ISLAMABAD, Apr 07 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has begun work on Pakistan’s first National WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) Accounts in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, aiming to create a unified data system for the sector. Officials said the initiative, being undertaken with technical support from WaterAid, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, seeks to bridge longstanding data gaps that have constrained effective planning, …
Pakistan to develop first national WASH accounts
ISLAMABAD, Apr 07 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has begun work on Pakistan’s first National WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) Accounts in collaboration with the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, aiming to create a unified data system for the sector.
Officials said the initiative, being undertaken with technical support from WaterAid, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, seeks to bridge longstanding data gaps that have constrained effective planning, financing and coordination.
“It is the first move towards a single national framework to track water and sanitation services,” said Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, the ministry’s media spokesperson.
Talking to APP, on Tuesday, he said the system would enable federal and provincial authorities to generate standardised and timely data on investments, service delivery and utilisation of public funds, providing a clearer picture of sectoral gaps and priorities.
Climate Change Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani termed the initiative a “turning point” in WASH governance, noting that fragmented and outdated data had long undermined decision-making.
“A unified system will help identify gaps, guide investments and ensure all provinces work on a common evidence base,” she said, adding that it would also improve transparency and accountability.
The secretary said modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence, would be used to enhance data collection, verification and reporting.
She added that the initiative would support Pakistan’s reporting on Sustainable Development Goal 6 on access to safe water and sanitation, and align with broader development frameworks, including URAAN Pakistan and the Planning Ministry’s 5E framework.
