Parliament Defers WAPDA Security Bill and Orders K‑IV Inquiry

Overview

• The National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources deferred consideration of the WAPDA Security Force Bill after PPP members raised specific objections to proposed arrest powers and sought additional briefings for their leadership.
• The committee appointed a four‑member subcommittee convened by Muhammad Idrees to investigate why Karachi’s K‑IV water project has remained unfinished since 2014 despite major spending and recent PSDP allocations.
• Committee briefings showed K‑IV Phase‑I needs 50 megawatts of electricity to meet a December 2026 completion target and that Rs10 billion has been allocated under the PSDP while authorities say more funding will be required.
• WAPDA’s chairman argued the new law is needed because the 1958 WAPDA Act lacks statutory provisions for a dedicated security force and cited over 100 attacks on projects as rationale for limited enforcement powers.
• Separately, Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner reported a Permanent Court of Arbitration award dated August 31, 2026, rejected India’s claim to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and affirmed the treaty remains in force.