QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court expressed strong displeasure over the severe drinking water shortage in Hazara Town and surrounding areas of Quetta, describing the deprivation of this basic necessity as serious administrative negligence that cannot be tolerated.
It ordered the Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Finance, QESCO, WASA, PHE, to submit a detailed progress report by November 6, 2025. A two-member bench, led by Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail, heard a constitutional petition filed by Qurban Ali and ordered immediate action from WASA, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE), and QESCO to address the crisis. The court noted that residents face extreme difficulties due to poor inter-departmental coordination and project delays caused by funding shortages.
Secretary PHE Hashim Ghilzai and WASA MD Muhammad Gul informed the court that incomplete reservoirs and tube wells, due to funding issues, limit the supply of 700,000 gallons of water to Hazara Town, originally intended for 260 homes but now serving 3,200 residences. They noted that 40 new tube wells, supported by the World Bank, have been approved by ECNEC. Additionally, Rs20billion has been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme, including Rs400million for these tube wells, but delays in fund disbursement persist.
WASA Executive Engineer Waseemuddin reported that while dozens of tube wells are complete while many projects are stalled due to QESCO’s inaction and financial constraints. All nine tube wells in Kharkhsa are operational, yet the Hazara Town water crisis is only 40pc resolved.
Residents refuted WASA and PHE’s claims, alleging a private water mafia illegally sells water through WASA pipelines, charging Rs30,000–40,000 for connections and Rs2,500–3,000 monthly. The court condemned this as illegal and unjust, ordering WASA’s MD to cancel such contracts and ensure direct water supply through WASA’s resources. The court directed the Secretary PHE to coordinate with the Additional Chief Secretary (Development) and Secretary Finance for urgent fund releases and to meet QESCO’s CEO to secure electricity for completed tube wells. It also ordered a comprehensive plan for underground reservoirs and overhead tanks, alongside proposals for solarising water supply schemes.
The court mandated the dissolution of existing community tube well committees in Hazara Town, Faisal Town, and A-One City, with new committees to be formed under the Quetta Division Commissioner’s supervision, including local representatives.
Justice Mulakhail remarked, “Providing drinking water is a fundamental government responsibility. Negligence will not be tolerated, and leaving citizens to private mafias is an injustice and a violation of law.” The court ordered the Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Finance, QESCO, WASA, PHE, and other authorities to submit a detailed progress report by November 6, 2025.