Sindh releases Rs7.7bn for K-IV project

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources on Wednesday reviewed progress on the K-IV water supply project for Karachi, expressing concern over persistent delays and funding constraints, and urging its expeditious completion.

The meeting, chaired by MNA Ahmad Ateeq Anwar, was attended by Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Moeen Wattoo, Chairman WAPDA Muhammad Saeed and senior officials.

The committee also took up the WAPDA Security Force Bill, 2026, but members criticised a five-month delay in convening the meeting. The chairman attributed the gap to austerity measures amid regional tensions.

Briefing the committee, WAPDA Chairman Muhammad Saeed said delays in the K-IV project were mainly due to funding issues, which have now largely been resolved. He added that the Sindh government has released Rs7.7 billion and work is underway.

Federal Minister Mian Moeen Wattoo informed the committee that the federal government has so far spent Rs86 billion on the project, while an additional Rs70 billion would be required for completion. He said approximately 66 percent of the project has been completed.

The minister clarified that WAPDA’s responsibility is to supply water up to Karachi, while distribution within the city falls under the Sindh government. He stressed that the province must develop the distribution infrastructure—estimated to cost around Rs200 billion—to ensure supply to end consumers.

“The federal government will provide water once the provincial distribution system is ready,” Wattoo said, adding that Sindh is in talks with the World Bank for financing the network.

The WAPDA chairman expressed confidence that the project would be completed by June 2027, subject to timely availability of funds. He added that Sindh is required to provide 50MW electricity for water supply from Keenjhar Lake.

During the meeting, MNA Ameen ul Haque termed the delay in meeting Karachi’s water needs since 2010 as “shameful,” noting that the PC-I was prepared in 2010 but implementation remained stalled for years. He said the project gained momentum only after federal intervention.

He further stated that the total cost of the project stands at Rs126 billion, of which Rs106 billion has been allocated, while expenditures have reached around Rs94 billion. He questioned when water supply would begin if the first phase is completed by December 2026.

Responding to queries, the CEO of Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation said the city’s distribution system is expected to be completed by December 2028, with a possible extension to April 2029 due to unforeseen challenges.

Committee member Syed Waseem Hussain highlighted the hardships faced by Karachi residents, stating that citizens are forced to pay up to Rs10,000 for water tankers. He urged the committee to summon the Chief Secretary Sindh to address the issue.

Concerns were also raised about the sustainability of water supply from Keenjhar Lake. In response, the WAPDA chairman said supply would be ensured through inflows from the Indus River.

Officials informed the committee that Karachi will receive 260 million gallons per day (MGD) under the K-IV project. The Sindh Irrigation Secretary noted that work on supplying water from the Indus River to Keenjhar Lake is nearing completion, though expansion of the lake has yet to be approved.

The committee decided to hold its next meeting in Karachi to review on-ground progress and stressed the need for close coordination between federal and provincial authorities.

During discussion on the WAPDA Security Force Bill, 2026, the WAPDA chairman highlighted serious security challenges at development projects, stating that existing arrangements are insufficient. He said law enforcement agencies provide only intermittent coverage, leaving gaps at sensitive sites.

He added that outsourcing security services is costly and increases the financial burden on projects. Emphasising the need for a dedicated force, he said the proposed arrangement would ensure consistent protection within project requirements.

He noted that although the WAPDA Act includes provisions for watch and ward staff, the existing setup is inadequate to meet current security challenges.

After deliberations, the committee directed that a comprehensive comparative study on the proposed legislation be shared before the next meeting.

The committee also expressed concern over flood preparedness and urban flooding, particularly in Lahore. Chairman Ahmad Ateeq Anwar questioned officials on preparedness for monsoon floods, noting that water had accumulated up to four feet in parts of his constituency.

“Rainfall occurred in Jammu, but water is standing in Lahore,” he remarked, pointing to flaws in drainage and water management systems.

PPP leader Shazia Marri sought details on measures taken by the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) to mitigate risks, stressing the need for a coordinated national response.

Responding to queries, the FFC chairman clarified that the commission is not a standalone institution but a coordinating forum for flood-related planning and implementation.

He informed the committee that three Flood Protection Plans were implemented up to 2008, while the fourth plan was prepared in 2017 and approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Under the plan, funding was to be shared equally between the federal government and provinces, with about 80 percent financing expected from foreign sources.

Meanwhile, PPP MNAs Mir Munawar Talpur and Shazia Marri raised concerns over water shortages in Sindh. Talpur alleged that water was supplied to the Jalalpur Canal without CCI approval.

Marri urged the federal minister to represent all provinces and visit Sindh to assess the situation firsthand.

The committee chairman informed members that the federal minister would soon visit Sindh to review the situation.

The meeting was attended by MNAs Shamaila Rana, Mehmood Qadir Khan, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Mir Munawar Talpur, Shazia Marri, Saba Talpur (via Zoom), Mian Khan Bugti (via Zoom), Riaz-ul-Haq (via Zoom), Federal Minister Mian Moeen Wattoo and Parliamentary Secretary Rana Ansar, along with officials of the Ministry of Water Resources.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN