WASHNet facilitates landmark initiative to strengthen parliamentary leadership, oversight and action on water, sanitation, hygiene and climate resilience
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – July 2026: In a landmark development for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly has formally notified the Parliamentary Caucus on WASH and Climate Change, establishing the first parliamentary caucus in Pakistan specifically dedicated to WASH.
The establishment of the Caucus marks a significant milestone in strengthening political leadership, parliamentary engagement and collective action on water security, sanitation, hygiene and climate resilience in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The initiative has been facilitated by the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network (WASHNet), a government-led WASH coordination platform housed within the Planning & Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with support from UNICEF.
Through its coordination and engagement mandate, WASHNet has been working closely with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, Members of the Provincial Assembly, the Assembly Secretariat, government departments and development partners to strengthen parliamentary understanding and engagement on WASH and climate-related priorities.
A key milestone in this process was a thematic workshop on WASH and climate resilience organised by WASHNet for Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly. The workshop provided an opportunity for parliamentarians to discuss the province’s key WASH challenges, understand the importance of stronger political and legislative engagement, and explore ways in which parliamentarians could contribute to advancing the WASH agenda. It was during these discussions that the idea of establishing a dedicated Parliamentary Caucus on WASH and Climate Change emerged and gained momentum, ultimately leading to continued consultations with Members of the Provincial Assembly and the Assembly Secretariat and the subsequent formal notification of the Caucus.
Read more about the WASHNet thematic workshop with parliamentarians: https://washnet.pndkp.gov.pk/strengthening-parliamentary-leadership-for-climate-resilient-wash-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/
The Parliamentary Caucus on WASH and Climate Change will provide a platform for parliamentarians to collectively engage with the province’s key WASH and climate challenges. It is expected to support stronger parliamentary oversight, policy dialogue, advocacy and accountability, while encouraging greater attention to WASH priorities in development planning, public policies and budgetary processes.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces significant challenges related to water security, safely managed sanitation, hygiene, climate-induced risks and the resilience of water and sanitation infrastructure. Recognising the cross-cutting nature of these challenges, WASHNet has been promoting stronger coordination between government institutions, development partners, civil society, academia and other stakeholders. The establishment of the Caucus provides an additional avenue for strengthening this coordination through political leadership and parliamentary engagement.
The Caucus can also play an important role in bringing constituency-level WASH challenges into policy discussions. Through parliamentary engagement, Members of the Provincial Assembly can highlight local water and sanitation needs, support evidence-based policy reforms, advocate for effective public investment, and strengthen accountability for WASH service delivery.
As part of its ongoing support to parliamentary engagement, WASHNet will continue to facilitate knowledge sharing, technical discussions, consultative sessions and capacity-building opportunities for parliamentarians. These efforts will aim to strengthen understanding of WASH governance, water security, climate resilience, sector financing and other emerging challenges, enabling parliamentarians to play a more informed role in shaping policies and priorities.
The formation of the Caucus builds upon a series of engagements and consultations facilitated by WASHNet with Members of the Provincial Assembly, the Assembly Secretariat, relevant government departments, UNICEF and other partners. These engagements have helped create a shared understanding of the importance of stronger political leadership and oversight for the WASH sector.
The initiative also reflects WASHNet’s broader efforts to strengthen institutional coordination and political commitment for WASH in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. By connecting government institutions, development partners and elected representatives, WASHNet aims to support a more coordinated and evidence-based approach to addressing the province’s WASH challenges. Looking ahead, WASHNet will work with the Parliamentary Caucus and relevant stakeholders to support its strategic direction and long-term sustainability. This will include facilitating opportunities for capacity building, exposure to good practices, knowledge exchange and dialogue with national, regional and international networks working on parliamentary engagement for WASH and climate resilience. The Caucus also provides an opportunity to strengthen the connection between provincial policies, development priorities, climate adaptation efforts and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
The formal notification of the Parliamentary Caucus on WASH and Climate Change represents an important step forward for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the wider WASH sector in Pakistan. WASHNet looks forward to continuing its role as a platform for coordination, knowledge exchange and collaboration, and to working closely with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, the Parliamentary Caucus, government institutions, UNICEF, development partners and other stakeholders to advance the shared goal of achieving safe, sustainable, equitable and climate-resilient WASH services for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.