PM Abbasi inaugurates Kachhi Canal in Balochistan's Sui

DERA BUGTI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday inaugurated the first phase of Kachhi Canal project after visiting Sui area of Dera Bugti district in Balochistan.

Delivering an inaugural speech, the premier said that the project is symbol of love between Punjab and Balochistan. “[Former PM] Nawaz Sharif should have been here today as this project was envisioned by him,” he added.

He said the previous governments have come but only made empty promises to secure votes, adding: “If people make the right decision when casting votes, they will see positive results of their voting.”

According to State Radio, the Canal will irrigate 72,000 acres of land in the far-flung areas of the district.

“Whole country was indebted to Balochistan as the gas from Sui had allowed other provinces to progress, it’s time for this province to progress,” Abbasi said.

Calling inauguration of the project as government’s responsibility, he further this is not a favour to people of Balochistan but a repay of debts to the province from rest of the country.

All schools and public offices have been shut in the district on the premier’s visit as the authorities have announced local holiday today.

Kachhi canal project is deemed highly important for the development of water infrastructure and irrigate agriculture in Balochistan. The canal is said to be 363km long, which takes off from Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffargarh district of south Punjab and comes to an end at Dera Bugti district in Balochistan.