ISLAMABAD, Sep 14: The Capital Development Authority (CDA)and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to prepare an integrated Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan for Islamabad Capital Territory, with 2050 as the target year.
CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf signed on behalf of CDA, while JICA Detailed Planning Survey Team Leader MIYAGAWA Masahito signed for JICA at a ceremony held at CDA Headquarters.
The event was also attended by Director General Islamabad Water Sardar Khan Zimri, Joint Secretary Japan at Economic Affairs Division Fakhryia Anjum and other senior officials.
The agreement follows a detailed JICA survey conducted from August 24 to September 14, during which consultations were held with CDA, Islamabad Water and relevant institutions to finalize the project framework. The 36-month technical cooperation project will primarily cover ICT Zones 1 to 5, with detailed facility planning for Zone 1 and strategic assessment for Zones 2 to 5.
Under the Master Plan, existing and potential water resources including surface and groundwater will be assessed. Studies related to Tarbela, Chinot, Shahdara, Dotara and Chirah dams will also be reviewed to meet long-term water needs.
The plan will focus on demand forecasting, treatment, transmission, storage, water quality, asset management and reducing non-revenue water.
For sewerage and sanitation, the study will address both sewered and non-sewered areas, wastewater treatment, decentralized systems, fecal-sludge management and service responsibilities.
On drainage, it will assess natural streams, stormwater networks and flood-risk zones to propose measures against urban flooding and extreme rainfall.
Digital transformation will be a major part of the project to improve Islamabad Water’s efficiency through smart metering, leakage detection, billing, customer management and water quality monitoring.
Pilot activities on metering, pressure monitoring and complaint systems are also planned, along with a review of a phased shift to metered tariffs keeping affordability in mind.
Climate change adaptation will be built into the plan through source diversification, aquifer recharge, treated wastewater reuse and nature-based solutions. Energy efficiency and renewable energy options will be promoted as well.
A Joint Coordination Committee headed by the CDA Chairman will monitor progress. CDA and Islamabad Water will serve as implementing agencies with technical support from JICA. Staff will also receive on-the-job training and about three training programs in Japan.
The Record of Discussions is expected to be signed in late November 2026, while project activities are tentatively set to begin in March 2027. Officials said the initiative aims to build a modern, climate-resilient water system for Islamabad.
