The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has approved the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR)-led project titled “Project for Improving PCRWR Research Infrastructure and Enhancing Integrated Water Resources Management Capacity.”
This landmark initiative, approved under the Pakistan–Korea Partnership Program (PCP) after three detailed feasibility assessments, will be implemented from 2026 to 2032 with an estimated cost of up to USD 15 million.
The project aims to modernize PCRWR’s research infrastructure and establish a state-of-the-art automated groundwater monitoring network in Islamabad and Sindh. This system will enable real-time monitoring of groundwater levels and quality, helping policymakers and water managers make informed decisions for sustainable water resource management.
In addition to infrastructure development, the project includes capacity-building and research components. PCRWR professionals will receive training in advanced groundwater and water quality modelling techniques, and KOICA has approved four postgraduate scholarships (two PhD and two Master’s programs) at leading Korean universities under the same framework.
As part of project preparations, a delegation of KOICA experts is visiting Pakistan from November 3–14, 2025, with meetings and field visits scheduled in Karachi and Islamabad. The mission includes consultations with key stakeholders such as KW&SC, PHED Sindh, SEPA, CDA, and WASA Rawalpindi, to refine technical plans and finalize field sites for implementation.
During this mission, a meeting with the Chairman, Capital Development Authority (CDA) was held on November 10, 2025, where Dr Hifza Rasheed, DG PCRWR briefed him on the project objectives and sought CDA’s collaboration. The Chairman appreciated the initiative and assured full support for the establishment of the automated groundwater monitoring network in the Federal Capital.
This achievement reflects PCRWR’s leadership and commitment to advancing water research, monitoring, and management in Pakistan, and demonstrates KOICA’s confidence in PCRWR’s technical capacity and vision for sustainable water governance.