A Senate committee on Friday voiced concern over Pakistan’s worsening water challenges, delays in implementing key recommendations and inadequate funding for major water infrastructure projects, while calling for greater use of modern technology to strengthen flood management and water security.
The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, met at Parliament House to review implementation of its previous recommendations, examine Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocations for the water sector and receive a detailed briefing from the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) on its performance and mandate.
Committee members expressed concern over slow compliance with earlier directives and urged relevant institutions to accelerate implementation. Officials informed the meeting that work on a satellite-based river encroachment monitoring system was in progress. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had identified 227 encroachment sites, although satellite imagery had been obtained for only 18 locations, while Punjab had reported 2,737 encroachment points. WAPDA said provincial administrations were removing encroachments through district authorities.
Chairman Jam Saifullah Khan directed that the committee’s next meeting focus on the application of satellite technology and other advanced systems for flood forecasting and river management. He also proposed holding an in-camera session to discuss the implications of the Indus Waters Treaty, future reservoir development and Pakistan’s long-term water security. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Bank, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) and provincial irrigation departments will be invited to participate.
The committee also took notice of staff shortages at the Federal Flood Commission after being informed that approval to fill vacant positions remained pending with the Establishment Division. It directed the division to expedite the issuance of a no-objection certificate in view of the ongoing flood season. Members were also told that a draft Dam Safety Council Bill had been completed and would soon be submitted to the Ministry of Water Resources, while noting that dam safety is currently managed through administrative arrangements rather than dedicated legislation.
Groundwater depletion emerged as another major concern during the meeting. Officials reported that groundwater levels continued to decline in several Punjab districts, including Okara, Vehari, Sahiwal, Multan and Lahore. The committee urged authorities to adopt international best practices in groundwater conservation, efficient irrigation methods and sustainable water management to improve agricultural productivity while protecting water resources.
The committee reviewed floodplain management across the country and directed all provinces to present floodplain zoning maps at the next meeting to identify weaknesses in existing systems. Punjab and Sindh governments will be invited for detailed discussions.
Provincial officials also briefed the committee on groundwater conditions. Sindh authorities said around 80% of the province’s groundwater is saline and that legislation on groundwater management is being prepared. The committee directed the provincial government to submit the draft law for review. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa officials said a comprehensive groundwater assessment had yet to be conducted due to the absence of piezometer installations, while Balochistan reported that groundwater extraction exceeded available resources, creating deficits across 18 groundwater basins. Officials outlined plans to improve monitoring, construct recharge dams and develop GIS-based decision-support systems.
During discussions on river encroachments, Senator Muhammad Aslam Abro raised concerns about developments along the River Ravi. Punjab irrigation authorities said no critical encroachments currently existed. However, the committee directed officials to submit verified information regarding housing developments near the riverbanks and provide a detailed briefing if required.
The committee was told that Pakistan ranks among the world’s most water-stressed countries and faces increasing pressure on its water resources in the coming decades. While reviewing the Nai Gaj Dam project, WAPDA said the original contractor had submitted a forged bank guarantee in 2009, resulting in financial losses estimated at Rs23 billion. The contract was terminated, the contractor was blacklisted and the matter remains pending before the Supreme Court. The committee supported the ministry’s position and stressed the need to ensure accountability while accelerating completion of the project, which is expected to irrigate around 28,000 acres of land.
Members also reviewed progress on several strategic projects, including Hingol Dam, Harpo Dam, Kachhi Canal, RBOD-I and RBOD-III, as well as issues related to waterlogging and drainage infrastructure.
Regarding the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, WAPDA informed the committee that repairs to the damaged tunnel were progressing following the post-commissioning incident. Officials said nearly 80% of the project’s construction cost had already been recovered through electricity generation. The committee chairman called for an independent and transparent investigation into the causes of the tunnel failure and cost overruns, saying accountability was essential to protect future national infrastructure projects.
The committee also expressed serious concern over reduced PSDP allocations for the current fiscal year, warning that funding shortages could delay strategically important water and power projects. Members urged the government to increase financial support for the sector.
During the briefing on WAPDA’s organisational structure, officials said the authority’s primary role is now focused on the development and management of water reservoirs. The committee also received updates on WAPDA’s financial management, internal audit procedures and institutional reforms.
The meeting concluded with Chairman Jam Saifullah Khan directing that a separate session be convened to examine the Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) projects and their operational challenges. The committee reviewed 11 recommendations from previous meetings, while the remaining proposals will be taken up at its next session.