News Desk:
QUETTA: The Balochistan government has imposed a water emergency in Gwadar as the coastal city battles a worsening drinking water crisis. In an urgent move, all taxes on water supply have been suspended to ensure immediate public relief.
The decision came during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, who reviewed the ongoing water shortage and the performance of concerned departments. Expressing strong dissatisfaction over the slow pace of response, the CM directed officials to implement swift and result-oriented measures.
“If these steps fail to deliver immediate results, I will personally establish a camp in Gwadar along with the Chief Secretary to oversee water supply operations,”
– CM Sarfraz Bugti
The Chief Minister stressed that Gwadar residents are facing severe hardships due to the water shortage, adding that the provincial government is utilizing every available resource to resolve the issue.
Bugti questioned why the situation had not improved despite the approval of required financial resources, warning that officers incapable of effective decision-making or crisis management should voluntarily step aside to make way for competent officials.
He directed that all funds under Bridge Financing be mobilized immediately to tackle the crisis, emphasizing that public relief is the government’s top priority.
The Chief Minister also took a firm stand against the tanker mafia, ordering strict action against those exploiting the crisis for profit. “No blackmailing will be tolerated in this emergency,” he said, instructing the Gwadar administration to ensure strict monitoring.
Bugti further ordered an emergency feasibility report for the revival of 11 inactive desalination plants, noting that their restoration would significantly boost water availability in the city.
He underlined that Gwadar’s water shortage is not merely an administrative problem but a humanitarian and development challenge, urging all political parties, government departments, and stakeholders to cooperate in finding a long-term, sustainable solution.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Shakil Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Zahid Saleem, Finance Secretary Imran Zarkoon, PHE Secretary Hashim Ghalzai, Principal Secretary to CM Babar Khan, and Additional Secretary Muhammad Fareedun.
Via video link, Gwadar MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor ul Haq Baloch, GDA Chairman Moeen ur Rehman, and Commissioner Makran Division Qadir Bakhsh Pirkani also joined the session.
