The Ministry of Water Resources has opposed the solarisation of agricultural tubewells in Balochistan, citing the ongoing depletion of the water table in the province.
During a Senate Standing Committee meeting, Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza emphasized that low groundwater levels make the installation of solar panels ineffective as a solution to the region’s water crisis.
This opposition comes as both federal and provincial governments plan to provide solar panels to farmers in Balochistan to alleviate financial burdens, with outstanding dues exceeding one trillion rupees.
Murtaza stated that halting the installation of solar panels is essential to mitigate the worsening water situation.
Senator Shahadat Awan, who chaired the meeting, expressed concerns over the lack of recent surveys on groundwater levels, noting that no assessments have been conducted since 2021.
He highlighted the urgency of addressing groundwater depletion, drawing comparisons to similar crises in neighboring Iran.
The committee aims to gather accurate data regarding tubewell installations and assess the impact of solar panel usage on water extraction.
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Officials from the Ministry of Water Resources noted that adherence to previous directives is crucial for managing the water crisis.
The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration among relevant departments to prevent further tubewell installations and to ensure effective monitoring of water levels in the province.
