12 December 2004	Sunday	29 Shawwal 1425

LAHORE, Dec 11: Punjab Irrigation Minister Aamir Sultan Cheema said on Saturday wheat sowing on 85 per cent of the targeted area had so far been completed in the province.

"Wheat has so far been sown on 2.6 per cent more area at provincial and 3.7 per cent at national level than the corresponding period last year," Mr Cheema told a delegation of farmers here on Saturday.

The minister said farmers of the province deserved a pat on the back for exceeding the wheat sowing target in spite of irrigation water shortage.

He said his department would stand shoulder to shoulder with the farmers and run all the canals at full capacity till Dec 15. Water supply would be decreased gradually and canals closure would start in phases from Dec 26.

Availability of required water in February and March would be ensured for the wheat crop, Mr Cheema said.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi was himself supervising the whole process, the minister said and added: "We should also pray for rain in January."

Led by MPA Chaudhry Zahid Iqbal Sindhu, the members of the delegation assured the minister of their full support for achieving the wheat sowing target.