Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has mandated the completion of the Kachhi Canal project within the next 1.5 years to irrigate over 700,000 acres in Balochistan, aiming to enhance the agricultural output of the region significantly. The directive was issued during a meeting focused on the Green Pakistan Initiative, underscoring the project’s critical role in expanding Pakistan’s agricultural and irrigation capabilities.

According to Press Information Department, the meeting, held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, also covered the development of six strategic canals integral to the Green Pakistan Initiative, which includes the Chashma Right Bank Canal, Rainee Canal, Greater Thal Canal, Cholistan Canal, and Thar Canal alongside the Kachhi Canal. These projects are expected to increase the cultivable land area, and improve the livestock and fisheries sectors. The federal government has committed to funding the Kachhi Canal to ensure its priority completion.

During the discussions, President Zardari called for the immediate commencement of work on these strategic canals, emphasizing the necessity of their early completion and the installation of concrete linings to prevent water seepage and wastage. He highlighted the importance of modernizing Pakistan’s irrigation sector, advocating for the adoption of water-conserving techniques such as drip irrigation in barren areas adjacent to the canals.

Further, the President stressed the need to enhance the functionality of the Indus River System Authority and proposed the creation of a state land bank. This initiative would utilize state-owned lands surrounding the strategic canals to secure funding and investment from international financial institutions and the Pakistan Stock Exchange.

The meeting also touched on the establishment of 27 telemetry points to accurately monitor water availability and flow, enhancing the management of water resources across the country.