The Panjwani-Hisaar Water Institute (PHWI) is a collaborated effort of NED University, Panjwani Charitable Foundation and Hisaar Foundation. The PHWI aims to stimulate and inculcate innovative water education, research and training that is multidisciplinary in nature and integrates the currently isolated nodes of engineering and social science in Pakistan’s water sector, and which recognizes all the linkages between water users, water uses and different stakeholder groups to promote informed policy and actions at all levels.
PHWI has successfully completed its first academic progarmme on ‘WATER LAW’, a comprehensive course spread over 5 days (18 hours) from 30th August to 3rd September 2019. It was attended by 40 participants who were lawyers, water practitioners, researchers, journalists and policy makers. The course was designed for professionals to understand the existing legal environment around water (international, national, provincial and local) and implications for water governance, management and conservation in Pakistan.
As a part of the proceedings of the course, a seminar was held at Marriott Hotel where the PHWI academic programme was inaugurated by Dr. Arif Alvi, the President of Pakistan.
Advocate Ahmad Rafay Alam (Expert in Environmental Law), Dr. Noman Ahmed (Architect and Urban Planner) and Ms. Simi Kamal (Water Specialist) were the renowned trainers of the water law course while Advocate of the Supreme Court Mr. Feisal H Naqvi gave lecture on Indus Water Treaty, disputes and arbitration and eminent Dr. Hassan Abbas (Chairman ZIZAK (pvt) ltd and former UNESCO Chair on IWRM) talked about water infrastructure, relevant laws and Indus delta. A field trip to Dhabeji pumping station and Pipri treatment plant of KWSB was also organized to learn about Karachi water supply relate to lecture by Dr. Noman, look out for the legal angles in urban scenario and identify legal gaps. The best assignment was given to Mr. Muhammad Arfan and he received free registration to the 4th Karachi International Water Conference in November. The event was concluded on Certificate Distribution Ceremony by Vice Chancellor of NED, Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodi and closing remarks given by Dr. Noman Ahmed.
