CDA, JICA Sign MoU for Islamabad Water Master Plan
36-month JICA project will develop a climate-resilient water management strategy for Islamabad through 2050
ISLAMABAD, September 14, 2026: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to prepare an integrated Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), with 2050 set as the target year.
The 36-month technical cooperation project aims to establish a sustainable and climate-resilient framework for Islamabad’s water management, covering water supply, sewerage, sanitation, stormwater drainage and flood-risk management.
CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf signed the MoU on behalf of CDA, while JICA Detailed Planning Survey Team Leader MIYAGAWA Masahito signed for JICA at a ceremony held at CDA Headquarters.
The agreement follows a detailed planning survey conducted by JICA from August 24 to September 14, during which consultations were held with CDA, Islamabad Water and other relevant institutions.
Master Plan to Cover ICT Zones 1–5
The project will principally cover ICT Zones 1–5, with detailed facility planning focused on Zone 1 and strategic assessments of Zones 2–5.
The Master Plan will provide short-, medium- and long-term development strategies for Islamabad’s water supply, sewerage, sanitation and drainage systems.
Focus on Sustainable Water Resources
Under the project, existing and potential surface-water and groundwater resources will be assessed to identify sustainable sources for Islamabad’s long-term water requirements.
The assessment will include water demand forecasting, abstraction, treatment, transmission, distribution, storage, water quality, operation and maintenance, asset management and reduction of non-revenue water.
Potential water sources and development options, including proposals linked to Tarbela, Chinot, Shahdara, Dotara and Chirah dams, will be reviewed based on reliability, climate risks, environmental and social impacts and indicative costs.
Sewerage and Wastewater Management
The Master Plan will examine sewerage and sanitation requirements in both sewered and non-sewered areas.
It will assess sewer networks, wastewater treatment facilities, decentralized treatment systems, on-site sanitation and fecal-sludge management while identifying measures to reduce environmental pollution and improve service delivery.
The plan will also review minimum planning and service requirements for private developments to support coordinated urban growth.
Stormwater and Flood Protection
Stormwater drainage and flood-risk management will be another key component of the project.
The study will assess natural streams, drains, existing stormwater networks and areas vulnerable to localized flooding. It will identify priority infrastructure and investment needs to improve drainage efficiency and reduce risks from extreme rainfall and urban flooding.
Digital Transformation of Islamabad Water
The initiative will also support the digital transformation of Islamabad Water.
Potential measures include smart metering, digital customer and asset management, meter reading, billing and collection systems, leakage detection, water-quality monitoring, distribution management and digital complaint-handling mechanisms.
Pilot activities may also be introduced to monitor water supply hours, flow, pressure, water quality and leakage while improving customer records and utility performance.
The project will examine the potential for a phased transition towards a metered tariff system, taking affordability, equitable access and the needs of vulnerable groups into account.
Climate Resilience and Environmental Protection
Climate change adaptation will be integrated throughout the Master Plan.
The project will assess risks related to drought, extreme rainfall, flooding, groundwater depletion and declining water quality. Proposed measures may include diversification of water sources, leakage reduction, demand management, treated wastewater reuse, aquifer recharge, climate-resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions.
Energy-efficient pumping and treatment, gravity-based systems and renewable energy options will also be considered to reduce environmental impacts.
Joint Coordination Committee to Oversee Project
A Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), chaired by the CDA Chairman, will be established to coordinate the project, review progress and address inter-agency issues.
The initiative will involve CDA and Islamabad Water alongside a wide range of stakeholders, including the ICT Administration, Ministry of Water Resources, WAPDA, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, WASA Rawalpindi, relevant provincial departments, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, Defence Housing Authority, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, private developers and communities.
Capacity Building and Training
CDA and Islamabad Water will jointly formulate the Master Plan with the JICA Mission Team rather than leaving its preparation solely to JICA experts.
The approach is intended to strengthen local institutional ownership and technical capacity through on-the-job training.
The MoU also provides for approximately three training programmes in Japan, each lasting around 14 days and involving approximately five participants, subject to final project arrangements.
Project Expected to Begin in March 2027
The draft Record of Discussions is expected to be finalized following further consultations and necessary procedures, with signing tentatively planned for late November 2026.
The technical cooperation project is tentatively scheduled to commence in March 2027, when the first JICA Mission Team members are expected to begin activities in Pakistan.
The initiative is expected to provide Islamabad with a long-term strategic framework for water management, future investment, infrastructure development and climate resilience, supporting the capital’s sustainable growth and safeguarding water resources for future generations.
