The Balochistan High Court on Thursday took notice of the lack of drinking water supply in Hazara Town and Hazarganji, ordering senior Quetta and provincial officials to appear in person and submit a comprehensive report.
A two-member bench of Chief Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najam-ud-Din Mengal was hearing a constitutional petition on drinking water for Hazara Town, Karkhasa and Hazarganji, and on an alleged monopoly by private tube-well owners. The judges expressed concern that relevant authorities have delayed implementing earlier court orders.
What WASA told the court
The Executive Engineer of the Quetta Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA — the city body that runs water and sewerage) said tube-wells in Karkhasa have been made operational. He also said two reservoirs, with capacities of 300,000 and 200,000 gallons, are supplying drinking water where a pipeline network exists.
He told the court that installation of 11 tube-wells in Hazarganji has been completed, but work was interrupted after administrative and official problems linked to the arrest of Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) personnel by police. An NOC (no-objection certificate) has now been issued in WASA’s favour, and the remaining work is expected within the next five to six months.
Residents’ counsel disputes progress
Counsel for the petitioner, speaking for local residents especially in Hazara Town, rejected WASA’s account. He said people still lack adequate drinking water and that private tube-well owners have allegedly built a monopoly over supply.
According to him, residents pay every month yet remain without a government-provided water supply, while private owners continue to sell water. He argued that despite court orders of 9 October 2025 and 1 December 2025, no effective steps have stopped private tube-well owners from using WASA’s pipelines or selling water, so residents’ problems continue.
Who must report, and by when
Chief Justice Mulakhail noted that the petition was filed on 21 September 2023, yet despite repeated directives there has been no significant progress by Quetta WASA. The court directed the Commissioner of Quetta Division, the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta, the Managing Director and Chief Engineer of WASA, the Secretary of Public Health Engineering (PHE — the provincial department for public water schemes), and other relevant officials to appear at the next hearing with a full report.
The Deputy Commissioner, as Chairman of the Balochistan Groundwater Rights body, must report how many tube-wells are operating in the area, their details and legal status, and whether owners hold NOCs from the competent authorities. WASA’s counsel was told to place on the judicial record the legal advice given regarding B-WASA. Copies of the directive are to go to the concerned authorities and the Advocate General of Balochistan. The hearing was adjourned to 2 November 2026, with orders that the directives be implemented.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 21 September 2023: Constitutional petition filed on drinking water for Hazara Town, Karkhasa and Hazarganji and on private tube-well monopoly claims.
- 9 October 2025: Court order cited by petitioner’s counsel on stopping private tube-well owners from using WASA pipelines or selling water.
- 1 December 2025: Further court order on the same issue; counsel says no effective action followed.
- 29 October 2026: BHC bench hears the matter, records WASA’s update and residents’ rebuttal, and summons officials for a comprehensive report.
- 2 November 2026: Next hearing fixed; named officials ordered to appear in person.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Hazara Town aur Hazarganji mein peene ke paani ki kami par Balochistan High Court ne notice liya hai. Adalat ne Quetta ke bare afsaron aur WASA ko aghli sunwai par khud hazir hone aur poori report dene ko kaha hai. WASA kehti hai kuch tube-well aur tanks chalte hain, lekin rehne walon ke wakeel kehte hain ab bhi sarkari paani nahi milta aur private log bechte hain. Aghli sunwai 2 November 2026 ko hai — is se pata chalega ke amal kab shuru hota hai.
