QUETTA: A Senate subcommittee on Less Developed Areas has expressed serious concerns over rising costs, delays and potential adverse impacts of major dam projects in Balochistan, directing relevant authorities to conduct fresh assessments and submit detailed reports.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Jan Muhammad Baloch, was held in Islamabad, where officials from the Planning Commission and relevant departments briefed members on projects being implemented under the Aghaz-i-Haqooq-i-Balochistan Package.

Senator Baloch raised concerns over the Panjgur Dam, warning that restricting the natural flow of the main river could adversely affect local communities and traditional irrigation systems.

He sought detailed reports from Suparco and Wapda, particularly on the project’s potential impact on the local population and surrounding areas.

The committee also questioned the sharp rise in the revised cost of Gish Kaur Storage Dam from Rs11bn to Rs44bn and asked the authorities to rea­ssess its financial viability and benefits for local residents.

Reviewing road infrastructure projects, officials said 86pc of the Quetta Bypass had been completed, while work on the Awaran-Hoshab Road was 64pc complete. The committee stressed the need for timely funding and completion of priority road projects, including the Karachi-Chaman Highway.

PAC voices concern

Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee of the Balochistan Assembly has expressed serious concern over a discrepancy of approximately Rs7.71bn between the provincial government’s financial statements and State Bank records, directing the Finance Department to establish an effective reconciliation mechanism and resolve outstanding audit objections within 45 days.

The committee meeting was chaired by PAC Chairman Asghar Ali Tareen.

During a review of the Accountant General Balochistan’s certification audit report, the committee was informed that, as of June 30, 2023, the government’s financial statements showed account balances of more than Rs23.06bn, while SBP records reflected approximately Rs15.29bn, resulting in a discrepancy of around Rs7.71bn.

Audit officials attributed the difference to poor record-keeping, unrecorded outstanding cheques and delays in reconciling accounts with SBP and NBP.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2026