TOBA TEK SINGH, Sept 11: The treasury will shortly table a bill in the Punjab Assembly to enhance punishment for water theft, says Irrigation Minister Amer Sultan Cheema.

Addressing an open court in the District Council hall, he was optimistic that the passage of the bill would work as a deterrent.

Various union council nazims and farmers accused the Bhaghat subdivision SDO of extorting money from cultivators. The minister asked the Toba DCO and canal superintending engineer, Faisalabad circle, to hold an inquiry and proceed against the SDO if he was guilty.

District Nazim Chaudhry Muhammad Ashfaq informed the open court that for raising the water supply indent of Toba Tek Singh district canals, he would meet the Punjab chief minister.

FAISALABAD: Addressing a court here, the minister said a mega project was being launched for lining of the canals under a phased programme which would cost Rs 2,000 million and its approval was in the final stages.

He said Faisalabad zone canals would be repaired and restored to their actual design by spending Rs 700 million. “The work on this project will begin by September-end.”

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....