ISLAMABAD, Sept 10 (ABC): The government’s water-sector development programme aims to protect around 15.76 million people from floods and add 12.8 million acre-feet (MAF) of water storage. The programme covers dams, irrigation infrastructure, urban water supply and flood management.
According to a document available with Wealth Pakistan, the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 includes 35 water-sector projects. These projects carry a total cost of Rs2.102 trillion and had a throw-forward of Rs880.267 billion as of July 1, 2026. The government has allocated Rs74.920 billion for them in 2026-27.
Major dams to expand water storage
Under Uraan Pakistan, the government aims to substantially increase surface-water storage capacity. The framework sets a target of raising storage by 10 MAF, from a 2023-24 baseline of 13.5 MAF to 23.5 MAF by 2029.
The development programme includes large, medium and small dams. It covers 21 projects, including Diamer-Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Nai Gaj Dam and Naulong Dam.
Together, the planned interventions are expected to add 12.8 MAF of storage capacity. The document projects total storage of 26.3 MAF after these interventions, compared with the 13.5 MAF baseline.
The additional capacity is expected to improve per-capita water availability. It will also provide more water for irrigation, industrial and domestic needs.
Irrigation upgrades target lower water losses
The programme also aims to improve water availability at the farmgate by reducing conveyance losses by 33%. It targets an increase in farmgate water availability from 63.5 MAF to 84.2 MAF.
Major irrigation works include the remodelling and lining of Pat Feeder and completion of the remaining works of Kachhi Canal Phase-I. Other projects include Chashma Right Bank Canal and the revised Kaitu Weir Irrigation and Power Project Component-I of Kurram Tangi Multipurpose Dam.
The planned interventions will replace old irrigation infrastructure and develop a 1.59-million-acre command area. The government also aims to increase water-use efficiency from the 40% baseline to 70% by 2029.
For Karachi, the programme includes the 260 MGD Phase-I of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme K-IV. It also covers improvements to the Kalri Baghar Feeder and Keenjhar Lake.
The planned works include plain cement concrete lining of Kalri Baghar Feeder Upper Phase-I. The K-IV project will supply an additional 260 million gallons of water per day to Karachi. This will raise the city’s overall water supply from 650 MGD to 910 MGD.
Real-time monitoring planned for Indus Basin
The government also plans to install a telemetry system at 27 sites across the Indus Basin. State-of-the-art equipment will provide real-time flow measurements at key locations and barrages.
The programme also includes a data centre and client workstations for key stakeholders. The system will provide round-the-clock information on river flows, gate openings and water levels.
Expected outcomes include expanding the culturable command area to 20 million acres and reducing conveyance losses. The programme also aims to reclaim land affected by waterlogging and salinity and increase crop production.
Flood measures to protect 15.76m people
Flood resilience forms another major component of the water-sector programme. The Integrated Flood Risk Management Plan covers implementation of the National Flood Protection Plan and the updated Flood Protection Sector Project-III.
It also includes a JICA-supported project to enhance flood management in the Indus Basin. In addition, the programme covers restoration of flood damage to the Kachhi Canal up to 323.47 kilometres.
The government plans 166 flood-protection schemes, 457 telemetry stations and five regional forecasting centres. The programme also covers watershed management, research, institutional strengthening and capacity building.
According to the document, these measures will provide flood protection to around 15.76 million people. They will also protect 2.276 million houses and 8.05 million acres of agricultural land.
Other assets identified for protection include 76 schools, 331 kilometres of metalled roads and 64 villages. The programme also covers 223 tube wells, 80 miles of irrigation canals and 12 basic health units.
In addition, the document lists 3,825 farm families among the beneficiaries and envisages reclamation of 121 acres of land.
Under the broader water-security goal, the government seeks to increase the water sector’s share in PSDP allocations. The document shows a baseline share of 10.52%, a 2029 target of 18% and a broader goal of increasing the sector’s allocation share by 20% by 2030.
