Standing committee reviews Balochistan Water Resources Management Bill 2026

QUETTA, Oct 01 (APP): The Standing Committee on Irrigation of the Balochistan Assembly on Thursday deliberated on the Balochistan Water Resources Management Bill 2026.

The Committee held detailed discussions on the proposed bill, which aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for the effective, integrated, and sustainable management of water resources in the province. The legislation seeks to reorganize institutions responsible for land and water management, strengthen their capacity, and align reforms with the Balochistan Water Policy.

Key objectives include ensuring equitable access to water resources, recognizing water as a fundamental human right, addressing climate change impacts such as floods and droughts, protecting catchment areas and waterways, and promoting water conservation. The bill also incorporates the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to balance economic and social welfare with environmental sustainability.

Its scope covers all water resources within Balochistan, including ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, glaciers, groundwater, surface flows, mangroves, and coastal waters under provincial jurisdiction. It also extends to inter-provincial and transboundary rivers within Balochistan’s territory, subject to international law and federal agreements.

Committee members presented their suggestions on various clauses of the bill. Concluding the session, the chair thanked members, assembly officials, the Irrigation Department, and other participants for their contributions.

The meeting was attended by Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Prince Ahmad Umar Ahmadzai, Muhammad Asghar Rind, Noor Muhammad Dummar and Liaquat Ali Lehri.