The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has demanded Rs 64.62 billion in outstanding dues from Punjab. The claim relates to water supplied from Galiyat to Murree since 1947. Consequently, KP demands Rs 65 billion from Punjab for unauthorized extraction. The province cited worsening water shortages in the Galiyat region. In letters sent to the federal government and Punjab, KP said the Murree Water Board has extracted water without any formal agreement or compensation.

Around 500,000 gallons of water are being extracted daily from Galiyat. The water then travels to Murree without authorization. This extraction has aggravated water scarcity in Galiyat. Therefore, KP demands Rs 65 billion from Punjab to compensate for the losses. The dues have accumulated since 1947, when water supply from Galiyat to Murree first began. The letter also urged the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to help facilitate an agreement between the two provinces.

KP further called for an immediate halt to construction of a 2-million-gallon water tank. The Murree Water Board is building this tank in Dunga Gali. However, the project lacks approval from the Galiyat Development Authority. The letters demanded that all natural water sources in the area be recognized as KP’s property. The province wants these sources handed over immediately. Meanwhile, KP demands Rs 65 billion from Punjab as interim compensation.

Until a final agreement is reached, KP proposed that half of the extracted water should stay in Galiyat. Compensation for the remaining supply should be paid at market rates. The province wants this payment completed within two years.