Balochistan High Court summons officials over water shortage in Hazara Town, Hazarganji

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court has ordered action on the lack of drinking water in Hazara Town and Hazarganji. It has directed the officials concerned to appear in person and submit a comprehensive report. A two-member bench of Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najamuddin Mengal heard a constitutional petition on the supply of drinking water in Hazara Town, Karkhasa and Hazarganji and the alleged monopoly of private tubewell owners. The bench expressed concern over delays by the officials concerned in implementing court orders.

Hearing

During the hearing, Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail remarked that the petition was filed on 21 September 2023. He said that, despite several orders and repeated directions issued by the court at different times, the Quetta Water and Sanitation Authority (QWASA) had so far shown no satisfactory progress.

Asked by the court, the WASA executive engineer said that tubewells had been made functional in the Karkhasa area. He said there were also two reservoirs with capacities of 300,000 and 200,000 gallons, through which drinking water was being supplied to areas with a pipeline network.

He further said that the installation of 11 tubewells in Hazarganji had also been completed. However, he said, work was obstructed after police arrested officials of the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) amid some official and administrative issues. He said an NOC had now been issued in favour of WASA and the remaining necessary work was expected to be completed in the next five to six months.

On the other hand, the petitioner’s lawyer, on behalf of local residents, particularly those of Hazara Town, rejected WASA’s position. He told the court that residents still did not have proper drinking water facilities and that private tubewell owners were allegedly holding a monopoly over water supply. According to him, residents were deprived of government water supply despite making monthly payments, while private tubewell owners continued to sell water.

The petitioner’s lawyer further said that, despite the court’s orders of 9 October 2025 and 1 December 2025, no effective steps had been taken to stop private tubewell owners from using WASA pipelines and selling water. As a result, he said, the problems of residents persisted.

Court orders

In view of these circumstances, the court directed the Commissioner of Quetta Division, the Deputy Commissioner Quetta, the Managing Director WASA, the Chief Engineer WASA, the Secretary Public Health Engineering (PHE) and other officials concerned to appear in person at the next hearing and submit a comprehensive report.

The court specifically directed the Deputy Commissioner Quetta, as Chairman of the Balochistan Groundwater Rights Authority, to submit a report on the total number of tubewells installed and operating in the area, their details and their legal status. He was also asked to state whether the tubewell owners concerned held NOCs issued by the competent authorities.

The court also directed WASA’s legal adviser to place the legal opinion issued on B-WASA on the court record. It further directed that copies of the order be sent to the officials concerned and the office of the Advocate General Balochistan for information and compliance.

The court adjourned further hearing of the case until 2 November 2026 and ordered the officials concerned to ensure implementation of the directions.