DERA GHAZI KHAN: A watercourse has been filled upand closed allegedly on the instructions of the additional deputy commissioner (revenue), putting hundreds of plants and trees at the gardens and orchards at the Water Management Office and on other government premises at risk of drying out.

According to an official correspondence dated Oct 6, 2026, the deputy director of agriculture for on-farm water management, Dera Ghazi Khan, sent a request to the deputy commissioner (DC), seeking restoration of the watercourse.

The letter states that a portion of the watercourse passing in front of the ADC’s official residence was filled up on his orders to avoid the foul smell of sewage-mixed irrigation water.

It is important to note that once the watercourse reaches government offices premises, sewage begins to mix with its water. But the action has halted the supply of irrigation water to the plantation for more than two weeks.

The letter notes that despite requests to the executive engineer (EXEN) irrigation concerned, water supply remains blocked. It was also suggested that a separate scheme might be prepared and included in the district government budget for lining the entire watercourse or further direction may be sought from the irrigation department for its lining under an ongoing project.

Furthermore, the on-farm water management agriculture department has requested that the irrigation department be advised to control or stop the release of sewage into the watercourse as it does not fall under its purview.

The letter highlights that fruit trees and lawns on the premises have started wilting due to the lack of irrigation.

Emphasizing the government’s special focus on trees and other plantations, the deputy director on-farm water management requested immediate directions for restoration of the watercourse.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Niaz Baig was contacted for his version but he did not offer any comment.

Irrigation EXEN Hafiz Junaid said the department was engaged in settling the issue by involving all stakeholders.

Commissioner Chaudhry Ashfaq has reportedly taken notice of the situation and directed DC Barrister Bilal Saleem to settle the matter.

The DC said he had summoned a meeting of the irrigation department, on-farm water management department and ADCR to discuss the issue.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026