{
  "id": 18043717,
  "title": "PPP-PML(N) row: NA panel again puts off WAPDA bill review",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/ppp-pml-n-row-na-panel-again-puts-off-wapda-bill-review",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-04T00:25:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40447274/ppp-pmln-row-na-panel-again-puts-off-wapda-bill-review"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Tuesday, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources put off discussion of the WAPDA Security Force Bill, 2026, amidst disagreements between the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The committee, led by Ahmad Ateeq Anwar, also established a four-member subcommittee to examine the prolonged delays in the K-IV water supply project for Karachi, despite significant spending. The committee requested a thorough report within one week on alleged water theft from the Kachhi Canal, asking authorities to explain if the issue had been reported to relevant departments and what action taken. The committee was told that the WAPDA Act, 1958, currently lacks statutory provisions regarding a security setup for WAPDA. After discussion, the committee decided to postpone the consideration of the WAPDA Security Force Bill, 2026, until their next meeting. Concern was expressed over the K-IV water supply project's delays, which have persisted for nearly two decades. The WAPDA Chairman informed the committee that the revised PC-I of the project anticipates an estimated cost of Rs171 billion, but completion would not automatically make the project operational, requiring an additional 50 megawatts of electricity. Committee member Javed Hanif Khan questioned the inability to complete the project despite substantial expenditure. The issue of water supply to Dera Bugti areas of Balochistan and alleged water theft from the Kachhi Canal was also discussed. Mian Khan Bugti claimed that the people of Balochistan had been promised water through the Kachhi Canal, arguing it represented the province's right. He alleged that water was being taken from the canal in certain areas of Punjab, depriving intended beneficiaries in Balochistan. The WAPDA Chairman stated that water is withdrawn from canals across the country, and provincial governments must devise effective measures to prevent water theft. The committee directed authorities to clarify if alleged water theft from the Kachhi Canal had been reported to relevant departments and if any action had been taken. They also asked for a detailed report on the issue's status and actions taken within one week. The WAPDA Security Force Bill, 2026, will be addressed at the committee's next meeting.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources on Tuesday again deferred consideration of the WAPDA Security Force Bill, 2026, amid differences between the government and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while constituting a four-member subcommittee to investigate prolonged delays in the K-IV water supply project for Karachi despite huge expenditure. The committee, headed by…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}