Law and Society – Highlights Water Seminar 13 February, 2020

In February, 2020 The Centre organized the 3rd event in its Water Seminar Series at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce.
The Series are based on two key documents but expanded to include other dimensions of work in water:
(i) Lecture by Mr. Samuel Wordsworth QC – “Water Disputes in the 21st century: A crisis with Pakistan in the Forefront”; and
(ii) The Islamabad Declaration – an initiative of the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan as announced by the Supreme Court.
Speakers at the event presented results of their on-going work in the water crisis with recommendations for addressing and meeting challeneges. Speaker were Mian Zahid Jawaid Ahmad (VP LCCI), Barrister Nudra B. Majeed (President PCLS), Mr. Abdul Basit (Former President LCCI), Dr. Abubakr Muhammad (Director WIT, Lums), Advocate Ahmad Rafay Alam (Environmental Lawyer), Dr. Muhammad Qamer Shahid (University of Vetenirary Sciences) and Muhammad Suleman Khan (Co-Convener of Standing Committee on KalaBagh Dam). The Seminar was co-ordinated by Mr. Rehmatullah Javed (Former Ambassador and Former Head of SMEs, FPCCI).

Current issues were debated at length with discussion ranging from laws that underpin the issue of water, using Arbitration and Mediation as preferred methods for resolving inter-state, intra-state and individual disputes on water, national water policies, the necessity of Dams vis a vis new methods for groundwater storage which are kinder to the environment and don’t incur the cost and damage that accompanies Dam construction, water extraction and recycling,and the disproportionate use of water in the agricultural sector including livestock. All presentations proposed practical solutions for efficient management of water resources.
Audience participated keenly in the Q&A session and included representatives from the Pakistan National Forum, National Water & Power Development Authority, Commerce and Industry stakeholders, Members of Lahore Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Engineers representig various irrigation organizations from the public and private sector, academics from local universities, lawyers from international law firms and environmental specialists.