A Senate subcommittee has raised concerns over rising costs and the viability of major dam projects in Balochistan. Lawmakers questioned whether several schemes would deliver sufficient benefits to local communities despite substantial public spending.
The concerns emerged during a meeting chaired by Senator Jan Muhammad Baloch in Islamabad. The committee reviewed development projects under the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package.
The Planning Commission informed members that 138 projects were included under the package. Their approved cost stood at Rs 1.984 trillion, with Rs. 193 billion allocated for Balochistan during the current financial year.
Panjgur and Gish Kaur Dams Face Scrutiny
The committee expressed particular concern over the Panjgur Dam project. Its estimated cost has increased from Rs. 18 billion to Rs. 23 billion.
Senator Jan Muhammad warned that blocking the main river could disrupt residents’ daily lives. He also feared the project could affect communities across Panjgur district.
Officials said authorities had consulted local representatives and would maintain water supplies for traditional karez irrigation systems. However, the senator demanded detailed reports from SUPARCO and WAPDA before the next meeting.
The Gish Kaur Storage Dam also attracted criticism over its rising construction cost. Officials informed the committee that its revised estimate had increased from Rs. 11 billion to Rs. 44 billion.
The senator questioned the project’s economic justification and ordered another assessment. He noted that limited agricultural land surrounded the area, while some nearby land had already become housing developments.
Committee Reviews Other Development Projects
Officials said 18 water-sector projects had received approval at a combined cost of Rs. 369.3 billion. Thirteen projects are being executed by Balochistan’s government, while WAPDA handles five.
The committee also reviewed 13 dams currently under construction. These include Ghuruk, Awaran, Panjgur, Winder, Shahznak and Gish Kaur dams.
Meanwhile, officials reported progress on several road projects. The Quetta Bypass was 86 percent complete, while the Awaran-Hoshab Road had reached 64 percent completion.
Authorities also briefed members about employment opportunities under the provincial quota. More than 4,500 vacancies had been advertised, while officials were directed to fix recruitment system problems affecting eligible applicants.
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