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QUETTA, Jul 24 (APP):Secretary Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department Muhammad Hashim Ghilzai Thursday visited the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Head Office in Quetta, stressed the importance of ensuring timely access to clean drinking water for the citizens of Quetta.
He was briefed by WASA Managing Director Muhammad Gul Khalji on ongoing departmental projects and issues. Senior officers of the department were also present during the briefing.
During the meeting, Secretary Hashim Ghilzai instructed that newly installed tube wells should be made functional immediately and equipped with transformers so that they can be brought online to mitigate the city’s ongoing water shortage crisis.
He directed that all under-construction projects, including tube wells and reservoirs, should be completed without delay. “WASA must utilize all available resources on an emergency basis to ensure a stable water supply across Quetta. Providing clean drinking water to the public remains our top priority,” he said.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, he acknowledged the hardships faced by residents during the peak summer season due to water scarcity. He attributed the ongoing crisis to persistent drought and a declining water table, which have significantly affected water distribution systems.
Secretary Ghilzai emphasized the need to accelerate work on major water supply projects, including the Mangi Dam, which he said could provide significant relief to Quetta once completed. He clarified that the water crisis in Quetta is not a new issue but a longstanding one that had been neglected in previous administrations.
Addressing another major challenge, the Secretary pointed out that while water demand is increasing, the public’s failure to pay WASA bills is creating financial stress for the department. “Financial constraints hinder our ability to operate efficiently. If revenue improves, so will the department’s performance and its capacity to serve the people,” he noted.
He also pledged to resolve the problems faced by WASA employees, enabling them to perform their duties more effectively. “We are committed to improving the department’s overall performance and will take all necessary steps to address institutional and operational challenges,” he concluded.