KP Demands Rs. 65 Billion From Punjab For Supplying Water to Murree Since 1947

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has demanded Rs. 64.62 billion in outstanding dues from Punjab over water supplied from Galiyat to Murree, citing unauthorized extraction and worsening water shortages in the region.

In letters sent to the federal government and Punjab, the KP government said the Murree Water Board has been extracting water from Galiyat without any formal agreement or compensation.

According to the KP government, around 500,000 gallons of water are being extracted daily from Galiyat and transported to Murree without authorization. The province said this has aggravated water scarcity in Galiyat.

The letter also urged the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to help facilitate an agreement between the two provinces.

KP maintained that the dues, amounting to Rs. 64.62 billion, have accumulated since 1947, when water supply from Galiyat to Murree began.

The provincial government also called for an immediate halt to the construction of a 2-million-gallon water tank by the Murree Water Board in Dunga Gali. It said the project was being carried out without approval from the Galiyat Development Authority.

The letters demanded that all natural water sources in the area be recognized as KP’s property and handed over to the province.

KP also proposed that, until a final agreement is reached, half of the extracted water should be allocated to Galiyat. It further said compensation for the remaining supply should be paid at market rates within two years.