Peshawar   -   The Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Peshawar, in collaboration with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and USAID, organized a one-day seminar on “Afghanistan-Pakistan Shared Water: State of the Basins.” The event also marked the launching ceremony of the Web-Based Knowledge Platform for the nine shared rivers between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The seminar aimed to provide an overview of the Afghanistan-Pakistan river basins and introduce participants to the Web-Based Knowledge Platform and its features.

Prof. Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, Chairman of the Department of Agricultural Engineering at UET Peshawar, welcomed participants and underscored the seminar’s significance for professionals, researchers, and students.

He emphasized the importance of converting authentic data into useful information and knowledge to address current and future water management challenges.

Dr. Azeem Ali Shah, Chief of Party at IWMI; Muddasir Shah; and Dr. Hammad Gilani from New Mexico State University presented on various topics including the state of the basins, the development of the knowledge platform, and its applications and usability.

Prof. Dr. Qaisar Ali, Vice-Chancellor of UET Peshawar, praised the collaborative efforts of UET Peshawar, IWMI, and USAID. He highlighted the importance of improved water governance and management, referencing Islamic teachings on the judicious use of water.

In closing, Prof. Dr. Zia-ul-Haq thanked all participants for their engagement, contributing to the success of the seminar.

The seminar was attended by officials and researchers from the Irrigation Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Agriculture Engineering Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Soil Conservation Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, On-Farm Water Management Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce, University of Peshawar, University of Agriculture Peshawar, faculty members, and a large number of students from UET Peshawar.