Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Malik chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review contamination concerns at Rawal Lake and to agree on immediate remedial steps. Senior federal and provincial officials attended, including Secretary Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Aisha Moriani, Secretary Ministry of Water Resources Syed Ali Murtaza, the Director General of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director General of Rawalpindi Development Authority and the Managing Director of WASA.
The briefing identified three primary inflows to Rawal Lake — the Korang, Lake View and Jinnah streams — and flagged untreated sewerage from nearby residential areas as a key source of pollution. Planning is underway to install three sewerage treatment plants at Simli Road, Bari Imam and Shadrah to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage into these inflows and reduce contamination of the lake.
Dr. Malik underlined that access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic right and said the Ministry will provide full facilitation and coordination even though it does not directly manage water supply or sewerage services. He stressed the need for evidence-based intervention, calling for precise data to guide remedial designs and timelines.
The Federal Minister directed the EPA and WASA to carry out comprehensive water quality testing at multiple points along inflows and outflows of Rawal Lake to map sources, entry points and the extent of contamination. Officials were asked to prioritise sampling, laboratory analysis and rapid reporting so that remedial measures are based on clear evidence.
Highlighting public health risks, Dr. Malik asked, “We must ask ourselves whether this is water we are comfortable feeding to our children”, urging urgent action to protect residents of Islamabad and surrounding areas. He also called for strengthened coordination between federal and provincial departments to fast-track construction and commissioning of the planned STPs.
Officials agreed to a coordinated timetable for testing, design and implementation, with the aim of restoring Rawal Lake water quality and ensuring provision of safe drinking water to the public at the earliest. Continued monitoring and inter-agency collaboration were emphasised as essential to prevent future contamination and safeguard the reservoir that serves Islamabad.
