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Desilting work of canals reviewed

RECORDER REPORT

FAISALABAD: Corps Commander Mangla-I, Lt. General Tauqir Zia reviewed work for the desilting of canals in Toba Tek Singh near here on Saturday.

He was told that approximately 684-miles-long 107 canals and water courses of Toba Tek Singh and Jhang will be desilted during which 1,98,35,000 cubic feet silt will be removed.

Lt. General Tauqir Zia also attended a briefing in civil rest house, Toba Tek Singh. Kharian Garrison GOC, Major General Rizvan Qureshi and Brig. Khalid Khursheed briefed the corps commander while Commander Engineer Brig. Iqbal Sharif, Colonel Abbasi and other senior army officers were also present during this briefing.

He was told that during first and second phase of desilting campaign 1,755 water holes were checked and thoroughly examined. Out of these 495 were found defective while 451 have been repaired thus completing 96 percent repair work of the canals. He was further told that army jawans are participating in this campaign along with the local farmers to ensure early completion of this gigantic task.

Later, the corps commander reviewed desilting work in Dabbanwala minor. Divisional Commissioner Major Iqbal Ahmed Raja, DIG Tariq Masood Khusa, Deputy Commissioner Toba Tek Singh Aftab Habib (Rtd), SP Aamer Zulfiqar Khan, ADCG Arif Anwar Baloch, irrigation chief engineer and other senior officers were also present during the visit.

The corps commander was told that during first phase, 38,55,000 cubic feet silt was removed from 104-miles-long 15 canals of the district Toba Tek Singh while 27,47,000 cubic feet silt would be exhumed from 106-miles-long 13 canals during the second phase. He was further told that 51 percent desilting work of the second phase was completed up to January, 20, in the districts of Jhang and Toba Tek Singh. "The officials of the district administration and the Irrigation Department also contributed substantially in this campaign," he was told.

Lt. General Tauqir Zia also met the farmers and army jawans participating in the campaign in Dabbanwala minor. Appreciating their spirit and devotion, he said that they are doing a great service to the nation by restoring the capacity of the canals and ensuring maximum canal water to the farmers. He said every segment of society must play its role devotedly for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Pakistan.