International Day Of Peace Observed

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -21st Sept,2016) : The U.S - Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCAS-W) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET) Jamshoro Wednesday observed International Day of Peace like other parts of the country.

In this connection, the Society of Water Managers (SWM) of the Centre organized a seminar on 'Water and Peace' following the theme for this year- "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the building blocks of the peace".

The General Manager (Transition) Sindh Irrigation Drainage Authority (SIDA) Nazeer Essani while addressing the participants said that water is both challenge as well as an opportunity to bring peace.

He said that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are building blocks for peace and through the implementation of 17 SDGs, the world can be changed by keeping the poverty and hunger at distance.

He said that since water has political dynamics as well, therefore it is potential and real source of conflict among many countries in the world. He said: "We have been witnessing wars and conflicts in middle East in which oil is perceived as major source of conflict, however in reality it is water behind all these conflicts".

He further revealed that 56 percent of Sindh province is out of canal command and therefore the major portion of the land in the province is not irrigated properly.

He said that Indus Water Treaty of 1960 took 10 years to get Pakistan and India agreed on the water distribution decision and it showed the importance of the water between the both nations.

The project director of USPCAS-W Dr. Bakhshal Khan Lashari in his welcome address said that water and peace are equally important and interconnected in various development dimensions. He said that use of water has multiple development purposes, whereas agriculture is one of the Primary contributors in the economy of the country.

He further said that USPCAS-W is producing water managers and leaders who are capable to contribute in the solutions of water related challenges faced by Pakistan today. He appreciated United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the University of Utah USA for providing financial and technical support to this centre respectively.

The seminar was followed by the speeches and picture competition among students on the given theme in which students Farhan Wahid, Vipin Kumar Oad, Nabeel Ali, Faris Ahmed, Uzma Jabeen, Sumra and other participated.