Communities in Murree and Kotli Sattiyan have benefited from a year-long initiative focused on improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene awareness and promoting rooftop rainwater harvesting as a climate-resilient solution in water-stressed areas.
The project, titled Community Mobilisation and WASH Education under Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting in Murree District, was formally concluded at a closing ceremony hosted by the Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development in collaboration with NED University of Engineering and Technology. The ceremony took place at AKU’s Karimabad campus.
Despite receiving high annual rainfall, Murree and Kotli Sattiyan continue to face chronic water shortages. Steep terrain leads to rapid runoff, while tourism pressure and limited infrastructure strain local water systems. To address these challenges, the Urban Unit of the Government of Punjab initiated a rooftop rainwater harvesting programme that integrates safe storage and filtration systems.
During Phase I, more than 1,100 households were equipped with rooftop rainwater harvesting systems. The intervention was supported by community education and awareness activities led by AKU’s Institute for Educational Development and NED University. Through school-based learning modules, practical demonstrations and community engagement sessions, the project strengthened hygiene practices, water conservation awareness and environmental stewardship.
The initiative directly engaged 4,726 students and 220 community members, demonstrating the impact of an education-led approach in promoting sustainable water management practices.
Dr Fozia Parveen of AKU said, “This project has offered a unique opportunity to work directly with the government. In phase one, we collaborated extensively with schools and partners such as Suthra Punjab. In the next phase, we will establish a water quality lab in Kotli Sattiyan with a focus on citizen science. Our goal is to translate these insights into actionable recommendations for policymakers.”
The closing ceremony was attended by representatives from the Aga Khan Development Network and education stakeholders from Karachi, along with officials from NED University and AKU. Among the attendees were Dr Salim Virani, Vice Provost Research at AKU, Dr Farid Panjwani, Dean of IED, and Arif Hasan. Project leaders Dr Fozia Parveen and Dr Abdul Ghaffar reaffirmed continued collaboration through Phase II, including plans to establish a Water Quality Laboratory in Kotli Sattiyan.
Organisers described the initiative as a strong example of local partnership delivering sustainable and climate-responsive WASH solutions in Pakistan. They also expressed appreciation to the Urban Unit, Government of Punjab, for entrusting them with the implementation of the project in Murree and Kotli Sattiyan.
The programme highlights how integrated infrastructure and education strategies can help build resilience in vulnerable regions facing growing water security challenges.
