“The landowners said, ‘We are fed-up with WAPDA,’ and WAPDA officials said, ‘We are fed-up with the landowners,’” said Asghar Rind, Balochistan’s Parliamentary Secretary for Energy, during a live Balochi Current Affairs TV show. He also mentioned that a committee has been formed, comprising representatives from QESCO, the Agriculture Department, and the Energy Department, to develop a regulatory mechanism that will be implemented after the solarization of agricultural tube wells is completed.

Recently, following numerous protests and a sit-in outside the Balochistan Assembly by farmers and landowners, the Government of Balochistan decided to solarize approximately 28,000 agricultural tube wells in the province to address the long-standing issue of power outages in agricultural feeders. The federation is investing 70%, while the province is contributing 30%. This decision persuaded the landowners to end their sit-in, with the Government of Balochistan successfully aligning both the landowners and the federation, reflecting a win-win situation. While the project is yet to be implemented and its various aspects are still being fully understood and addressed, concerns about its effectiveness and regulation have already ignited debate in public and intellectual circles. The primary worry is the potential for unchecked water extraction and its impact on the water table.

Tariq Baduzai, a Doctor of Pharmacy and landowner from the Dasht Kumbela area of Mastung District in Balochistan, is pessimistic about the initiative. He has numerous concerns regarding its operational sustainability and long-term effects. “In the tehsil where I live, there are eight feeders servicing 1,600 tube wells. When electricity was provided for six hours a day, it was manageable, but solarizing the system could lead to disaster. Excessive extraction might cause water levels to plummet to 1,600 feet within a few years,” he said, his tone tinged with skepticism.

Tariq understands the issues faced by landowners and the reasons for their welcoming attitude toward the initiative. He explained that corruption and negligence by QESCO officials have contributed to this situation, resulting in significant losses for landowners, which has left them frustrated. “Let me give you an example,” he said. “The QESCO officials frequently shut off power every thirty minutes, which disrupts the submersible pumps in the tube wells.” He estimated that replacing a malfunctioning machine costs approximately 200,000 rupees. He questioned, “Why wouldn’t landowners go for solar panels if this is how QESCO has treated them? Every landowner has 60 to 70 people depending on their land for sustenance.”

As an educated individual, Tariq’s perspective may differ from others, yet his pessimism is rooted in his experiences with a broken system throughout his career as a student and landowner. “I have never seen a single Agriculture Officer visit Dasht in my entire life, even though our area is adjacent to the capital city of Balochistan. What more can one expect?” he remarked when asked how relevant authorities could establish a proper regulatory mechanism for long-term sustainability.

He did have a few suggestions. He recommended assigning Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to oversee these matters, along with other relevant departmental officials at the district or tehsil level, to ensure that mechanisms are enforced after the policy is formulated. “It may not be likely to happen, but we have to live here, and we need to hold onto a glimmer of hope,” Tariq concluded.
Mir Amanullah Sumalani, a landowner from Dasht in Mastung, believes that solarization is being promoted as an alternative to electricity and as a means of developing the agricultural sector. While farmers may experience temporary benefits, he thinks this process could lead to a major crisis in the long term. “In Balochistan, where agriculture relies on tube wells, the water table is rapidly declining each year. The lack of electricity, combined with the increase in tube wells, unscientific agricultural methods, and poor farming practices, is negatively impacting the region’s mineral resources,” he said.

Amanullah, like Tariq, is also pessimistic. He believes the rapid decline in the water table due to solarization will soon lead to the extinction of agriculture in the region. “When government fails to provide guidance on modern agricultural practices, and the public continues to use traditional methods, solarization will only be effective if strict adherence to legislation and technical regulations regarding underground water levels is ensured. Otherwise, alongside agricultural decline, there will be a shortage of drinking water, leading to widespread unemployment and crisis,” he said.

For this story, we consulted an industry expert from a water management institute in Pakistan, who requested not to be named. According to the expert, the large-scale installation of solar tube wells for agriculture in Pakistan can severely affect the country’s water resources. Without proper regulation, increased groundwater extraction can lead to significant declines in water levels, causing land subsidence and reduced recharge, with far-reaching environmental consequences, including habitat disruption and ecosystem alteration.

“In the event of an unexpected drop in water levels due to unchecked extraction, contingency plans should be put in place to mitigate the effects, especially in water-scarce regions like Balochistan. This can include monitoring water levels and extraction rates to identify high-risk areas, implementing water-saving technologies such as drip irrigation, and promoting crop diversification to reduce dependence on water-intensive crops like cotton and sugarcane,” the expert said.

When asked about the energy transition, he replied that long-term initiatives should focus on sustainable agricultural practices, efficient irrigation systems, and water harvesting and storage to make the energy transition effective while managing water levels in Pakistan. This includes promoting water-efficient technologies, developing water-recharge infrastructure, and encouraging sustainable agriculture practices. By taking a holistic approach to water management, it is possible to reduce the risks associated with solar tube well installation and ensure a sustainable energy transition.

“To address the challenges of solar tube well installation, additional policy measures should be implemented. These could include establishing a water regulatory authority to set and enforce water extraction limits and quotas, implementing water-saving incentives, and promoting water-efficient technologies. Developing drought management plans could also help reduce the risks associated with water extraction and ensure a sustainable energy transition. By taking a proactive approach to water management, it is possible to mitigate the impacts of solar tube well installation and secure a sustainable future for agriculture sector,” he suggested.
When we approached relevant government officials to discuss the issue, they voiced concerns about water depletion if extraction goes unchecked. Hafiz Majid, the Secretary of the Irrigation Department of Balochistan, emphasized the need to assess the impact of solarization on a basin-by-basin basis. “The province is divided into 18 basins and 73 sub-basins, each with varying rates of water withdrawal and recharge capacity,” he explained.

“Most of the basins experience low recharge rates coupled with high water withdrawal,” he added, noting that in certain districts, the water table has fallen to depths of 600 to 700 feet, with an average annual depletion of 20 feet. He stressed that solarization in these basins may need to be phased out rather than implemented all at once.

Majid also suggested strengthening local water management institutions to ensure they have the necessary resources and authority to enforce long-term regulations. In addition to implementing water-saving technologies in agriculture, he highlighted the importance of strictly enforcing existing regulations on groundwater extraction. He underscored the need for both technological and community investment in water conservation and sustainable practices.

Similarly, Imran Gichki, the Secretary for the Public Health Engineering Department, noted that converting electric-powered agricultural tube wells to solar-powered systems could lead to a decline in water levels over time. While solar power presents a sustainable alternative to electricity, it can have drawbacks if not managed properly. “Over the past decade, the demand for solar-powered tube wells has surged, and field officers have observed a significant drop in water levels. This is primarily because these tube wells now operate for 8 to 9 hours daily, compared to just 4 to 5 hours when powered by electricity,” he explained.

When asked about the studies the PHE is conducting to address these challenges, Gichki acknowledged the department’s awareness of these concerns. “We are conducting studies to assess the long-term impacts of solarization on groundwater resources. Our preliminary findings indicate that if solar-powered tube wells continue to operate without regulation, groundwater depletion could accelerate, leading to severe consequences for water availability in the region. We are advocating for controlled usage policies and sustainable water management practices to mitigate these risks,” he stated.

As Secretary of Public Health Engineering, Gichki stands for establishing a robust regulatory mechanism to monitor and control water extraction, particularly as agricultural tube wells transition from electric to solar power. He mentioned that an Integrated Water Resource Management policy is being drafted with assistance from the FAO and the European Union. This policy aims to create effective regulatory frameworks for managing water resources. However, given the recent approval for converting electric-powered agricultural tube wells to solar systems, there is an increasing urgency to implement regulatory measures.

The solarization of agricultural tube wells is seen as a game-changer in meeting the power needs of the agriculture sector; however, the looming threat to the water table cannot be ignored. If not managed carefully, this transformative initiative could lead to disaster. Balochistan has historically struggled with regulatory mechanisms, and effective implementation and enforcement have often remained distant dreams. The challenge the government has taken on now necessitates a serious approach to enforcement mechanisms. Historically, the enforcement of laws and policies has been limited to the security sector, but the focus is shifting from traditional security concerns to emerging threats like water and food security. As Balochistan confronts the harsh realities of global climate change, the government must prioritize the needs of its vulnerable population and ensure that the transition to solar power is just and genuinely serves the public interest.