The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved the construction of a water supply scheme to Gwadar Town from Mirani Dam under the Balochistan Socio-Economic Development Projects Phase-III.

The decision was made during a CDWP meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Professor Ahsan Iqbal. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Zahid Saleem and BSDP Project Coordinator/Project Director Shehzad Hassan Jaffardar, representing the Balochistan government.

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The project, initially estimated at Rs29 billion, was recommended by the CDWP for cost reduction by approximately 20% to Rs23.82 billion, resulting in an estimated saving of Rs5.235 billion without any change in design or scope. It was referred to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval.

During the review, Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the provincial government to initiate a study on wastewater treatment in Gwadar, emphasizing that the city should not be allowed to become another Karachi with sewage polluting the sea. He also permitted the project to proceed to the bidding stage to save time, but instructed that the contract should not be awarded until ECNEC approval is granted.

The project is part of the government’s Uraan Pakistan development and reform agenda, aiming to build sustainable water supply infrastructure for the port city through a 125-kilometre pipeline from Mirani Dam.

Published in Balochistan Dispatch, August 31th , 2026