In a much-needed relief effort, authorities have started supplying water through tankers from Mirani Dam in Turbat to Gwadar and nearby towns, after months of worsening shortages left residents struggling for even basic needs.
The decision emerges as part of an emergency plan led by Balochistan Assembly member Maulana Hidayatur Rehman, who also heads the Jamaat-i-Islami in the province. He chaired a review meeting in Gwadar on Tuesday to evaluate the water situation and coordinate immediate action.
A City Thirsting for Relief
For weeks, large parts of Gwadar — once envisioned as the “Gateway to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” — have been grappling with severe water shortages. The only functioning sources, Shadi Kaur Dam and a limited-capacity desalination plant operated by the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), have been unable to meet the rising demand of the growing coastal city.
“Residents in older parts of the city have been getting some supply from the GPA plant,” one official shared, “but new housing areas and nearby localities have faced serious shortages. Bringing water from Mirani Dam is a temporary but crucial step to bridge the gap.”
The meeting was held at the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) office, and it was attended by GPA Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch, GDA Director General Moinur Rehman Khan, Chief Engineer Haji Syed Muhammad, Additional Deputy Commissioner Dr Abdul Shakoor Khan, PHE Executive Engineer Momin Ali, and Gwadar Municipal Committee Chairman Majid Johor, among others.
Officials informed the participants that phased tanker deliveries had already begun, with dozens of tankers making daily trips from Mirani Dam — a roughly three-hour drive away. “We’re adding more tankers in the coming days to stabilize supply,” said a senior GDA official.
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Ensuring Fair Distribution
One of the major challenges discussed during the meeting was the fair and transparent distribution of water. It was decided that GDA and PHE teams, supported by local councilors, would oversee water deliveries at the neighborhood level to prevent hoarding or misuse.
“We have a strong desire to make sure every household gets water — not just government departments or big consumers,” Maulana Hidayatur Rehman emphasized during the meeting. “Water is a basic right, and we’ll make sure it reaches the masses who need it the most.”
To prioritize domestic use, authorities agreed that public water storage tanks would be reserved exclusively for household consumption. Government offices, commercial entities, and construction projects would be required to arrange their own water supplies through independent procurement.
Addressing Tanker Owners’ Concerns
The meeting also discussed ongoing issues with tanker operators, who raised concerns over government-fixed transport rates amid rising fuel costs. After deliberation, it was agreed that a “reasonable increase” in tariffs would be recommended to the provincial government to keep the service operational.
Officials further assured tanker owners that payments would be processed every 15 days, without any delays or unnecessary deductions — a move aimed at maintaining confidence among private suppliers vital to the emergency response.
Extending Help Beyond Gwadar
In addition to Gwadar city, it was decided that Jiwani and nearby coastal localities would also receive tanker supplies under the same relief plan. These areas, often overlooked in past initiatives, face equal hardship as their reservoirs have nearly dried up.
As the first tankers rolled into Gwadar’s dusty streets on Tuesday evening, residents gathered with buckets and containers, visibly relieved. “It’s not a permanent fix,” claimed by one local shopkeeper, “but at least tonight, we’ll have water to drink and cook with.”
For now, Gwadar’s lifeline flows once again — carried not by pipes, but by the determination to keep a thirsty city alive.