Pakistan approves its first national water policy

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, center, along with four Chief Ministers signed the “Pakistan Water Charter” pledging commitment to the National Water Policy. (Photo courtesy: PID)
Updated 26 April 2018
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Pakistan approves its first national water policy

  • The implementation of National Water Policy (NWP) will be undertaken through a national level body
  • NWP includes the water uses and allocation of priorities and a board framework about country water needs

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s four provincial chief ministers unanimously approved the country’s first National Water Policy (NWP) this week at a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting this week.

The agreement was reached as the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the 37th CCI meeting at Prime Minister’s Office on April 24.

The policy was drawn up following consultation with all major stakeholders and a national level consultative seminar was also held to reach a consensus.

Chief Minister Punjab Mohammed Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak, Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo attended the meeting along with federal ministers and senior officials.

Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan Sartaj Aziz briefed the CCI on draft National Water Policy (NWP) of Pakistan.

NWP includes the water uses and allocation of priorities, integrated planning for development and use of water resources, environmental integrity of the basin, impact of climate change, transboundary water sharing, irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, drinking water and sanitation, hydropower, industry, ground water, water rights and obligations, sustainable water infrastructure, water-related hazards, quality management, awareness and research, conservation measures, legal framework and capacity building of water sector institutions.

The PM’s office said: “The CCI was briefed that implementation of NWP will be undertaken through the National Water Council (NWC) to be chaired by the Prime Minister and comprising of federal ministers for water resources, finance, power, planning development and reforms with all provincial Chief Ministers as members.

“The NWC shall oversee the implementation of NWP and a steering committee, headed by the federal minister for water resources, will monitor the implementation with representatives from federal and provincial governments and concerned departments,” Prime Minister Office said in statement.


Fourth Palestine Action activist ends hunger strike in UK prison

Protesters take part in a demonstration in support of "Defend Our Juries" and their campaign against the ban on Palestine Action
Updated 24 December 2025
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Fourth Palestine Action activist ends hunger strike in UK prison

  • Amy Gardiner-Gibson began eating again after 49 days of protest
  • Govt rejects claims it ignored prison safety protocols

LONDON: A fourth Palestine Action activist imprisoned in the UK has ended her hunger strike.

Amy Gardiner-Gibson, who also uses the name Amu Gib, began eating again after 49 days of fasting, the campaign group Prisoners for Palestine said.

Qesser Zuhrah, another activist, ended her hunger strike last week after 48 days but said she might resume it next year, Sky News reported.

Four Palestine Action activists have now ended their hunger strikes while in prison, while four others are continuing to fast.

All of them are in prison on remand, awaiting trial for a series of high-profile alleged break-ins and criminal damage.

Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organization and banned earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested in central London at a rally in support of the hunger strikers.

The protesters are demanding that weapons factories in Britain with ties to Israel be shut down, as well as the removal of Palestine Action’s proscription.

They are also calling for immediate bail to be given to imprisoned pro-Palestine activists and an end to the alleged mistreatment of prisoners in custody.

Seven imprisoned members of Palestine Action have been transferred to hospital over the course of the hunger strike campaign. Doctors have highlighted concerns about the long-term impact of fasting on the activists.

Lawyers representing the group on Monday initiated legal action against the government over its alleged failure to follow prison safety regulations.

The government, however, has rejected this accusation, Sky News reported.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Ministers do not intervene in individual cases. Where individuals are on remand, doing so would risk prejudicing ongoing legal proceedings and undermine the independence of the justice system.

“Concerns about welfare and process can be raised through established legal and administrative channels, including prison governors and ultimately the prison and probation ombudsman.

“Healthcare decisions are taken independently by qualified NHS professionals and appropriate care and oversight frameworks remain in place.”

The activists still on hunger strike include Heba Muraisi and Teuta Hoxha. Hoxha has been on remand for 13 months and her family told Sky News they feared she would die in prison.

Another of the activists, Kamran Ahmad, is believed to have been on hunger strike for 45 days and hospitalized three times.

Lewie Chiaramello, who has Type 1 diabetes, is on day 31 of his strike and taking part by fasting every other day.