently operating in Rawalpindi and Islamabad help reduce contamination in treated water, though continued attention to water quality remains necessary. He also flagged delays in establishing an additional water treatment plant for the capital, pointing to broader institutional bottlenecks — including within the Capital Development Authority (CDA) — that have affected the pace of water infrastructure development.

On a related note, the minister underscored the importance of safeguarding Pakistan’s broader water interests through international treaties, legal mechanisms and a rules-based international system, stressing that adherence to international agreements is essential for regional stability and for protecting the rights of countries dependent on shared water resources.

Conclusion

Dr Malik’s remarks highlight a persistent gap between Islamabad’s current groundwater recharge efforts and the scale of intervention needed to reverse the capital’s declining water table. While the 200-well pilot programme marks a meaningful first step, the minister’s comparison of a 0.4-millimetre rise against a 1.5-metre annual decline makes clear that far more ambitious action — spanning legislative reform, expanded recharge infrastructure, and improved water treatment capacity — will be required if Islamabad’s aquifers are to be protected for the long term.