BA Standing Committee Stresses Measures To Regulating Groundwater Extraction, Protecting Water Resources
BA Standing Committee stressed urgent measures to regulate private bore usage and prevent further depletion of valuable water reserves in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. The committee meeting, held at the Assembly Secretariat, discussed the Balochistan Public Health Engineering Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 20 of 2026).
Maulana Noorullah was elected as Chairman and presided over the session. Other key participants included Committee members Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman and Shahida Rauf; Assembly Secretary Tahir Shah Kakar; Special Secretary Abdul Rahman; Additional Secretary Law Saeed Iqbal; officials from the Public Health Engineering Department; and Secretariat staff.
The bill aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for water supply, sewerage, wastewater management, and regulatory oversight across the province.
The committee emphasized:
- Defining departmental responsibilities
- Regulating groundwater extraction
- Protecting water resources
- Establishing a Provincial Groundwater Regulatory Board and District Water Supply and Sanitation Groups
- Ensuring effective operation of rural and urban water schemes
- Wastewater treatment and safe reuse
- Implementing structured systems for water tariffs, billing, and recovery.
Members also stressed accountability should extend to government officers and officials with clear penalties for non-compliance. They suggested incorporating provisions from the Balochistan Employees Discipline Act (BEDA) 2011 for enforcement.
Chairman Maulana Noorullah opposed the bill, arguing it was against public interest and emphasized the committee’s role in safeguarding people’s rights and welfare. Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman also voiced concerns about measures detrimental to public welfare, questioning the performance of institutions like WASA Quetta and calling for transparency.
Members concluded that water legislation, a basic necessity, must prioritize public interest, transparency, institutional accountability, and protection of natural resources.
