The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigation Department have formalized a partnership aimed at restoring critical waterways across the province. Under the agreement, UET Peshawar will provide independent third-party validation (TPV) for a major dredging and desilting initiative.
Agreement Signing
The memorandum was signed by Prof Dr Rawid Khan, Director of Planning and Development at UET Peshawar, and Syed Suliman, Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Division. The ceremony was attended by UET Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Sadiq Khattak and Secretary Irrigation Abid Wazir.
Scope of Work
UET Peshawar will undertake independent monitoring, technical verification, and quality assessment of the Urban Critical Waterways Dredging and Desilting Project. This oversight is designed to ensure transparency, efficiency, and adherence to engineering standards throughout the project's implementation.
Background and Funding
Speaking at the event, Abid Wazir explained that the initiative was launched following the devastating floods of 2025, which caused extensive damage in the Malakand region and several merged districts. He noted that the provincial government, under Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, approved a special non-development program to rehabilitate and safeguard critical waterways vulnerable to future flooding.
Approximately Rs2.5 billion has been allocated for the project during the current financial year. The initiative covers nearly 322 kilometers of waterways across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is expected to increase drainage capacity significantly while reducing water-flow blockages by around 70 percent.
Expected Impact
Wazir added that the project would strengthen flood resilience and help protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of extreme weather events. The dredging and desilting operations focus on key urban and rural water channels to remove accumulated silt and obstructions, improving water flow before future monsoon seasons.
University's Role
Prof Dr Sadiq Khattak highlighted UET Peshawar's longstanding collaboration with the Irrigation Department on water-management initiatives. He noted that the university previously provided digital monitoring and technical assistance for the province-wide desilting campaign through its faculty, experts, and graduates.
The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the latest project will build upon that partnership and generate valuable data on urban waterways, canals, and drainage networks. This data will facilitate evidence-based planning and enhance climate resilience across the province.
Khattak stressed that universities must play an active role in addressing pressing societal challenges. He reaffirmed UET Peshawar's commitment to supporting the provincial government through its expertise in climate change, water-resource management, and engineering. The collaboration reflects the growing importance of academic institutions in providing technical solutions to environmental and infrastructure challenges.
