Rs44 billion Gish Kaur Dam raises questions, cost jumps from Rs11 billion

The cost of Balochistan's Gish Kaur Storage Dam has reportedly jumped from Rs11 billion to Rs44 billion, an increase of Rs33 billion,

Islamabad:  The cost of Balochistan’s Gish Kaur Storage Dam has reportedly jumped from Rs11 billion to Rs44 billion, an increase of Rs33 billion, raising serious questions about the use of public money and whether the project will actually benefit local people. Another major dam in Panjgur has also come under criticism after its cost increased from Rs18 billion to Rs23 billion, while Senator Jan Muhammad warned that stopping the main river’s water could affect the daily lives of the entire district’s population.

These concerns emerged during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Less Developed Areas, where lawmakers reviewed progress on the Aghaz e Haqooq e Balochistan Package, including water projects, roads and government employment opportunities.

The meeting was chaired by Senator Jan Muhammad at the Old PIPS Hall in Parliament Lodges, Islamabad. Officials from the Planning Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Balochistan Irrigation Department, National Highway Authority and Establishment Division briefed the committee.

The Planning Commission informed the committee that 138 projects were being handled under the package, including more than 133 ongoing projects and seven new projects. Their approved cost was Rs1,984.3 billion. The federal government had allocated Rs193 billion for Balochistan during the current financial year.

The package includes 18 water projects involving dams and canals, while 54 projects relate to roads. Of the road projects, 36 are being implemented by the Balochistan government.

The biggest financial concern raised during the meeting involved the Gish Kaur Storage Dam. The committee was informed that its revised cost had increased from Rs11 billion to Rs44 billion. Senator Jan Muhammad questioned whether such a costly project would provide enough benefits to justify the spending.

He pointed out that the surrounding area had limited agricultural land and that some nearby land was already occupied by housing schemes. He questioned how useful the dam would be for local residents when its construction cost had increased so sharply. He directed the relevant department to review the project again and present its findings to the committee.

The Panjgur Dam also faced serious objections. Its cost has reportedly increased from Rs18 billion to Rs23 billion. Senator Jan Muhammad expressed concern that blocking the main river’s water could harm local communities and disturb their daily lives. He warned that the entire population of Panjgur district could be affected.

Officials said local representatives had been consulted and arrangements would be made to maintain suitable water flows for traditional karez irrigation systems. However, the senator said similar dam projects in other parts of Balochistan had created difficulties for local communities.

He directed the authorities to obtain detailed reports from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and the Water and Power Development Authority before the next Senate committee meeting.

The Ministry of Water Resources informed the committee that 18 water projects had been approved at a total cost of Rs369.3 billion. Of these, 13 are being implemented by the Balochistan government and five by WAPDA under the ministry’s supervision. An amount of Rs16.9 billion has been allocated for these projects during the current financial year.

Officials also said that 51 water projects had been completed in Balochistan since 2010. Regarding Mangi Dam, the committee was informed that around 80 percent of the work had been completed and its water would mainly be used for drinking purposes.

The Balochistan Irrigation Department also briefed the committee on 13 dams under construction, including Ghuruk Storage Dam, Awaran Dam, Panjgur Dam, Winder Dam, Shahzank Dam and Gish Kaur Storage Dam.

Officials admitted that the security situation had made it difficult to complete several dam projects within their original deadlines. As a result, extensions would be needed.

Road development also came under discussion. The National Highway Authority informed the committee that 52 per cent of the total funds had been allocated to Balochistan. The Prime Minister had directed that the Karachi to Chaman highway be completed as a priority.

The committee was told that 86 per cent of the Quetta Bypass work had been completed, while the Reko Diq connecting road was close to completion. The Awaran to Hoshab Road had reached 64 percent completion. A private company is working on the Western Bypass in Quetta, while the Frontier Works Organisation is handling the Karachi to Khuzdar section of the N25 highway in three sections.

Senator Jan Muhammad also raised concerns about the road passing through Hub and directed officials to give special attention to the Western Quetta Bypass. He ordered that project directors of the Blida to Parom, Blida to Balaghtar and Blida to Jhalgi connecting roads be called to brief the committee on progress. NHA officials stressed that funds must be released on time to complete road projects within their deadlines.

Government employment opportunities for Balochistan residents were another major issue. The Establishment Division informed the committee that advertisements had been issued for more than 4,500 vacancies under the provincial quota.

Officials said a special cell had been established to monitor recruitment matters and help candidates from Balochistan. The province has also been exempted from restrictions on recruitment to Basic Pay Scale 1 to 4 positions, while candidates have been given exemption from technical tests and a five year relaxation in the upper age limit. A 10 per cent quota has been reserved for women and five per cent for minorities.

However, Senator Jan Muhammad pointed out a serious problem with the online recruitment system. Despite the announced five year age relaxation, the software does not allow over age candidates to submit applications. He directed officials to fix the technical problem so eligible people from Balochistan are not deprived of government jobs.

The senator also raised concerns about contract based appointments in Pakistan Railways and stressed the need to consider making these employees permanent. He questioned recruitment advertisements issued by the Finance Division, Pakistan Military Accounts Department, Survey of Pakistan and Quetta Electric Supply Company.