Sherry Rehman urges importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships & collaborative efforts in advancing green urban development

ISLAMABAD, Sep 28 (SABAH): Senator Sherry Rehman delivered a keynote address at the ‘Green Urban Development’ event organized by the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), the Institute of Urbanism (IoU), and the U.S. Embassy. The event highlighted the urgent need to innovate sustainable solutions for the rapid urbanization of Pakistan with a focus on Islamabad, with highlighting water conservation, waste management and green infrastructure in the city.

During her remarks, Senator Rehman emphasized the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and collaborative efforts in advancing green urban development. “I want to express my gratitude to all the actors who have come together, capitalizing on the energy and creativity of young people, and translating these into actionable, tangible outcomes,” she said, highlighting the pivotal role that youth and innovative startups play in shaping Pakistan’s urban future.

Senator Rehman unpacked the challenges posed by Pakistan’s accelerated urbanization, currently growing at a rate of 3% annually, and its implications for Islamabad’s limited natural resources and fragile ecosystems. In her address, she noted that Islamabad is now at a critical juncture: “Islamabad’s story shouldn’t just be one of a city grappling with the pressures of urbanization—it should be a story of transformation, of a city that rises to meet its challenges with resilience and creativity. Our future depends on the decisions we make today, and the time to act is now.”

With water shortages becoming an increasingly critical issue, Senator Rehman emphasized the alarming statistic that Islamabad is currently facing a daily shortfall of 53 million gallons. “This isn’t just a future problem—it’s a present crisis,” she warned. “Pakistan is on the brink of becoming a water-scarce country by 2025. If we don’t take actionable steps now, we are condemning future generations to live with the consequences of our inaction.”

Senator Rehman also addressed the urgent need for effective waste management, referencing 9 million gallons of untreated sewage entering Rawal Dam daily, compromising the water quality for the city’s residents. She called for a holistic, long-term approach to managing resources and urged policymakers to adopt new technologies and sustainable practices. “We need bold, tangible solutions to secure Islamabad’s—and Pakistan’s—future water security,” she added.

Recognizing the role of young people and innovative startups, Senator Rehman applauded the efforts made by the Green Urban Development School (GUDS) in piloting projects like ‘Sar Sabz Qadam,’ a green efficient paver, an enterprise that generates electricity through pedestrian activity and ‘Terra Tech’, a green home initiative for rainwater harvesting. “My generation may not have given you the perfect example to follow, but today’s youth are taking the lead—turning every challenge into an opportunity to create lasting solutions,” she remarked. “The real youth dividend is paying off, and we must continue to support these efforts to ensure that they go beyond isolated success stories and become catalysts for change across Pakistan.”

Senator Rehman advocated for a new paradigm of urban development rooted in circularity, conservation, and connectivity. “Our development trajectory has often come at a high environmental cost. We have encroached on wildlife habitats and overexploited our resources. It’s time to reimagine our cities—not as isolated entities, but as ecosystems where every resource is valued, and every piece of waste is repurposed. Circularity isn’t just a trend; it’s an essential blueprint for urban planning,” she said.

Senator Rehman concluded the address by asserting the importance of scalability of the pilot projects. “The nurturing of startups and innovative projects has been remarkable. However, the challenge now is to scale up these solutions and integrate them into mainstream policy frameworks. The potential of clear, cutting-edge technologies must be fully realized through partnerships that involve both public and private sectors.”

She further added, “Efforts to pilot water-saving initiatives in local mosques or launch green tech innovations should be expanded and supported by comprehensive policy measures. We must also consider how these initiatives can be adapted and applied to different urban contexts across Pakistan.”