Standing Committee on Water Resources meets.
Thursday, 30th January, 2025
Islamabad, 30th January, 2025: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Water Resources met today in Committee Room of the Ministry under the Chairmanship of Mr. Khalid Hussain Magsi, to discuss the following agenda: -
i). Scrutiny of the budgetary proposals of the Ministry of Water Resources relating to Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) for the financial year 2025-26;
ii). Briefing on Naulong Dam, Dasu & Mohmand Dam by the Chairman Wapda; and
iii). Any other item with the permission of the Chair.
2. The Committee expressed displeasure /concern over the late submission of the brief for members' perusal. Syed Ali Murtza, Secretary of Water Resources, briefed the Committee on budgetary proposals for the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2024-25.
3. The Ministry of Water Resources has conducted a thorough review of its budgetary proposals, ensuring alignment with national development goals and efficient resource utilization. The proposed PSDP 2025-26 outlines key funding priorities for ongoing and new initiatives in water management, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation. It categorizes projects based on strategic importance, feasibility, and impact on water sustainability. Additionally, the document evaluates past performance for the year 2024-25, identifying delays and inefficiencies from previous PSDP cycles to enhance future planning.
3. Naulong Dam Project to Transform Water and Energy Landscape in Balochistan. The Project director briefed the Committee that the much-anticipated Naulong Dam project on the Mula River in Balochistan is progressing towards implementation, marking a significant milestone in the region’s water and energy infrastructure. Located approximately 395 km from Quetta, the project requires 4,282 acres of land, with an acquisition cost of Rs. 1.95 billion. The Government of Balochistan has already released Rs. 0.9 billion and the land acquisition process has commenced following the completion of necessary formalities. The Committee was informed that the construction is set to begin in February 2026, with an expected completion by 2031.
4. The Chairman of WAPDA apprised the Committee that the Dasu Hydropower Project on the Indus River has achieved over 23% physical progress. Major milestones, including river diversion and powerhouse excavation, have been accomplished despite challenges such as land acquisition delays and security concerns. WAPDA is also advancing key hydropower and water storage projects across Pakistan, making steady progress on several vital infrastructure initiatives aimed at enhancing the country’s water storage capacity and power generation.
5. The Mohmand Dam, a multipurpose project providing water supply and irrigation benefits, has reached 37.6% completion, with significant progress in land acquisition, power tunnel excavation, and turbine manufacturing. Meanwhile, the historic Mangla and Tarbela Dams continue to play a crucial role in meeting the country's energy and irrigation needs, with recent capacity enhancements through the Tarbela 4th and 5th extension projects. The Committee has decided to visit the Dams and will redress the issues of people.
6. The meeting was attended by Mr. Muhammad Idrees, Mr. Mian Khan Bugti, Syed Javed Ali Shah, Syed Abrar Ali Shah, Mir Munawar Ali Talpur, Mr. Muhammad Moin Aamer Pirzada, Mr. Suhail Sultan, Malik Anwar Taj, Mr. Dawar Khan Kundi, Rai Hassan Nawaz Khan online, Ms. Zartaj Gul, Mr. Waseem Hussain online, MNAs Ms. Raana Ansar Parliamentary Secretary and Secretary, Water Resources, Chairman Wapda, along with officers & other officials of the Ministry.