Integrating SDG-6 and SDG-14 with an Islamic Perspective: A Case Study of Pakistan

Abstract

Human life, fertility, cleanliness and purity all depends on water. Water is used for domestic purposes; and in agriculture and industrial sector. The United Nations adopted SDGs in 2015 (Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development), with an aim to eradicate injustice, lack of sanitation, poverty, inequalities, hunger, global environmental crisis and economic crisis by 2030. The 17 Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) model provides a blue print for a better world. Pakistan was among the nations who readily adopted this plan and aligned it with their vision 2025. SDG-6 (clean water and sanitation) and SDG-14 (life below water) are goals designed to protect the environment from depleting water resources. The current study aims to highlight that human survival depends on ecological balance. Our study will be based on qualitative textual methodology extracting and analyzing as to how SDGs from an Islamic outlook reflects on these principles; and how they coincide with the ethical considerations mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. The purpose of this paper is to explore how Islamic values compliments SDG-6 and SDG-14 by providing spiritual foundation for environmental sustainability. The study also enumerates opportunities and challenges in Pakistan to implement the policies. After introduction our paper will focus on brief explanation of SDG-6 and SDG-14 goals. Later on, we will align these goals with Islamic perspective. Subsequently we will discuss efforts and challenges that Pakistan face to achieve these goals followed by conclusive remarks.