Quetta:A meeting chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday in Islamabad addressed the Kachhi Canal project, with participation via video link from Balochistan’s Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, provincial ministers Mir Sadiq Umrani, Haji Ali Madad Jatak, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Additional Chief Secretary for Development and Planning Hafiz Abdul Basit, Secretary Irrigation Hafiz Abdul Majid, and other relevant officials.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti highlighted the history and current issues of the Kachhi Canal project, which began in 2002 but faced prolonged delays. Progress resumed in 2013, with Phase 1 successfully irrigating 100,000 acres of barren land in Balochistan. Unfortunately, the canal suffered damage from the 2022 floods, leading to a halt in water supply, which in turn disrupted agriculture and left many dependent on farming unemployed. The situation has deteriorated to the point where people are now facing shortages of drinking water and have started migrating.
Chief Minister Bugti proposed that dredging be undertaken to restore water flow in the Kachhi Canal. He emphasized the necessity of reinstating the canal to alleviate the suffering of agricultural workers and suggested that water distribution should commence even before long-term flood mitigation strategies are developed. This would provide immediate relief and job opportunities, thereby reducing unrest.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal agreed with the Chief Minister’s proposal and instructed relevant authorities to prioritize the restoration of water supply to the Kachhi Canal. He assured that water distribution would be initiated within the next five to six months, ahead of the implementation of broader, long-term plans.
