ISLAMABAD: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the GSK global biopharma giant have launched a five-year initiative to conserve and restore freshwater resources in water-stressed regions of Pakistan and India, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday.
The collaboration, running until 2030, will focus on the Indus River Basin in Pakistan and the Sutlej River Basin in India, key areas for medicine production. The initiative aims to replenish over 300,000 cubic meters of water and benefit more than 100,000 people by implementing nature-based solutions.
Key efforts include restoring freshwater habitats, protecting endangered species like river dolphins and otters, and promoting sustainable water management in local communities and farms, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
“Ensuring sustainable water supply is critical to delivering life-saving medicines,” Regis Simard, president of global supply chain of GSK that operates three manufacturing sites in these regions, was quoted as saying by the APP.
“Partnering with WWF allows us to drive meaningful change in these vulnerable ecosystems.”
Freshwater ecosystems have seen an alarming 85 percent decline in wildlife populations since 1970, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report. The Indus Basin, in particular, faces threats from pollution, dams and climate change.
The partnership aligns with global biodiversity goals, including the Freshwater Challenge that seeks to restore 300,000 kilometers of rivers and 350 million hectares of wetlands by 2030.
“Pakistan faces severe water scarcity and pollution,” said Hammad Naqi Khan, director-general of WWF-Pakistan, highlighting the urgency of water conservation.
“Companies like GSK are leading by example not just reducing water use but actively replenishing resources.”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday reviewed various proposals for investment projects with Azerbaijan, the Pakistan foreign office said, amid Islamabad’s push for increase trade and investment in the South Asian country.

The development came days after Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev wrote a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and called for joint ventures with Pakistan in defense, energy, economy, logistics and transport sectors to expand Baku’s strategic partnership with Islamabad.

It followed a visit by Sharif to Baku, where he announced the two nations would sign deals in April to boost bilateral investments to $2 billion. Multiple agreements for cooperation in the trade, energy, tourism, education and other sectors were signed during Sharif’s visit in Feb.

On Tuesday, DPM Dar presided over an inter-ministerial meeting on possible investment projects with Azerbaijan and reviewed various proposals in this regard, according to the Pakistani foreign office.

“DPM/FM directed to accelerate the implementation of decisions to boost economic growth and development through viable investment projects,” it said in a statement. “He reaffirmed that strengthening Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties remains a priority as both countries collaborate across various sectors.”

Cash-strapped Pakistan is currently navigating a tricky path to recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program. The South Asian country has been making efforts to generate revenue through increased trade and investment deals with friendly nations and regional and international allies, focusing on export-led growth.

In September last year, Azerbaijan bought JF-17 Block III fighter jets from Pakistan, reportedly in a $1.6bn deal.

During President Aliyev’s visit to Pakistan last year, a joint committee was set up to materialize projects in trade, commerce, information technology, tourism, telecommunication, mineral resources and other sectors. Sharif said at the time the current trade volume of $100 million did not reflect the “true” trade potential between the two countries.