ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have signed an agreement to develop an integrated master plan for Islamabad’s water supply, sewerage, and drainage systems, with 2050 set as the planning horizon.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 14, 2026, at CDA Headquarters. CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf signed for CDA, while JICA Detailed Planning Survey Team Leader Miyagawa Masahito represented the Japanese agency.
Plan to Cover Islamabad’s Water and Sewerage Needs
The proposed 36-month initiative will cover Islamabad Capital Territory Zones 1 to 5. Detailed facility-level planning will focus primarily on Zone 1, while Zones 2 to 5 will undergo a broader strategic assessment.
The study will examine Islamabad’s existing and potential water sources, including surface and groundwater resources. It will assess future demand, treatment facilities, transmission networks, storage capacity, water quality, and measures to reduce non-revenue water.
Potential sources associated with Tarbela, Chinot, Shahdara, Dotara, and Chirah dams are also expected to be reviewed based on reliability, climate risks, environmental considerations, and estimated costs.
Sewerage and Drainage Also Included
The master plan will address both sewered and non-sewered areas, wastewater treatment, decentralised sanitation systems, and fecal sludge management.
For drainage, the study will examine natural waterways, existing stormwater infrastructure, and areas vulnerable to flooding. The objective is to identify measures that can improve Islamabad’s resilience against heavy rainfall and urban flooding.
Digital Systems and Climate Resilience
JICA’s technical cooperation will also explore digital improvements for Islamabad Water. These may include smart metering, leakage monitoring, water-quality systems, billing and customer-management platforms, and improved complaint-handling mechanisms.
The plan will further consider climate adaptation measures such as diversifying water sources, groundwater recharge, treated wastewater reuse, and nature-based solutions.
Project Follows Earlier Technical Discussions
The latest agreement follows technical discussions between CDA and JICA earlier in 2026. A detailed planning survey was subsequently conducted from August 24 to September 14, during which the JICA team consulted CDA, Islamabad Water, and other relevant institutions.
A Joint Coordination Committee headed by CDA’s Chairman and Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner will oversee the initiative. Other stakeholders expected to participate include WAPDA, the Ministry of Water Resources, PCRWR, WASA Rawalpindi, Small Dams Organisation, Punjab irrigation authorities, Rawalpindi Cantonment Board, DHA, and private developers.
Formal Project Activities Expected in 2027
The September MoU represents an initial framework rather than the start of full-scale implementation. A formal Record of Discussions is expected to be signed in November 2026, while substantive project activities are tentatively scheduled to begin in March 2027.
For Islamabad’s property and development sector, the eventual master plan could provide important long-term guidance on water availability, wastewater management, drainage capacity, and infrastructure planning. However, its immediate effect on existing properties or development projects is expected to remain limited until the technical study produces specific recommendations and those proposals move toward implementation.
Developers and property owners can therefore monitor the project’s progress, particularly recommendations affecting water infrastructure and development planning in different zones of Islamabad.
