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ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP):The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources Wednesday reviewed progress on groundwater laws, growing encroachments along water courses and delay in Nai Gaj dam.
The committee which met with Shahadat Awan in the Chair deliberated upon pending compliance reports, critical infrastructure bottlenecks, regulatory gaps in groundwater management, and the issue of illegal encroachments on natural water bodies.
The Committee expressed concern over the pending compliance on earlier directives issued during its meetings held on January 9, February 6-25, and March 19 2025.
The Committee noted that several matters remain unresolved despite repeated follow-ups and enquiries.
The Ministry was directed to present a consolidated compliance report clearly indicating the implementation status of each recommendation, reasons for delays, and revised timelines.
While discussing the agenda regarding the compliance of the recommendations issued by the Committee, the matter regarding filling the vacancies of Federal Flood Commission was discussed.
The Committee was informed that out of 37 vacancies 21 were filled and 16 were still vacant.
The Chairman remarked that such administrative delays in recruitment on vacant positions hamper the working of the Ministry that must be avoided.
Regarding legislation upon dams safety Council, the committee was informed that the Dams Safety Bill was drafted with the help of ADB and tabled before the Ministry two days ago.
The representative of the Ministry further hoped that the Bill shall be ready for introduction in the House within three months after final vetting.
The members highlighted the rapid rise of illegal constructions and land-grabbing along natural drains and waterways all over the country.
The Committee directed the Ministry of Water Resources and concerned local authorities to take urgent action to remove encroachments and submit a comprehensive report identifying affected sites, responsible agencies, and timelines for clearance.
The Committee enquired about the coordination of SUPARCO with FFC regarding the encroachments upon rivers and water-ways.
The representative of SUPARCO failed to satisfy the Committee regarding necessary steps taken by them in this regard.
The Chairman directed the concerned from SUPARCO to coordinate with the FFC and PID and present a report to the Committee within one month.
He further recommended that an inquiry to fix the responsibility to be conducted by the Ministry regarding negligence by the concerned officers or departments in identifying and removing the encroachments from the waterways.
The Committee also directed that the CDA ought to provide details regarding encroachments.
Regarding, Nai Gaj Dam project, WAPDA official and the Ministry reported that the delay in completion of the project was due to inflation in the country and further progress was hampered due to the funding deadlock.
The Committee voiced serious concern over the cost escalation and urged the Government to approve the revised 3rd PC1, within one month and allocate the funds for the completion of project on due time as estimated in June , 2027.
The Chairman Committee stressed that the issue be raised at the highest level for resolution for which the Minister for Water Resources Mr. Moeen Watto assured the Committee, that he would take up the matter with the Government for the approval of revised 3rd PC1 of Nai Gaj dam within one month and for the release of funds as demanded by WAPDA.
During the briefing on the implementation status of the National Water Policy and groundwater regulation, the Committee was informed that although Water Acts and Regulations have been passed by Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their implementation remains limited. Balochistan in this regard already has a law that is going to be updated by a new enactment in few months, as informed by the Chief Engineer, Irrigation Balochistan.
As far as the steps taken by the Government of Balochistan is concerned, it was informed that various executive orders, policies have been issued in this regard, however the Government shall be in the capacity to regulate the same one the enactment is passed by the provincial assembly.
The representative of KPK deliberated that they did not have any data regarding ground water in the province.
Senator Humayun Mohmand raised concerns over urban flooding and groundwater depletion in KP, where construction continues unchecked due to a lack of regulatory enforcement.
The Secretary of Water Resources stated that the federal ministry has consistently written to the provinces but received little response.
The Committee observed that provincial delays in implementing regulatory frameworks threaten long-term water sustainability. All provinces were directed to furnish updated implementation reports within a month, clearly indicating timelines, legal instruments enacted, and operational challenges, if any.
The meeting was attended by Senators Poonjo Bheel, Saadia Abbasi, Humayun Mohmand, Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, and Khalil Tahir, the Minister for Water Resources and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, senior officials from WAPDA, and representatives from provincial irrigation departments. The Committee reiterated the need for coordinated water governance, timely institutional response, and strict action against encroachments and administrative delays.