Press Release Title: Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament Lodges, Islamabad.

Press Release Date: 19th February, 2026

The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, conducted a comprehensive review of water conservation, flood management, groundwater depletion, and institutional performance, concluding that unchecked encroachments, regulatory gaps, and capacity constraints are significantly compounding Pakistan’s water crisis. Senators Asad Qasim and Poonjo Bheel attended the meeting. The Committee observed that climate change—particularly accelerated glacier melt—has increased both flood intensity and long-term water scarcity. It stressed that encroachments along natural waterways and flood plains are obstructing water flow, amplifying flood damage, and undermining national resilience. While Punjab has removed 2,625 encroachments along irrigation channels, the issue persists nationwide. The Committee called for time-bound, coordinated provincial action to clear waterways and enforce zoning laws. Serious concern was expressed over unauthorized infrastructure development, including bridges reportedly constructed without approval of the Flood Planning Commission. The Chairman highlighted the high-risk vulnerability of Zameendara Bandh near cultivated areas and directed the Ministry to submit comprehensive provincial data on flood-prone zoning, including a standardized definition of “high risk,” to support evidence-based decision-making. Institutional capacity was also reviewed. The Ministry of Water Resources reported that 15 of its 33 sanctioned posts remain vacant. The Committee termed this staffing gap a structural weakness affecting oversight and implementation and sought detailed vacancy data for BPS-16 and above to ensure accountability. On groundwater management, the Committee noted that low recharge rates, inadequate reservoirs, and excessive pumping—particularly in major urban centers—pose a systemic threat to water security. It called for stricter regulatory enforcement and sustainable extraction policies. The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) informed the Committee that quarterly water quality monitoring is ongoing and that rainwater harvesting has been made mandatory for new housing societies in Islamabad. The Committee also examined technological and infrastructure measures. SUPARCO is utilizing satellite imagery to identify encroachments, strengthening monitoring capacity. WAPDA briefed that a PC-I for the flood telemetry system is under approval, with 17 operational sites currently providing early warning data. However, technical limitations in discharge calculation during flood events remain, and the Chairman directed immediate rectification. Progress on major water infrastructure projects was reviewed. Diamer-Bhasha Dam (30% complete) and Dasu Hydropower Project (21% complete), both funded under PSDP, were described as strategically vital for long-term storage and energy security. The Committee recommended expediting Hingol Dam to mitigate future flood risks and directed a visit to evaporation ponds in Sindh to address pollution concerns and assess water reserve management.   Concluding the meeting, the Chairman emphasized that Pakistan’s water crisis is not solely a resource issue but a governance challenge requiring integrated planning, strict enforcement of land-use regulations, strengthened institutional capacity, and coordinated federal-provincial action to ensure sustainable and climate-resilient water management.