Panel formed to address twin cities' water crisis
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, in response to a call-attention notice by Anjum Aqeel Khan regarding the dangerously low water table in the capital, he explained that the underground water level in Islamabad, which stood at 10 metres in 1960, has now dropped to over 120 metres. He attributed this alarming decline to rapid population growth and urban expansion.
The capital requires approximately 120 million gallons of water daily, but the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is currently supplying only 60 million gallons, meeting 90% of urban and just 15-20% of rural water needs. A mega water project is essential to bridge this gap adding that a feasibility study is already underway, he added.
He further informed the house that, to raise groundwater levels, CDA has revised its building by-laws, making rainwater harvesting mandatory for all new residential and commercial constructions. Soak wells are being installed to ensure that rainwater seeps into the ground, and the practice of groundwater extraction through boring is being actively discouraged.
To address the shortfall, treated water from Sangjani and water tankers from Khanpur are being used. He revealed that residents of a 10-marla house pay Rs192 per month for water, while those living in one-kanal houses are charged Rs280, rates that cover only half the actual cost of supply.
Highlighting the situation in rural areas, he said the government has launched 44 water supply schemes worth billions of rupees, but only 12 are currently operational.
The remaining projects are hindered by issues such as faulty motors or unpaid electricity bills.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NAP operations to continue without interruption: Talal Chaudhry
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry addresses the National Assembly on Aug 7, 2025. Photo: X/@NAofPakistan Listen to article Minister for State for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Thursday ruled out the possibility of any fresh military operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), maintaining that the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts under the National Action Plan (NAP) would continue without interruption. Responding to concerns raised by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Asad Qaiser and Pakistan Peoples Part (PPP) MNA Shazia Marri during a National Assembly session chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the minister made it clear that the state's resolve to combat terrorism remained unwavering. 'Let me be clear, NAP operations will not be stopped by anyone, no matter who they are,' he asserted. In a sharp critique of the PTI policies, Chaudhry questioned the party's past conduct. 'Who brought back the TTP? Which CM said, 'We won't fight or we'll end up like PPP or ANP'?' he asked. Also Read: Khawaja Asif rebuffs resignation rumours Speaking on the August 5 protests by PTI, the minister defended the government's security measures, including the closure of Parliament's gates. He cited enforcement of Section 144 and a large gathering near D-Chowk as valid concerns. 'The Parliament gates were shut for incoming crowds, not outgoing MNAs, who exited without obstruction,' he clarified. Regarding the PTI protest turnout, the minister downplayed its scale. 'In Islamabad, fewer than 100 protesters gathered and even those were detained briefly. No MNAs were arrested. In Punjab, 94 people were detained out of a population of 130 million,' he said, adding that most protests were symbolic and ended swiftly. Chaudhry rejected PTI's narrative surrounding the May 9 incidents, reiterating that popularity does not grant immunity from the law. 'Those who attacked state symbols did so for political gain and are now facing legal consequences,' he stated. 'Those who set fire to monuments were doing it for future election tickets, and now they're facing the consequences. Courts in Punjab and Peshawar are issuing rulings — what more fairness do you want?' قومی اسمبلی اجلاس کے دوران رکن قومی اسمبلی محترمہ شازیہ مری کا اربعین جانے والے زائرین کو بس کے ذریعے سفر پر عائد پابندی کے باعث درپیش مشکلات پر اظہارِ خیال۔#NASession @ShaziaAttaMarri — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 7, 2025 During the session, PPP's Marri raised the issue of pilgrims (Zaireen) who travel by road to participate in the Arbaeen walk during Chehlum. She expressed concern that a ban on land travel had left nearly 200,000 pilgrims stranded, as financial constraints prevent them from affording air travel. 'I request the government to arrange some subsidised flights for pilgrims who can't afford plane travel,' she said. Responding to her concerns, Chaudhry confirmed that land travel for Arbaeen pilgrims via Iran had been suspended due to regional tensions stemming from the Israel-Iran conflict. He said the interior ministry and provincial authorities were engaged in dialogue with protesting pilgrims and leadership of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM). Read: At least four killed in Wana IED blast He informed the House that a delegation had met ministry officials last Thursday, and further talks were held recently with MWM leader Engineer Raja Nasir Abbas. 'I'm ready to visit Karachi for continued negotiations,' he said, adding that the Sindh and Balochistan governments were fully aligned and the Sindh governor was in close contact with the protesters. The minister also shared that the prime minister had instructed the defence minister to ensure the facilitation of pilgrims via air travel. 'We have increased the number of flights and engaged foreign carriers, including Iranian and Iraqi airlines, to enhance capacity. Discussions are also underway to reduce fares,' he said. The House discussed and passed The Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025. The Bill was moved by Minister of State for Interior & Narcotics Control Mr. Talal Chaudhry on behalf of Senator Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control.#NASession — National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 7, 2025 During the course of the session, PPP's Syed Naveed Qamar proposed clause-by-clause amendments to the Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill 2025, aiming to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and people across the country's borders. These amendments were thoroughly discussed and ultimately approved by the National Assembly. Qamar expressed that the PPP had reservations regarding several clauses in the bill and suggested a wide range of improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the Authority. He emphasised that the purpose of the bill was to promote trade facilitation and to transform border crossings into welcoming points, rather than intimidating barriers that discourage cross-border traffic. After the amendments were approved, Chaudhry moved the bill on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. Following detailed deliberations, the House unanimously passed the Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025.
Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Internet firewall: Govt defends controversial rollout in NA
ISLAMABAD: Amid fierce criticism over the multi-billion-rupee internet firewall installation, the federal government on Wednesday staunchly defended the controversial rollout, insisting it is essential to protect the country's digital infrastructure from escalating cybersecurity threats. In a written response to a question raised in National Assembly by MNA Muhammad Jawed Hanif Khan, the Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, emphasised the firewall's role in protecting citizens' data and complying with legal mandates under Article 19 of the Constitution. 'The internet is central to economic activity in the era of the fourth industrial revolution,' Khawaja said. 'Safeguarding the data of citizens, institutions, and entities is of paramount importance.' The firewall, quietly installed last year, blocks access to websites deemed objectionable under Pakistani law, including content violating morality, national security, or public order. Civil society groups and digital rights advocates have criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the firewall's deployment, warning it represents unprecedented surveillance rather than mere content filtering. Industry insiders say the firewall operates at upstream internet gateways, using deep packet inspection and traffic rerouting to monitor and restrict online content in real time. Users and service providers have noted disruptions, particularly on WhatsApp and Facebook, while IT businesses cite degraded connectivity. Officials describe the firewall as a 'web management upgrade,' but digital rights organisations like Bytes for All view it as a full-scale surveillance apparatus. The country's Internet infrastructure remains underdeveloped compared to regional peers, hampered by weak fibre networks and low broadband penetration. Critics argue the firewall prioritises governmental control over genuine cybersecurity improvements. Khawaja reiterated that the firewall is based on constitutional provisions allowing restrictions on freedom of expression for national security and public order, highlighting the government's commitment to protecting the country's digital space while navigating complex legal and ethical challenges. Separately, the House approved two amendments to criminal law removing the death penalty for tearing a woman's clothes and for contacting hijackers. The amendments, presented by Law Minister Azam Tarar in the National Assembly, are part of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025. The first reduces punishment for tearing a woman's clothes, previously punishable by death under Section 354A – a provision introduced during late military dictator Gen Zia-ul-Haq's regime and criticised for misuse. 'The death penalty for this offence is being removed, and a lesser sentence imposed,' Tarar said. The second amendment abolishes the death penalty under Section 402C for anyone meeting or contacting hijacking suspects. This section was introduced under former president late Pervez Musharraf. The amendments faced opposition from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) MNA Aliya Kamran during the debate; however, the amendments were passed by a majority vote. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
NA overrules JUI-F, passes seminary bill
The National Assembly on Wednesday passed two bills including the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 as passed by the Senate. Both the bills were moved by Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Talal Chauhdry in the House. According to the statement of objects and reasons of Societies Registration Bill 2025, Deeni Madaris have been registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. However, it is proposed that those Madaris and Wafaqs already registered or desirous to get registered directly with Directorate General of Religious Education, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional training shall be reckoned to have been registered. The statement of objects and reasons of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 says that in an effort to comply with the requirements of GSP+, and Pakistan's international commitments under ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), three meetings with all stakeholders were held — to review reduction of the death penalty in order to bring it in line with international law and Islamic jurisprudence. The Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control proposed the draft Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposing omission of death penalty from Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 with an alternative punishment of life imprisonment in the relevant sections, the statement added. Alyia Kamran of the JUI-F sought to refer the bill to the standing committee for further deliberation but the house passed the motion with 87 votes in its favour while 41 against it. The house passed the bills through clause by clause reading. Speaking in the National Assembly, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said that harsh sentences did not necessarily deter crime. He said European countries where death penalty did not exist, yet the crime rate was just two per cent. Moreover, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah referred the Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill, 2025 to the concern standing committee with a direction to report back within 15 days to House. The Law Minister informed the House that the bill was passed by the Senate but it could not process due to dissolution of the National Assembly. He said that the bill aimed at bringing transparency in government departments. He requested the chair to refer the bill to the committee but with specific time to report back to the House. Meanwhile, Talal Chaudhry moved the motion to refer the Pakistan Coast Guards (Amendment) Bill, 2025 to the joint sitting for consideration and passage under sub rule (7) of the rule 154 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007 read with clause (3) of Article 70 of the constitution. Two news bills As many as two new bills including the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Motor Vehicles Industry Development Bill, 2025 were introduced in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry and National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain introduced the bills in the National Assembly respectively. Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah referred both the bills to the concerned standing committees for detailed deliberation. Meanwhile, two ordinances included the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 (Ordinance No. III of 2025) and the National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority Ordinance, 2025 (Ordinance No. VI of 2025) were laid before the National Assembly as required by clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution. The ordinances were laid by State Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry and National Food Security & Research Rana Tanveer Hussain in the House respectively. Moreover, as many as four reports of various standing committees including Interior and Narcotics Control and Cabinet Secretariat were presented in the House. Chairman Standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics Control Raja Khurram Shahzad presented the report of the Standing Committee on the bill further to amend the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 [The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2024] (Ordinance No. VI of 2023) in the House. Similarly, Chairman Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat Ibrar Ahmad presented three reports of the committee including the Asaan Karobar Bill, 2025, the National School of Public Policy (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the bill further to amend the Civil Servants Act, 1973 [The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill, 2025] in the House.
