ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal chaired a high-level meeting in Gwadar on the city’s power shortages and water supply issues.
The meeting focused on the Gwadar Solar Plant and Water Supply Projects as long-term solutions. Residents have struggled for years with electricity and clean water.
Senior officials attended, including Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Power Division, CEO QESCO, DG Gwadar Development Authority Moinur Rehman Khan, Chairman Gwadar Port Noorul Haq Baloch, and DC Gwadar Hamoodur Rehman.
Officials noted that electricity shortages disrupt water distribution across Gwadar. Minister Iqbal directed authorities to review plans for a 170MW solar power plant. He stressed that renewable energy can meet both residential and industrial needs while cutting dependence on conventional sources.
For immediate relief, the government decided to allocate 2MW of electricity to keep water pumping systems running. This step aims to stabilize water supply and prevent breakdowns during outages.
Officials reported that recent rains have raised water levels in the Shadi Kaur Dam. Work to restore water supply from the dam is in progress and should finish within days. But they warned that a stable power supply is vital for effective distribution.
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Minister Iqbal said Gwadar’s growth depends on reliable utilities. He emphasized combining short-term relief with long-term solar investment. The meeting set a framework to improve infrastructure, ensure steady utilities, and support the city’s people and industries.
