Senate Body Slams Failure to Clear Riverside Encroachments
News Desk
Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over the failure to provide details regarding encroachments along riversides and waterways.
Officials informed the committee that, according to data from SUPARCO, major encroachments in Punjab had not been removed since August 2024.
The latest SUPARCO report, submitted in February 2025, identified 153 encroachments in the Sargodha Irrigation Zone and 676 encroachments in the Multan Irrigation Zone.
However, a representative of the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) claimed that all encroachments had been cleared before August 2024 but failed to provide supporting data.
The committee directed the FFC and the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) to coordinate with provincial authorities for the removal of encroachments within one month and to present a comprehensive report in the next meeting.
Senator Awan warned that failure to remove encroachments before the upcoming monsoon season would be considered a criminal offense, and those responsible would be held accountable. Additionally, the FFC was instructed to fully implement the Supreme Court’s orders in the Marvi Memon case regarding encroachments and report back to the committee.
The committee also discussed a bill concerning water management in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). Officials stated that the ministry was consulting with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other stakeholders for effective water management.
Senator Awan expressed disappointment that, despite ample resources, the CDA lacked a Flood Management Plan for ICT. The ministry was directed to submit a comprehensive report on water management within two months.
Regarding the implementation of the 2018 Water Policy, the committee inquired about the budget required for execution. A ministry representative estimated that Rs. 324 billion would be needed for full implementation.
The committee also addressed the issue of water depletion in Pakistan. The Ministry of Water Resources committed to formulating a coordinated plan with all provinces to tackle water depletion, in compliance with the Lahore High Court’s directives on the matter.
Furthermore, the committee discussed legislation on dam safety, as raised in a previous meeting. The Secretary of Water Resources assured the committee that a draft law addressing dam safety concerns would be prepared within a month.
The meeting was attended by Senators Faisal Saleem Rehman, Khalil Tahir, Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Secretary for Water Resources Syed Ali Murtaza, and senior officials from relevant departments.
