Abdul Majeed Badini Alleges Illegal Water Theft on Pat Feeder Canal, Claims Irrigation Officials Earn Rs150 Million Annually

DERA ALLAH YAR: Abdul Majeed Badini, Parliamentary Secretary for S&GAD Balochistan, has alleged that some officials of the provincial Irrigation Department are involved in illegal water theft from the Pat Feeder Canal through unauthorized pipelines, claiming the practice generates around Rs150 million annually.

Speaking at a press conference at the district office of Jamaat-e-Islami in Dera Allah Yar, Badini said the severe shortage of canal water has created an alarming situation in Jaffarabad District, describing the conditions as extremely difficult for residents and farmers.

He claimed that Mir Sadiq Umrani had acknowledged that water was being stolen through illegal pipelines connected to the Pat Feeder Canal but had expressed concern that action against those involved could upset political supporters and voters.

According to Badini, a report submitted to a court states that more than 400 illegal pipelines have been installed along the canal, allowing influential landowners to divert water unlawfully. He alleged that this has deprived tail-end areas of their fair share of irrigation water.

The parliamentary secretary said he has filed 10 petitions in court seeking equitable distribution of canal water, adding that courts have issued contempt notices against irrigation officials in three of those cases. He alleged that the department has failed to comply with court orders and resolutions passed by the provincial assembly.

Badini further said that during a meeting attended by tribal figure Sakhi Shahnawaz Khan Umrani, an agreement was reached with the irrigation minister under which Jaffarabad would receive canal water for three days each week and Nasirabad District would receive water for four days.

He warned that if the agreement is not implemented from Monday, farmers and landowners across the district would launch protests within three days.

Badini demanded the immediate removal of all illegal pipelines from the Pat Feeder Canal and called on the authorities to ensure Jaffarabad receives its lawful share of irrigation water.

The allegations made by Abdul Majeed Badini against irrigation officials have not been independently verified, and no official response from the Irrigation Department was included in the statement.