The Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) hosted a high-level seminar titled “Quetta Water Security Dialogue: From Crisis to Policy Action” at its Takatu Campus. The event was jointly organized by the Department of Computer Engineering and the Department of Training and Development, BUITEMS, in collaboration with the Commissioner’s Office, Quetta Division.
The seminar brought together a diverse group of participants, including representatives from government institutions, academia, engineers, media, and civil society, to discuss the urgent issue of Quetta’s escalating water crisis. The dialogue emphasized the need for collaborative and evidence-based policymaking to ensure sustainable water management in the region. The event was accredited as a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activity for engineers.
The session opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Masood Ur Rehman, Department of Computer Engineering, BUITEMS, who outlined the objectives of the dialogue and acknowledged the active participation of all attendees and panelists.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Shahzeb Khan Kakar, Commissioner Quetta Division, highlighted the alarming rate of groundwater depletion and the growing water stress in the region. He called for the formulation of a Quetta Water Emergency and Resilience Master Policy (2025–2035), emphasizing integrated water governance, community engagement, and the use of real-time data and technology for sustainable water resource management.
A thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by Prof. Dr. Anila Ali (Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, BUITEMS) featured distinguished experts, including Dr. Faisal Khan Kakar (CEO, PPPA), Dr. Masood Ur Rehman (BUITEMS), Dr. Najibullah (Irrigation Department, Government of Balochistan), Engr. Tanveer Rahim (Focal Person, PHE, Government of Balochistan), and Mr. Shahzeb Khan Kakar (Commissioner, Quetta Division).
The panelists discussed key issues such as aquifer depletion, climate variability, and institutional capacity gaps, stressing that unregulated groundwater extraction and fragmented authority have intensified the crisis. They advocated for the use of IoT-based sensors, remote sensing tools, and hydrogeological modeling to improve monitoring and guide data-driven policy interventions.
The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment among participants to develop a unified and enforceable Water Emergency Action Plan for Quetta. The Commissioner’s Office announced the establishment of a Working Group to further refine and operationalize the proposed Master Policy (2025–2035), ensuring that academic research from institutions like BUITEMS directly informs provincial water governance.
This impactful seminar reaffirmed BUITEMS’ leadership role in fostering research-driven policy development and advancing environmental sustainability in Balochistan. The successful organization of the event was credited to Dr. Masood Ur Rehman and Mr. Mayen Khan (Assistant Director, Training and Development, BUITEMS), whose coordination ensured meaningful dialogue and actionable outcomes among stakeholders.