A Senate committee on Monday issued a stern warning to the national space agency, SUPARCO, threatening a ‘breach of privilege’ for failing to report on illegal encroachments that are worsening flood devastation, highlighting a growing frustration over poor coordination among government bodies.

The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, led by Chairman Senator Shahadat Awan, convened at Parliament House to assess the country’s flood-management strategies. The session focused on the lack of compliance with recommendations made on July 30, 2025, following recent catastrophic flooding.

The chairman expressed significant concern over the weak collaboration between federal and provincial departments regarding the removal of structures built on riverbeds and in flood channels. He mandated the Ministry of Water Resources to immediately establish effective inter-agency cooperation.

The panel took strong exception to SUPARCO’s inability to provide a verification report on encroachment removal. With the consensus of attending members, including Senators Saeed Ahmed Hashmi and Poonjo Bheel, the chair cautioned that the agency’s non-compliance could be escalated to a serious parliamentary matter.

Reinforcing the urgency, Senator Poonjo Bheel emphasized that settlements in riverine areas are magnifying the destructive impact of floods and called for decisive action. The committee demanded that a complete, verified report on the matter be presented at its subsequent meeting.

Progress on major water infrastructure projects also appeared stalled. The committee was informed that the Nai Gaj Dam project is currently sub judice in the Supreme Court. A briefing on the National Flood Protection Plan (NFPP-IV) was also postponed as the strategy awaits final approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

Officials from WAPDA updated the legislative body on current water-storage initiatives, including the installation of 45 flood telemetry gauges. The committee instructed the authority to expedite the deployment of an additional 457 gauges to enhance the nation’s real-time flood-monitoring and early-warning capabilities.

Provincial representatives also briefed the panel on the status of small and medium dam projects. Senator Awan directed them to prepare detailed proposals on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, describing them as vital for Pakistan’s long-term water security.

In a concluding directive, the chairman ordered the Ministry of Water Resources to guarantee the attendance of all relevant department heads at the next session to prevent further delays and to pinpoint responsibility for any negligence.