Day 1: November 05, 2019
The International Conference on Water Security & Sustainability & Water Expo 2019 commenced with an inaugural session that set the stage for three days of in-depth discussions on the pressing issue of water security and sustainability in Pakistan.
Inaugural Session
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and a Naat Rasool e Maqbool, followed by the National Anthem. Mr. Kamran Saleem, Conference Secretary and Director of the National Alliance for Safe Food-Sindh, welcomed the participants with an address that emphasized the importance of the conference in addressing water security challenges in Pakistan.
Mr. Rana Awais Khan, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food Pakistan, provided an overview of the conference’s objectives, highlighting the critical need for sustainable water management practices. The inaugural session featured insightful talks on the “Blue Economy” and its potential in Pakistan by Dr. Asif Inam, Head of the School of Maritime Science at Bahria University, and Mr. Azeem Khan Kakar, Focal Person of the Chief Minister of Balochistan. Both speakers underscored the untapped opportunities in Pakistan’s maritime sector and the importance of harnessing these resources for sustainable development.
Further remarks were provided by Mr. Imtiaz Ali Abro, Director Operations of the Sindh Food Authority, Mr. Azhar Iqbal, Director of the Pakistan National Accreditation Council, and Mr. Uamr Omerson, Treasurer and Head of Programme at the Pakistan Food Association. Their contributions emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to manage water resources effectively.
The session concluded with addresses from Prof. Dr. Abid Hasnain, Director of Evening Programs at the University of Karachi and former Chairman of the Department of Food Science & Technology, and Agha Shahab Khan, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industries. The inaugural session was closed with a vote of thanks by Miss Neemi Siddique, Chief Organizer of the National Alliance for Safe Food, followed by a group photo and shield distribution.
Panel Discussion 01: Water Scenario; Are we heading Towards Disaster
The first panel discussion focused on the critical water scenario in Pakistan and the potential for disaster if current trends continue. Moderated by Mr. Usman Ghani, CEO of GuruMug, the discussion featured panelists such as Mr. Azeem Kakar, Eng. Sabir Ahmad, Mr. Imtiaz Ali Abro, Mr. Syed Ibrar Hussain, and Mr. Shakeel Baig. The panelists engaged in a robust dialogue on the challenges and potential solutions for Pakistan’s water crisis, highlighting the need for immediate action to prevent a looming disaster.
Day 2: November 06, 2019
Technical Session 01: Sustainable Water Management
The second day began with a technical session on Sustainable Water Management, chaired by Dr. Bakhshal Khan Lashari, Project Director at USPCAS-W, MUET Jamshoro. The session featured a series of presentations that covered a range of topics related to water conservation, management, and technology:
- Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal presented on “Water Conservation Techniques in Agriculture,” discussing innovative approaches to reduce water usage in agricultural practices.
- Dr. Kamran Ansari addressed the challenges of sustainable management of the Indus River in his presentation “Indus Water Sustainable Management and Its Challenges.”
- Dr. Abdul Latif Qureshi presented on “Canal Water Monitoring by ICT for Equal Water Distribution,” exploring the role of information and communication technology in ensuring equitable water distribution.
- Mr. Waqas Ahmed discussed “Groundwater Management by using ICT,” highlighting the use of technology in managing groundwater resources.
- Mr. Ghulam Hussain shared insights on “Precipitation Trends in the Upper Indus Basin,” analyzing weather patterns and their implications for water management.
- Ms. Uzma Imran presented on “Keenjhar Lake Water Quality Assessment and Valuing Ecosystem Services,” emphasizing the importance of preserving natural water bodies.
- Julius Gloeckner from Cerafiltec, Germany, discussed the “Importance of High-Performance Pre-treatment; Improving Filtration Process When Using RO for Higher Efficiency and Reduced Environmental Footprint.”
- Dr. Naveed Bhutto concluded the session with a presentation on “Power of Water – How to Save Water Helps to Prevent Malnutrition,” linking water conservation to broader public health outcomes.
Technical Session 02: Availability of Water and Its Quality & Treatment
The afternoon session, chaired by Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar, Deputy Director at USPCAS-W, MUET Jamshoro, focused on the availability of water and its quality and treatment. Presenters discussed various methods and technologies to improve water quality and ensure its availability:
- Dr. Rasool Bux Mahar addressed the “Water Quantity and Quality Challenges and Solutions,” providing an overview of current issues and potential remedies.
- Dr. Zubair Ahmed presented on “Canal/River Bank Filtration: An Economical and Effective Method for High-Quality Water Extraction from Canals/Rivers for Potable Uses.”
- Dr. Zeeshan Khatri discussed the “Application of Nanotechnology for Water Treatment,” exploring cutting-edge technologies in water purification.
- Dr. Muhammad Rizwan focused on “Point of Use (POT) Water Treatment,” presenting accessible water treatment solutions for everyday use.
- Dr. Zulifqar Mirani presented on the “Microbiological Quality of Drinking Water of Hyderabad and its Surroundings,” highlighting public health concerns related to waterborne pathogens.
- Dr. Awais Khatri discussed “Cleaner Textile Production,” focusing on reducing water usage and pollution in the textile industry.
- Dr. Tahir Rafique presented on “Defluoridation of Groundwater of Thar,” addressing a critical public health issue in the region.
- Dr. Syeda Sara Hasan concluded the session with a presentation on “Fabrication of Highly Sensitive and Selective Electrochemical Sensors for Detection of Paracetamol in Real Water Samples by Gold Nanoparticles,” demonstrating advanced techniques in water analysis.
Day 3: November 07, 2019
Specialized Corporate Training Session
The final day of the conference featured a specialized corporate training session on “Pakistan Standards on Drinking Water & Water Analysis, Sampling Techniques,” led by Prof. Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi, Founder Patron of the National Alliance for Safe Food and President of the Pakistan Society for Microbiology. The session provided participants with practical knowledge on national water standards and modern sampling techniques.
Technical Session 03
The third technical session, chaired by Prof. Dr. Asad Saeed, focused on advanced technologies and sustainable practices for water management:
- Prof. Dr. Syed Asad Saeed delivered a keynote talk on the “Awareness about the Importance of Water to Long Term Food Security,” emphasizing the critical link between water and food security.
- Dr. Fritz Poershcke from Wisy AG, Germany, presented on “Rainwater Harvesting-The Right Way to Save Water for Future Generations,” advocating for sustainable rainwater management.
- Dr. Jalaluddin Qureshi from IWSES, Houston, TX, discussed the “Importance of Aroponic Tower Garden and Alkaline Antioxidants Water for our Health,” highlighting innovative agricultural practices.
- Dr. Syeda Sadaf Akbar presented on “Advance Technologies for Water Analysis,” exploring the latest developments in water testing methods.
- Dr. Nusrat Jalbani from PCSIR discussed the “Assessment of Drinking Water Quality and Contamination in Karachi,” addressing local water quality issues.
- Love Kumar from WWF-Pakistan concluded the session with a presentation on “Journey to Sustainability; Smart Environmental Management Practices (SEMPs),” emphasizing the role of smart practices in achieving water sustainability.
The session was followed by a poster presentation by researchers and students, showcasing their work on water-related issues. The day concluded with a shield distribution ceremony and a group photo with the speakers.
Closing Ceremony
The conference ended with a closing ceremony, where key organizers and participants shared their reflections on the event. Mr. Kamran Saleem, Director of the National Alliance for Safe Food Sindh, opened the ceremony with remarks on the conference’s success. Other speakers included Syed Ibrar Hussain, CEO of Specialties, Rizwan Jaffer, Anchor at Aaj News, Mr. Kamran Abbasi, Director of Prime Event Company, and Dr. Feroz Alam, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Science, Karachi University. The ceremony concluded with a summary of recommendations by Mr. Khurram Shahzad, Vice President of the National Alliance for Safe Food, followed by the distribution of shields and certificates among the organizers, speakers, and team members. The event was officially closed with a vote of thanks by Mr. Awais Khan, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food Pakistan.
Conclusion
The International Conference on Water Security & Sustainability & Water Expo 2019 successfully brought together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to address the critical issues of water security and sustainability in Pakistan. The event facilitated knowledge exchange, highlighted innovative solutions, and underscored the urgent need for action to ensure a secure and sustainable water future for the country. The conference concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration and the implementation