Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Global Director for Water, Food and Ecosystems at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), has stated that capturing only 25 percent of Islamabad's annual rainfall could substantially mitigate groundwater depletion and help manage urban flooding. In an interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), he highlighted a successful pilot project at Kachnar Park in Sector I-8, which has stored over 566,000 litres of rainwater over the past four years, simultaneously improving groundwater levels and quality.
Pilot Project Demonstrates Effectiveness
The pilot initiative was established at a flood-prone location where monsoon runoff from a nearby parade ground frequently inundated the surrounding area. A small recharge pond was constructed to capture the runoff, allowing water to pass through natural filtration layers of sand and stones before seeping into the aquifer. The site is equipped with a real-time rain gauge, water flow monitoring instruments, and groundwater monitoring sensors, enabling researchers to collect scientific evidence on groundwater recharge and water quality for the first time in Islamabad.
Monitoring data collected since June 2022 reveals that the project has recharged more than 566,000 litres of water and raised the local groundwater table by approximately 4.5 millimetres without compromising groundwater quality. According to Dr Hafeez, these results have encouraged broader adoption of the technique.
Expansion Across the Capital
Encouraged by the outcomes, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) approved 100 groundwater recharge sites across Islamabad in 2024 and later expanded the initiative with an additional 100 sites. Currently, around 200 recharge sites are operational in various parts of the city. Dr Hafeez noted that the initiative has not only improved groundwater recharge but also reduced rainwater flooding and eased pressure on stormwater drainage channels. Residents living near the recharge sites have reported less flooding during the monsoon season and improved water availability from household boreholes, enabling them to access groundwater for longer periods each day.
Policy Impact and Green Building Codes
The success of the project has influenced public policy. CDA has incorporated groundwater availability assessments into its by-laws, making them mandatory before approving new housing schemes. Furthermore, IWMI, in collaboration with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), and other stakeholders, contributed to the development of Green Building Codes that require rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings.
Dr Hafeez revealed that the Federal Cabinet, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the Green Building Code of Pakistan and the Rainwater Harvesting Provisions for the Building Code on July 30, 2025. The Pakistan Engineering Council formally launched these codes on December 23, 2025, paving the way for wider adoption and implementation to promote sustainable construction practices, including rainwater harvesting, across Pakistan.
Cost-Effective Solution
The pilot project cost only about US$15,000, demonstrating that relatively small investments can yield substantial environmental and community benefits. “We don’t conduct research for the sake of research. We generate evidence that helps shape policy and improve people’s livelihoods through practical, climate-resilient solutions,” Dr Hafeez concluded.
