LAHORE - Provincial Minister for Irrigation Mohsin Khan Leghari has said that the department is taking practical measures to nab the bad practice of water theft. 

 “All-out resources are being utilised in this regard, he said during a meeting with a delegation of farmers’ organisations here on Friday. 

The Minister said that ensuring the provision of water at the tail is the top priority of the department. 

Giving details about punitive actions taken against the water thieves, the Minister said that during a drive against water theft in 2020, as many as 11,074 illegally changed water channels were restored on its original form.  Similarly, he added, 16,168 cases of water theft were reported to the police while 302 FIRs were registered and 896 thieves were arrested.    

Also, Irrigation Minister has expressed satisfaction over the pace of desilting of Sirajwha Distributary of Sadiaqia Canal being carried out by Irrigation Department. It is worth mentioning that resectioning of Sirajwha Distributary is taken place after long period of 19 years as no government paid attention on desilting of this distributary in their respective tenures. Mohsin Leghari said that he personally monitoring desilting campaign and this work will be completed within the stipulated time-frame so that provision of allotted water to the farmers can be ensured.