Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Tuesday directed the provincial Irrigation Department to prepare a comprehensive plan to increase the cultivable command area in the province. He emphasized that expanding irrigated land is essential for ensuring food security, which remains a top priority for the provincial government.
Presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Sohail Afridi instructed relevant departments to collaborate and develop innovative solutions to maximize agricultural output. He also called for the introduction of a modern asset management system for irrigation infrastructure, GIS mapping of canal systems, and the creation of complete digital records for departmental operations.
The Chief Minister further directed full digitalization of all departmental affairs, including the abiana (water charges) collection system, highlighting that digitalization would enhance transparency and overall performance. He also ordered the formulation of a comprehensive flood contingency plan and the preparation of coordinates and video documentation for canal cleaning and repair.
In addition, CM Afridi stressed the recruitment of staff to fill vacant posts in the irrigation department and ordered an end to the “own-pay-scale” culture, emphasizing that sufficient manpower must be hired to meet operational needs. He also urged timely completion of under-construction small dams and the development of tourism facilities near these dams to benefit local communities.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister that over 2.412 million acres of land in KP are currently cultivable. Through small dams already constructed, more than 321,000 acres of land have been made cultivable, while 24 small dams currently under construction are expected to add an additional 61,000 acres.
Provincial Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan and other relevant officials attended the meeting, which covered departmental responsibilities, development projects, irrigation infrastructure, administrative affairs, and budget allocations. The meeting underscored the provincial government’s commitment to modernizing irrigation systems and ensuring sustainable food security in KP.
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