Advisor warns against politicizing irrigation projects, highlights 32-year delay in implementing approved canal scheme for KP’s agricultural transformation
PESHAWAR:Barrister Dr. Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, has called on the federal government to avoid politicizing the issue of irrigation canals and to give due consideration to the interests of smaller provinces.He said that the Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal (CRBC) project, pertaining to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, should not be entangled with new canal schemes in discussions at the Council of Common Interests (CCI).The CRBC (Lift cum Gravity) project was approved in 1991 by the Council of Common Interests. Following the CCI’s decision, canal projects were launched in three provinces, but implementation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained pending. Despite this, KP has assured 35% funding for the project.Barrister Dr. Saif strongly opposed any attempts to make the CRBC project controversial amidst emerging canal disputes. He criticized both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party, stating they have historically deprived Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of its fair share.“This project is crucial for transforming hundreds of thousands of acres of barren land in southern KP into fertile agricultural land,” he added.