Published June 5, 2026 Updated about 2 hours ago By Mushtaq Ghumman ISLAMABAD: The federal government has reportedly earmarked Rs 179 billion for nearly 44 (43 ongoing and one new) water sector development schemes and hydropower projects under Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2026-27 due to financial constraints. Of total earmarked amount of 179 billion, required local funding will be about Rs 106.620 billion whereas rupee cover requirement of 72.379 billion. According to the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, for ongoing hydel projects, Rs 42.666 billion have been earmarked, of which Rs 25 billion are proposed for Dasu Hydropower Project(stage-1), Rs 4.284 billion for Warsak Hydroelectric Power Station ( 2nd rehabilitation) Rs 3.4 billion will be for 1410 MW Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower project, Rs 3.00 billion for Attabad Lake Hydropower project ( 54 MW), Rs 2.062 billion for rehabilitation of Dargai Hydroelectric power station(PC-1), Rs 2.7 billion 34.5 MW Harpo Hydropower Project, Rs 1.4845 billion for refurbishment and up-gradation of generation units of Mangla power station enhancing the capacity from 1000 MW to 1310 MW and Rs 736 million for capacity enhancement of Chitral Hydropower station from 1 MW to 5 MW. The proposed allocation for some of the ongoing water sector schemes/projects are as follows: (i) Diamer Basha Dam Project (inclusion of Tangir Hydropower project) Rs 25 billion); (ii) Diamer Basha Dam Project– acquisition of land and resettlement ( 2nd revised ( revised PC-1 is under approval process) Rs 7.00 billion;(iii) Mohamand Dam Hydropower project – Rs39 billion; (iv) raising of Mangla Dam project (2nd revised PC-1) Rs 4.598 billion; (v) revised PC-1 for installation of telemetry system for real time discharge monitoring at 27 key sites on Indus Basin Irrigation System(IBIS)- Rs 5.755 billion (total cost…