ISLAMABAD, /DNA/ – A two-day meeting for the Networking of Water Centers of Excellence in OIC Member States commenced at the COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, on Monday. It is being jointly organized by OIC-COMSTECH and the OIC General Secretariat in collaboration with the Hisaar Foundation, SESRIC (Statistical, Economic and Social Research and Training Centre for Islamic Countries and INWADARM (COMSTECH Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management).
The meeting is a significant step toward strengthening research, knowledge sharing, and coordinated action on water security. The initiative follows the Resolution No. 1/4-ICWM/2018, adopted at the 4th Islamic Conference of Ministers Responsible for Water in Cairo, Egypt, in October 2018, and the recommendations of the 2nd OIC Water Council meeting in 2019.
In the inaugural session, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, emphasized the urgency of addressing water challenges, particularly in the face of climate change. She highlighted the central role of COMSTECH and stronger policy frameworks, regional cooperation, and investment in research and development to ensure sustainable water management. She also commended COMSTECH for its leadership in spearheading this crucial initiative.
H.E. Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokar, Assistant Secretary-General of OIC for Science and Technology, underscored the OIC’s commitment to tackling water-related challenges through collaborative research and policy initiatives. He stated, “The OIC is dedicated to strengthening regional cooperation in water security and management. This initiative will serve as a platform to harness scientific expertise and innovative solutions for the benefit of all member states.” He further elaborated on the significance of technology-driven solutions and the mobilization of resources to support sustainable water policies. Ambassador Aftab also commended COMSTECH for its leadership in spearheading this initiative and its continued efforts in advancing scientific cooperation.
In his welcome address, H.E. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of COMSTECH, outlined major initiatives that COMSTECH is undertaking to enhance capacity building in water research and technology. “COMSTECH is planning to launch a major initiative to facilitate the mobility of experts, researchers, and students among water research institutions in member states. Additionally, we will organize two major training workshops, one in Bangladesh and the other in Uganda, focusing on the One Water Concept and the use of modern technologies in water management,” he announced.
He further elaborated on COMSTECH’s ongoing efforts, which include one of the largest scholarship programs, support initiatives for women scientists, the Health Africa program, technician training, fellowships for refugee scientists, and the COMSTECH Expert Service. “We are committed to strengthening academic and research institutions, particularly in member states facing critical water challenges,” he added. He also emphasized that COMSTECH’s country-specific programs in Nigeria, Somalia, Palestine, Yemen, Mauritania, and Uganda are designed to cater to the unmet needs of these nations. He expressed gratitude to the OIC and its partners for their continuous support in making these initiatives successful.
Other notable speakers included Dr. Zehra Zumrut, Director General of SESRIC, who emphasized the role of data-driven policies and capacity-building programs, and Dr. Marwan Alraggad, Executive Director of INWADARM, who highlighted the importance of integrated water resource management strategies. Ms. Afia Salam, Advisor, Hisaar Foundation Foundation also contributed insights into innovative water conservation techniques and sustainable solutions.
The meeting brought together policymakers, experts, and representatives from water centers of excellence across OIC member states, including Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Senegal, Somalia, Togo, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
Ambassadors from various member states, including Jordan, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Libya, and Somalia, were also present at the inaugural session, signifying the high-level commitment to tackling water challenges collectively.
This initiative demonstrates COMSTECH’s commitment to fostering cooperation among OIC countries, not only in science and technology but also in water management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable socio-economic development. The meeting will continue on Tuesday, with further discussions on policy recommendations and strategic actions to be undertaken in the coming years.
![PESHAWAR, JAN 12 /DNA/ - Owing to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's precarious law and order circumstances, the provincial assembly has written a letter to the Peshawar corps commander seeking an in-camera briefing on ongoing operations and the security situation in the province. "The [special] Committee desires to receive a detailed briefing from Headquarters XI Corps, Peshawar, particularly in the context of the ongoing operations being conducted by the federal government and LEAs in the merged districts of KP," reads the letter issued by KP Assembly Deputy Secretary Tariq Noor, while referring to the Special Committee (on Security) constituted by the house. The committee features more than 40 members, including the leader of the house, the leader of the opposition and provincial ministers, along with parliamentary leaders of respective political parties. The letter, dated January 8, also points out that the committee has received detailed briefings from key stakeholders, including the chief secretary, the additional chief secretary, the IGP, and now seeks a briefing as part of the consultative process. Letter written by KP Assemblys deputy secretary to Headquarters XI Corps. — Reporter Letter written by KP Assembly's deputy secretary to Headquarters XI Corps. — Reporter The KP Assembly's request for a briefing from a senior army commander comes as the province, as stated by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in a recent media briefing, accounted for nearly 71% of all the terrorist incidents in 2025. The overwhelming share of KP in facing terror incidents, as per the military's spokesperson, was due to a "politically conducive environment and the flourishing political-criminal-terror-nexus" in the province. Noting that the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in KP was resisting counterterrorism efforts at every forum — a claim denied by the PTI — Lt Gen Chaudhry highlighted that the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) carried out 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the country in 2025, of which 14,658 IBOs were conducted in KP. Out of the total 5,397 terrorism incidents reported nationwide in the previous year, as many as 3,811 incidents occurred in KP. The issue of terrorism and military operations has been a point of contention between the PTI's KP government and the Centre in recent times, where the former has time and again stressed a political solution and dialogue, whereas the latter has pressed on with taking action against the terrorists. This is also reflected by the KP Assembly's letter to the Headquarters XI Corps, Peshawar, which says that the Special Committee (on Security) "acknowledges the importance of security measures but considers that operation alone without broader political, social and developmental initiatives may not ensure suitable peace and stability and could risk further unrest in the province".](https://islamabadpost.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/security-forces-218x150.jpg "KP Assembly seeks Peshawar corps commander’s in-camera briefing on security situation")
