DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Farmers staged a protest here on Tuesday against the alleged large-scale theft of irrigation water from the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC), accusing the irrigation department and Wapda of failing to ensure the fair distribution of water.

The demonstration, organised by Aiwan-i-Zaraat (Chamber of Agriculture), was held at Mission Mor here following an emergency meeting attended by a large number of farmers and landowners from across the district.

The protest, organised by the Dera Ismail Khan Chamber of Agriculture, saw farmers gather at Mission Mor after an emergency meeting, despite the intense heat, where they demanded an immediate end to alleged water theft, equitable distribution of irrigation water and withdrawal of what they termed “false” cases against cultivators.

The protesters chanted slogans against CRBC Wapda and the irrigation department, demanding immediate action to curb water theft and ensure that water reached its rightful beneficiaries.

Addressing the gathering, Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Ehsanullah Khan Miankhel, who participated in the protest, assured farmers of his support and said he would raise the issue on the floor of the provincial assembly.

The emergency meeting, chaired by Aiwan-e-Zaraat district president Haji Abdul Rashid Dhap, alleged that more than half of the water released into the CRBC was being diverted illegally before reaching authorised cultivators, placing thousands of acres of agricultural land at risk of becoming barren.

The participants said farmers who regularly paid water charges and other government levies were being deprived of irrigation water, while those allegedly obtaining water through illegal means continued to irrigate their fields.

Mr Dhap described the alleged theft of canal water as “economic murder” of farmers.

He alleged that influential individuals were benefiting at the expense of legitimate cultivators and demanded immediate action against those involved in water theft as well as officials accused of facilitating the practice.

He warned that if authorities failed to address the issue, the protest movement would be expanded across the district.

Farmer leader Mehr Shah Ustrana said agriculture formed the backbone of the country’s economy, yet cultivators were being denied their fundamental right to irrigation water. He alleged that corrupt officials within CRBC Wapda were exploiting farmers and called for their accountability.

Haji Saleem Awan said the communities served by the canal had long-established legal rights over its water, but legitimate farmers were now struggling to obtain even a fraction of their allocated share. He said growers would continue their peaceful protest until equitable water distribution was ensured.

The protesters demanded a transparent inquiry into the alleged water theft and strict legal action against both those involved in the illegal diversion of water and any officials found complicit.

The participants also unanimously adopted a resolution warning that if their demands were not met, they would establish a protest camp, block roads and seek the registration of a case with the Federal Investigation Agency against officials allegedly involved in facilitating water theft or failing to act against those responsible.

They also decided to formally inform the deputy commissioner about the situation. The participants warned that if their demands were not met, they would launch a district-wide protest campaign, holding authorities responsible for any escalation.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2026