By Ayesha Saba

Three water-sector projects worth more than Rs34 billion have moved forward in Balochistan, including two storage dams and a package of 20 delay-action dams aimed at improving water storage, irrigation and drinking-water availability in the province.

According to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives' Monthly Development Update – August 2026, available with Wealth Pakistan, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved two water projects costing a combined Rs14.295 billion in July, while another project worth Rs19.855 billion was recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The largest of the three is the third package of the 100 Delay Action Dams Project in Balochistan, involving construction of 20 dams at a revised cost of Rs19.855 billion. Sponsored by the Ministry of Water Resources, the project was recommended by the CDWP to ECNEC for consideration.

The package forms part of the wider programme for construction of 100 delay-action dams in the province. Such dams are intended to retain water and improve its availability rather than allowing flows to rapidly drain away.

The other two schemes have already been approved by the CDWP.

The Toiwar Batozai Storage Dam Project in Killa Saifullah district was approved at a revised cost of Rs6.999 billion. The project is sponsored by the Government of Balochistan.

The Shehzanik Storage Dam Project in Gwadar district, also sponsored by the provincial government, was approved at a revised cost of Rs7.296 billion.

Together, the three projects carry a revised cost of approximately Rs34.15 billion, combining larger storage infrastructure with a network of smaller delay-action dams.

According to the document, the water-sector projects considered during July are aimed at improving water storage, irrigation and drinking-water supply in Balochistan, where reliable availability and management of water remain important development requirements.

The projects represent two complementary approaches to water development. The Toiwar Batozai and Shehzanik schemes involve dedicated storage dams in Killa Saifullah and Gwadar, respectively, while the 20-dam package spreads water-storage infrastructure across multiple locations under the wider 100-dam programme.

The portfolio is particularly significant for Balochistan because the province's dispersed settlements and water requirements make storage infrastructure important for supporting communities and economic activity.

The two storage dam projects can proceed following their CDWP approval under the applicable development procedures, while the package of 20 delay-action dams will require ECNEC consideration following the CDWP's recommendation.

Credit: INP-WealthPk