President Asif Ali Zardari has directed the authorities concerned to complete the Kachhi Canal project within one and half years to irrigate around 713,000 acres land of Balochistan province. Chairing a meeting on the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday, he said that the federal government would provide funding for the project to ensure its timely completion on a priority basis, said a press release issued by President House. On the occasion, the president was briefed about the construction of six strategic canals for the Green Pakistan Initiative. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi and senior military officials. He was informed that the construction of six strategic canals, viz. Chashma Right Bank Canal, Kachhi Canal, Rainee Canal, Greater Thal Canal, Cholistan Canal, and Thar Canal, would help enhance the agricultural potential of Pakistan by increasing the cultivable area as well as the livestock and fisheries potential of the country.

President Asif Zardari directed to kickstart work on strategic canals for GPI and ensure their early completion, besides lining them with concrete to prevent seepage and wastage of water. He urged the need to develop Pakistan’s irrigation sector along modern lines to conserve water, reduce water losses, and enhance water availability. He also underlined the need to promote drip irrigation in the barren areas surrounding the canals. The president underscored the need to revamp and improve the Indus River System Authority. He also proposed establishing a state land bank to productively utilize state-owned lands surrounding strategic canals by securing funding and investment from international financial institutions and the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The meeting was also briefed that 27 telemetry points would be established to ensure accurate data sharing regarding the availability and flow of water.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan