QUETTA: A key meeting of WASA Quetta’s Board of Directors was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Public Health Engineering, Sardar Abdul Rehman Khetran.
The meeting was attended by PHE Secretary Imran Gichki, Additional Secretary Planning and Development Waqar Uz Zaman Kayani, Station Commander Quetta Brigade Kamran Sarwar, WASA Director Naseebullah, Additional Deputy Commissioner Quetta, Metropolitan Corporation Administrator, and other senior officials.
The WASA Quetta budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 was presented. Ex-Post Facto approval was given for the 2024 Ad-hoc Relief Allowance (25% and 20%). Approval was also granted for a 15% increase in pensions for retired employees and the deputation of police personnel to WASA.
Minister Khetran directed that water supply from Mangi Dam to Quetta city be fully restored by December 2025. He stated that WASA is neither supplying enough water to the public nor receiving sufficient revenue.
He expressed concern over rising electricity costs. He ordered that all WASA tube wells must be shifted to solar systems. He said development projects around the world are moving to solar energy, and similar steps will be taken in Balochistan.
The meeting decided to start immediate work on outsourcing the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) and solarization. Approval was given for the auction of WASA’s dead stock and obsolete items.
The minister instructed the department to improve performance. He said, “Work meant to take months should be completed in days to boost revenue and improve public services.”
The meeting agreed that if other boards are giving ad-hoc relief to employees, WASA staff will receive the same.
Sardar Khetran strongly criticized the tanker mafia. He said people pay Rs. 3,000 to tanker operators for water, but avoid paying government dues.
The MD WASA informed that many residents in some areas of Quetta are unaware of water bills.
Minister Khetran also ordered strict action against absent employees in the department.
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Secretary Imran Gichki proposed launching bottled water under a public-private partnership. He noted that the department already has quality water treatment plants.
