Pakistan proposes Rs424 billion for water projects

The Ministry of Water Resources has proposed 33 new water projects for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for 2025-26. The total cost of these projects is Rs 424.128 billion. For the upcoming fiscal year, the ministry is requesting Rs 42.432 billion. During a recent meeting with the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza provided details about the projects. Four projects from the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) are included, costing Rs 33.0155 billion, with a funding request of Rs 1.584 billion for 2025-26. Notably, no projects from Balochistan have been proposed. Sindh has three projects with a total cost of Rs 257.783 billion, seeking Rs 15.805 billion for the fiscal year. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is set to benefit from 19 projects totaling Rs 94.130 billion, with a funding request of Rs 14.242 billion. Punjab has seven development projects valued at Rs 39.200 billion and is requesting Rs 10.800 billion. Murtaza explained that the proposed projects have not yet been included in the PSDP because required approvals are still incomplete. In the previous fiscal year, 70 water and hydropower projects were allocated Rs 343.812 billion, but their total cost is significantly higher at Rs 4.488 trillion. The committee discussed the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV). This project, started in 2022 with a budget of Rs 126.404 billion, is now facing delays. The Karachi Water & Sewerage Board has yet to award the tender for water distribution lines, further pushing back the timeline. Murtaza pointed out challenges in funding, power supply, and legal issues affecting the project. WAPDA's chairman informed members that the project's cost might rise to Rs 150 billion. Some committee members believe that completion may now extend to 2027. Senator Shahadat Awan, chairman of the committee, urged officials to prioritize completing ongoing projects before starting new ones. He also raised concerns about a proposed canal project in Sindh. The committee emphasizes the need to speed up the execution of water projects to tackle increasing water scarcity. Regular monitoring of ongoing projects is managed by a dedicated department within the ministry.