High-Level Meeting on Kachhi Canal Phases 2 and 3 Held to Address Challenges and Feasibility

Quetta: A high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mohammad Moin Watto, was held in Islamabad on Tuesday to review and address the challenges faced by the Kachhi Canal Project Phases 2 and 3. The meeting focused on making the project feasible, ensuring protection from possible hilly flood torrents, and assessing its environmental impact.

Chief Ministers of Balochistan, Mir Sardar Fazal Baloch, and Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, joined the meeting via video link, alongside key officials such as the Minister of Irrigation Balochistan, Mir Sadiq Umrani, Minister of Irrigation Sindh, Jam Shoro, and relevant federal and provincial authorities.

During the discussions, Mir Sardar Fazal Baloch emphasized the importance of forming a committee of experts to address unresolved technical issues, a proposal that was unanimously approved by the participants. It was also agreed to establish a Joint Technical Working Group comprising experts from Balochistan, Sindh, and the federal government. This group will produce a comprehensive technical report with actionable recommendations within the next three weeks to mitigate the risks of flooding and enhance the project’s feasibility.

In his address, Mir Sardar Fazal Baloch stressed that the Kachhi Canal project is of vital economic importance to Balochistan, likening it to the backbone of the province’s economy. He highlighted that completing the project would allow for the irrigation of millions of acres of land in the region, significantly boosting agricultural productivity. He also reiterated the Balochistan government’s desire to resolve all outstanding issues through mutual consultation to ensure that no party has any reservations about the project’s progress.

The Chief Minister of Balochistan further emphasized the need for a sustainable and viable solution to the project’s challenges, one that would not only benefit Balochistan but also avoid causing flood damage in neighboring regions, including Sindh. He expressed confidence that the collaboration between Balochistan, Sindh, and the federal government would ensure the successful completion of the Kachhi Canal Project, laying the foundation for an agricultural revolution in the region.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to working together to overcome the challenges and move the project forward in the interest of both provinces and the country at large.