Gwadar Water Crisis a Top Priority, Desalination Plant the Only Permanent Solution; Govt Ready to Engage Opposition on Mines Act: Balochistan CM

*Quetta (Daily Qudrat):* Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has said that the provincial government’s top priority is resolving the acute water crisis in Gwadar, stressing that the installation of a desalination plant is the only permanent solution to the problem.

Speaking during a session of the Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday, chaired by Speaker Captain (Retd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, the Chief Minister said that efforts to address Gwadar’s water shortage have been underway since day one. He pointed out that billions of rupees were misappropriated in the past in the name of Gwadar’s water supply. “The complete and sustainable solution lies in setting up desalination plants,” he said, adding that steps are also being taken to supply water to Gwadar from the Mirani Dam. He noted that financial constraints remain a challenge and called for support from the federal government and the World Bank. Work is currently underway to ensure the supply of 2.8 million gallons of water.

Addressing the Mines and Minerals Act, CM Bugti said the law was passed with consensus and has already been debated again. He alleged that objections were being raised deliberately and invited the opposition and other political parties for dialogue. “How long can problems be created by blocking this bill?” he asked, urging all opposition parties to sit together and present their viewpoints so a solution can be found.

The Chief Minister also reiterated that the government is ready for transparent accountability but will not tolerate character assassination. He suggested summoning the head of the National Cyber Crime Agency to address the issue of misinformation and defamation.

Gwadar MPA Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, while speaking in the House, highlighted the difficulties faced by stranded residents of Gwadar, saying that access to clean drinking water is the most pressing issue. Provincial Minister for Irrigation Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, responding to a call attention notice, said Gwadar faces severe water scarcity due to lack of rainfall, a problem affecting not only Gwadar but the entire province. He stressed that supplying water through tankers is wasteful and reiterated that the government is utilizing all available resources to resolve Gwadar’s drinking water issue.

On another call attention notice, JUI member Mir Zabad Ali Reki expressed concern over the alarming situation of drinking water in Quetta, stating that groundwater levels have dropped to dangerous levels, forcing residents to rely on water tankers. He sought details of funds allocated for clean drinking water in Quetta between fiscal years 2020 and 2025 and inquired about budget releases and the completion timeline of the Mangi Dam project. In response, Minister Abdul Rehman Khetran assured the House that the Mangi Dam project would be completed soon and that Quetta would start receiving water from June 2026. Following the assurance, the call attention notice was disposed of.

During the session, the Balochistan Assembly passed the Aga Khan Properties Succession and Transfer Bill 2025. The Public-Private Partnership (Amendment) Bill was also approved. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Agricultural Produce Markets Bill was referred to the relevant standing committee, as was the Balochistan Animal Slaughter Bill 2025.

Raising a point of order, MPA Haji Nawaz Kabzai said Balochistan’s transporters were being harassed in Punjab, prompting them to go on strike from December 8, with trucks and tankers stranded in Zhob and other areas. CM Bugti responded that the Punjab government was enforcing the law and that compliance with the law is mandatory for everyone.

Opposition Leader Mir Younas Aziz Zehri raised concerns over alleged character assassination of MPAs and ministers through a website operating under the name “Balochistan Leaks,” demanding an investigation and punishment for those involved. Minister Abdul Rehman Khetran supported the demand, alleging a planned defamation campaign against him on social media, and called for the formation of a high-level commission to investigate such allegations, stating he would resign if any accusations against him were proven.

CM Bugti reiterated that action should be taken under the PECA law against misinformation spread on social media, electronic, and print media. He emphasized that accountability cannot be based on lies and that politicians are ultimately held accountable by the public. He proposed the formation of a committee to take action against those spreading false information, assuring full government support.

The Speaker ruled that a committee would be formed under the chairmanship of Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran, and individuals who have faced character assassination on social media may approach the committee to lodge their complaints.