Despite ample rainfall, the communities of Murree and Kotli Sattian have long suffered from acute water scarcity, a paradox created by challenging geographical conditions and tourism pressures. The first phase of a year-long joint project has now concluded on Wednesday, successfully employing education to promote rainwater harvesting and sanitation as a key climate-resilient solution for the water-stressed districts.
The initiative, titled “Community Mobilization and WASH Education under Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Murree District,” was a joint effort by the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development and the NED University of Engineering and Technology. A closing ceremony was held at AKU’s Karimabad campus to mark the successful completion of its initial phase.
The educational component complemented a broader programme by the Government of Punjab’s Urban Unit, which installed safe storage and filtration systems for rooftop rainwater harvesting in over 1,100 households. The area’s hilly and sloped terrain, rapid water runoff, and limited infrastructure have historically compounded water challenges.
Focusing on school-based education, practical demonstrations, and community engagement, the project fostered improved hygiene practices, water conservation, and environmental responsibility. The educational strategy directly reached 4,726 students and 220 community members, demonstrating the effectiveness of an awareness-driven approach.
Dr Fauziah Parveen of the Aga Khan University highlighted the unique opportunity to work with partners like the government and Suthra Punjab. ‘In the next phase, we will establish a water quality lab in Kotli Sattian focusing on citizen science,” she said, adding, “Our goal is to translate the knowledge and experiences gained into actionable recommendations for policymakers.”
The project leads, Dr Parveen and Dr Abdul Ghaffar of NED University, reiterated their commitment to partnership for Phase II. A key component of this next phase is the establishment of a water quality lab in Kotli Sattian, which will be under the purview of the Aga Khan University.
Attendees at the closing ceremony included representatives from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), educational stakeholders, and senior university officials such as Dr Salim Virani, Vice Provost Research AKU, and Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean IED.
The initiative is a notable example of local partnerships creating sustainable and effective Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) solutions in Pakistan. The organizers thanked the Government of Punjab’s Urban Unit for providing the opportunity to lead the educational campaign in this region.