The Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila organized a Seminar on Water Security issues on 17th February, 2011 in the Conference Hall, Administration Block. The following distinguished speakers were invited

1. Syed Naseer Ahmad Gillani, Chief, Water Section, Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
2. Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Marri, Member Infrastructure, Planning Commission, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.

The Seminar started with the recitation from the Holy Quran.

In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor thanked the distinguished speakers for taking time out of their busy life and coming to UET Taxila to share their knowledge and experience with faculty and students.

The Vice Chancellor stressed upon the need for realizing the hydropower potential of the country. In his address, he mentioned that there is an elevation difference of almost 2200 meters between the northern areas (upper Indus basin) and mean sea level (south of the country) which has been lying untapped for years. So instead of creating a giant project like Kalabagh, a number of small hydel projects can be started at a number of locations. It will help the country increase electricity generation through the cheapest mode.

In his address, Mr. Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Marri highlighted the importance of developing an optimum growth strategy, free of any economic constraints that would lead to the recovery of the current economic situation of the country. He also described the important issues that need to be addressed for the development of a new growth strategy. He said that the quality of life within the country can only be improved if we have a system of quality governance, vibrant markets and creative cities together with energetic youths.

Mr Syed Naseer Ahmad Gillani, in his presentation elaborated various security issues that the country is facing at the moment and their possible impacts on the overall growth of the country. He stressed upon the fact that the per capita water availability in Pakistan has gone down to only 1038m3 till last year from 5260m3 at the time of independence and if the trend continues, it will go further down to 809m3 by 2025, so until and unless we act now, we should be ready for the consequences. Mr. Gillani also highlighted the existing storage capacities of all the reservoirs within the country and the government’s plans for future projects.

In his concluding remarks, the Vice Chancellor again thanked the distinguished speakers for making the seminar a success. The seminar ended with the presentation of University Souvenirs to the distinguished speakers.