'Will not allow exploitation': CJP Nisar wants report on theft of water from River Ravi, Abasia Canal

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

'Will not allow exploitation': CJP Nisar wants report on theft of water from River Ravi, Abasia Canal

Rana Bilal Published December 30, 2018

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar said an operation should be conducted against those who steal water from the River Ravi and Abasia Link Canal. ─ File photo

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, while hearing a petition alleging that water is being stolen from the River Ravi and Abasia Link Canal by India, ordered the Punjab Irrigation Department Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza on Sunday to submit a report on the matter by January 4.

"Why is India stealing our water?" the Justice Nisar enquired, asserting, "We will not let India steal Pakistan's water."

He added that the court would "not allow water to be stolen from poor farmers from the Abasia Link Canal." He explained that stealing water from them was "synonymous to sucking their blood".

The chief justice asked if the Punjab government was aware of whether India was stealing water from the Ravi river, and if so, what steps had been taken to remedy the situation.

The secretary, Murtaza, replied that water was not being stolen by India, to which the chief justice ordered that an operation be conducted by the Irrigation Department and police against those who steal water.

"We will not let anyone be exploited. Cases should be registered against those who steal water in Pakistan," Justice Nisar thundered, adding that Murtaza should tell those in power that this was the top judge's warning.

World

Rana Bilal is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn News (TV) with over nine years of experience covering legal affairs, justice-sector developments, and environmental issues. He can be found on X at @ranabilaldawn.

THE KISHANGANGA CONUNDRUM

Indus water breakthrough

The river Ravi has run dry in Lahore but this monument stands as a reminder of its Mughal past

OUTRAGED

Dec 30, 2018 01:58pm

It is heartening to see that court has taken notice of water theft from canals.This was long overdue since water theft from irrigation canals by powerful, in connivance with corrupt authorities, is order of the day in Pakistan.This results in water shortage at the tail end, as a matter of routine, and prevents optimum water productivity & rural poverty alleviation. In fact irrigation water is used as a political/Wadera weapon in Sindh to keep the people in line.There are host of illegal direct outlets in sindh.This issue is well documented in reports of donor agencies.

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Zack Abdi

Dec 30, 2018 02:05pm

Step in right direction to mitigate root causes of water stress. Water is Precious is not a cliche, rather, a stark reminder that action is necessary for sustainable future. CJP is a super cop. Micro management can be counterproductive. Accountability is required by all stakeholders.

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asif paul

Dec 30, 2018 03:27pm

irrigation deptt pakistan is a very inflated in expenses but doin nothing in irrigation webeing

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bhaRAT©

Dec 30, 2018 03:30pm

India's nefarious act needs stopping.

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asif paul

Dec 30, 2018 03:30pm

a very intelligent step against our irrigation deptt by our cief justice as deptt looting only in the past and did very less against the target

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Rushi

Dec 30, 2018 05:20pm

CJP please read INDUS WATER TREATY..

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Sat

Dec 30, 2018 05:59pm

Do not blame India for all Pakistan problems.

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Shah

Dec 30, 2018 07:24pm

Dig a little deeper and you will find Indian involvement in Punjab Irrigation Department. The previous Pakistani top chief of Indus Water dealing was also a suspect as he did not bother to send an advocate to Europe when water theft case was being handled and Pakistan’s case was dismissed.

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kamal

Dec 30, 2018 07:42pm

"The secretary, Murtaza, replied that water was not being stolen by India." This speaks for itself. Blaming India for all their problem is not to fix the real problem.

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Sajjad

Dec 30, 2018 10:33pm

@kamal, That was his opinion. He was told to investigate further.

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Dilgeet

Dec 30, 2018 10:37pm

This should be discussed between parties.

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Abdul sheikh

Dec 30, 2018 11:31pm

I am dumbfounded.

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Jey

Dec 30, 2018 11:33pm

Very strange..one of the indian state is not sharing water to other state in India..so our supreme court also unable to settlthehat issue..but you are trying to sort out the country sharing water crisis...biggest joke..

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MSAlvi

Dec 30, 2018 11:50pm

@Rushi, Under the Indus Water Treaty, I believe, India was allowed to make full use of Ravi river.

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Patriotic Indian

Dec 31, 2018 01:30am

Water is not being stolen by India. Glad to hear that Punjab’s Irrigation secretary confirmed that india is not stealing any water.

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Pathanoo

Dec 31, 2018 02:52am

So, Now the CJP disregarding the Punjab Government Irrigation Secretary who said that India was NOT stealing water from Pakistanfrom river Ravi; will proceed with an enquiry any ways and tell India what to do. BRAVO!!! CJP.

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420

Dec 31, 2018 04:07am

@Zack Abdi, really a super cop?

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Himmat

Dec 31, 2018 06:53am

Pull India to Pakistan's court.

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Alla Bux

Dec 31, 2018 07:04am

Did the Honorable CJP read the Indus Water Treaty?

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Prada

Dec 31, 2018 07:10am

The stipulations of the Indus Water Treaty goes way over the heads.

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Sachin

Dec 31, 2018 07:31am

@Sajjad There are no "opinions" in court. Only affidavits.

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LAHORI KID

Dec 31, 2018 08:08am

@Rushi, India should the one reading the treaty, why is it that India is never at fault? Why is it always Pakistan's fault. Enough of this nonsense.

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vivek

Dec 31, 2018 09:05am

@LAHORI KID, because as per Indus treaty India has been given FULL control of three eastern rivers including Ravi.India was bound to give water from these rivers for only 10 years transition period which has lapsed long ago.So there is no question of stealing or not stealing by India.

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