PESHAWAR – The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial cabinet has officially approved the permanent closure of a major water conservation initiative. Specifically, the government ended the rainwater harvesting project in rain-fed areas after official performance evaluations revealed the program had very limited practical utility.
Following the sudden shutdown of the campaign, authorities immediately terminated all contract employees and daily-wage workers associated with the venture. However, the provincial cabinet approved a dedicated budget to settle all outstanding salaries and financial dues for the displaced staff.
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According to official documents, the government will distribute a total of 26.99 million rupees to clear outstanding liabilities. Additionally, the administration has set aside another 27.73 million rupees strictly for unpaid back-wages. Officials confirmed that the program will officially cease to exist once the departments clear these final financial accounts.
Why the Water Initiative Failed
The state launched this environmental campaign several years ago with ambitious goals. Primarily, the plan aimed to secure water conservation, store monsoon rains, and optimize natural water resources across the province’s arid zones.
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Nevertheless, recent assessments from relevant departments painted a disappointing picture of its execution. The evaluation reports indicated that the rainwater harvesting project in rain-fed areas failed to deliver sustainable long-term results, prompting the cabinet to cut its funding entirely.
Recovery of State Assets
Consequently, the provincial government has moved quickly to reclaim its physical property from the field. Right after the shutdown order, authorities took official custody of all vehicles, heavy machinery, and office equipment used during the project.
In conclusion, these recovered assets will now return to the central government pool for future deployment in other departments. For a province currently navigating tight fiscal constraints, pulling the plug on underperforming projects marks a shifting strategy toward stricter financial accountability.
