Under the Green Pakistan Initiative, Mahfooz Shaheed Canal is being constructed to irrigate the barren areas of Cholistan.

According to a Radio Pakistan report, this project is being developed in compliance with the National Water Policy 2018 and has been approved by the Indus River System Authority.

The 176-kilometer-long Mahfooz Shaheed Canal will be built on the Sutlej River, stretching from Sulemanki Headworks to Fort Abbas. The canal will have a total water capacity of 4,120 cusecs. It will utilize floodwater from June to October, while during the remaining period, water will be drawn from Punjab’s allocated share.

The Punjab government has leased 1.2 million acres of land for this project and allocated 225.34 billion rupees for its completion. Upon completion, millions of acres of land will be irrigated and made cultivable.

Agriculture experts have termed this initiative significant for Pakistan’s future, emphasizing that it will benefit farmers and contribute to addressing food security challenges.