Shehersaaz, accomplished yet another milestone by successfully concluding its PROGRESSIVE program, for which a ceremony was held in Rawalpindi. This included a formal handing over of Rainwater Harvesting Units to 18 government schools-a new benchmark toward climate-resilient and eco-sensitive learning spaces.
This occasion brought together officials from the education department, school principals, project teams, and community partners, and other stakeholders to celebrate this milestone. The CEO, District Education Authority Rawalpindi, Tariq Mehmood appreciated Shehersaaz for being a strong advocate of sustainable education through strengthening school-level resilience via practical community-centered solutions.
Project Manager Dr. Beenish gave an insightful overview of the PROGRESSIVE initiative within the project PUCCAR. She explained how each Rainwater Harvesting Unit was designed, installed, and integrated within school routines for better water security and increased environmental awareness among students and teachers alike.
A dynamic question-and-answer session with on-site engineer Abdullah further highlighted technical processes, key challenges, and the collaboration that shaped the success of the program.
The Disaster Risk Reduction component in the PROGRESSIVE program is very robust, preparing the students for real-life challenges. Specifically targeted trainings in first aid, solid waste management, and care for the environment have equipped the students with the skills to segregate wastes, produce compost, and establish kitchen gardens in their respective schools. All these activities give hands-on practice to the students while building a culture of responsibility, preparedness, and climate consciousness.
The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with principals of the 18 participating schools was the defining moment of the ceremony. This is where each school formalizes its commitment to maintain the systems provided and takes full ownership of all components contributing to its transformation into a PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL.
The program, which is implemented in partnership with UN Habitat and the Adaptation Fund, comprises far more than just water-related solutions-it involves urban farming and energy-efficient measures, too, thereby transforming schools into active hubs of both resilience and sustainability.
It was followed by the 29th anniversary celebration of Shehersaaz, which marked almost three decades of leading sustainable urban development and community-based climate action. PROGRESSIVE reflects the unwavering vision and capability that constitute Shehersaaz's success. Combining innovation and collaboration to engage with communities, Shehersaaz further shapes smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities for future generations.
At the heart of F 9 Park, Islamabad, pulsated the Sheher Mela hosted by Shehersaaz in partnership with CDA, UN Habitat, the Adaptation Fund and DHA Islamabad. The Sheher Mela was a deeply immersive celebration of art, culture, science, technology and community voices. Held to mark the sixty fifth anniversary celebrations of Islamabad's Master Plan and World Cities Day 2025, the Mela converted this park into a vibrant canvas of ideas and experiences.
At the hub of the festival was the ECO Market showcasing innovative, green, and smart solutions that spoke to the future of sustainable urban living. The visitors toured electric buses, modern two-wheelers, and environmentally friendly technologies displaying what is possible in a cleaner and smarter Islamabad.
Citizens’ Corner opened an honest space for public expression, where residents shared their story, hopes, concerns and recommendations for their city. Illustrator and caricature artist Akhtar Ali Shah, affectionately termed as Shahtoon, translated these feelings into expressive visual narratives. His caricatures added a creative dimension to the city's collective memory.
Live performances only added to the magic in the air. Ahang Kada played the rhythms of rabab and tabla, while One Drum Circle engaged all with their, well, united beats. The evening concluded with The City Sings Concert, with powerhouse performances by Coke Studio fame Mulazim Hussain, the soulful Hazel Khan, and sitar maestro Amir Hussain.
Islamabad Sheher Mela stood as a testament to Shehersaaz's mission: building cities that are safe, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. It wove culture, creativity, innovation, and community participation together to remind one and all that cities thrive when people come together with imagination, pride, and a shared sense of belonging.
Islamabad was witness to one invigorating morning of dialogue, insight, and urban vision as Shehersaaz, the leading voice for sustainable cities in Pakistan, gathered national leadership, planners, and city thinkers for the Sheher Seminar. Organized in collaboration with CDA, UN Habitat, the Adaptation Fund, and DHA Islamabad, the seminar took place on October 30 and was thoughtfully aligned with the global observance of World Cities Day on October 31. By hosting the seminar a day in advance, Shehersaaz raised the bar on the importance of this occasion and put together a forceful platform to celebrate urban resilience, sustainability, and collective responsibility.
Contributions that further enriched the session were made by Ch. Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman CDA; Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor and HPM UN Habitat; and Ms. Almas Shakoor, Executive Director Shehersaaz. Ms. Shakoor’s vision of resilient citizen-centered cities simply underlined Shehersaaz’s leading role in guiding urban transformation in Pakistan. All put together, the speakers gave a comprehensive overview of Islamabad’s planning direction, its evolving urban landscape, and the collaborative momentum required to shape a sustainable future.
The technical session added immensely to the substance of the seminar. Expert presentations on Islamabad's planning history, its challenges related to environment, spatial growth and climate resilience followed. All these pointed to the importance of long term vision, as championed by Shehersaaz in creating adaptive and future ready cities.
A documentary titled “Islamabad 1960 to 2025. A Journey of 65 Years” introduced an artistic and historical layer in the event, prepared by the PR Directorate CDA. The film served as a visual tribute to Islamabad’s planning heritage and the aspirations that continue to define its growth. More than an anniversary observance, the Sheher Seminar attested to Shehersaaz's leadership in reimagining Pakistani cities. Through informed dialogue, meaningful partnerships, and community engagement, Shehersaaz advances its mission of promoting safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities where knowledge, creativity, and people come together with purpose and vision.
Shehersaaz's First Stakeholder Meeting took place at Hotel Margala on November 22nd, 2023.
Experts and professionals working on Climate Change and Adaptation were invited to attend the meeting and share their insights as well.
The meeting began with Recitation of Holy Quran followed by Welcome remarks and brief Introduction of Shehersaaz presented by Executive Director, Ms. Almas Shakoor who shared purpose and agenda of the meeting.
Program Manager UN-Habitat Mr. Khalil Ahmed shared his remarks and the meeting formally began.
A brief overview of the AF Project was presented by Ms. Shakoor where evolution, governance, components, dimensions, and dynamics of the project were highlighted.
A short video was played related to the overall project and its three major components.
Two panel discussions took place moderated by CR&N Coordinator Anahita Sajjad.
Panel 1 consisted of “Community Participation” of Stakeholders/beneficiaries where they discussed about the benefits of the three components of PUCCAAR sharing their firsthand experiences.
1- Rain Water Harvesting Units (RWHU)
2- Solid Waste Management (SWM)
3- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Panel Participants:
1- Ms. Mehreen Bibi (RWHU)
2- Ms. Ayesha Fayyaz (SWM)
3- Mr. Tufail (DRR)
Panel 2 had “Experts” who shared their expertise in Disaster Risk Reduction, Sustainable and Resilience based projects and Urban Development in context to Climate Change.
1- Dr. Mariam Saleh (Director Weather and Climate Services)
2- Ms. Azra Shahid (Rescue Safety Officer 1122)
3- Mr. Shoaib Haider (Country Director HOPE 87)
4- Dr. Mansoor Ali (UK) Theme Lead Waste Burning, Royal Academy of Engineering (Participated Online)
Mr. Azeem Khoso Director Ministry of Climate Change concluded the event with his remarks followed by Souvenir Distribution, Group Photo and Lunch.
Shehersaaz was able to present its Project on Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience successfully and will continue to keep the level of productivity to its maximum strength.
