Ahsan Iqbal Chairs High-Level Meeting on Water and Power Situation in Gwadar — Orders Emergency Measures to Address Ongoing Water Crisis
Islamabad/Gwadar, October 6, 2025:
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review the water and power situation in Gwadar.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari, Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Balochistan Zahid Saleem, the Chief of QESCO, and other senior officials. Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Noor-ul-Haq Baloch and Director General Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Moeen-ur-Rehman Khan participated via video link.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given on the existing water and power conditions in Gwadar. Officials informed that, due to federal government efforts, significant improvement has been achieved in power supply, but the city is now facing a severe water shortage.
It was reported that Ankara Dam and Sawad Dam, the two main water reservoirs, have dried up due to an almost 18-month-long drought. As an emergency measure, the Shadi Kaur Dam line has been reactivated after three and a half years, currently supplying 10–12 lakh (1–1.2 million) gallons of water per day. Additionally, the GPA Water Desalination Plant is providing 5–6 lakh (0.5–0.6 million) gallons daily to older city neighborhoods.
Despite these efforts, an equal shortfall remains. In line with directives of the Chief Minister of Balochistan, GDA has initiated emergency water supply from Mirani Dam in Kech District through tankers. The number of tankers is being gradually increased, and improvement is expected in the coming days. It was also noted that Jiwani, Pishkan, and nearby areas are facing similar water shortages.
The Chairman GPA presented proposals for a sustainable solution, including laying a dedicated pipeline from Mirani Dam and installing additional desalination plants.
Expressing concern over the current situation, Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed all relevant departments to mobilize every available resource to control the crisis. He instructed that Chinese engineers and experts be engaged through the Chinese Embassy to ensure the GPA Water Desalination Plant operates at full capacity.
The meeting was informed that the Ministry of Energy has initiated work on an Integrated System Plan for Gwadar to stabilize power supply. Under the plan, local power generation units and renewable energy projects are being considered. QESCO has already taken swift measures, including installation of shunt reactors, auto-voltage regulators, and polymer insulators, to ensure uninterrupted supply of 40–45 megawatts of electricity.
The Federal Minister directed that all water and power projects be expedited and a comprehensive water study be conducted to formulate long-term plans for sustainable management of Gwadar’s future water needs. He emphasized that the government is determined to permanently resolve the water crisis in Gwadar through coordinated and result-oriented action.
