LAHORE: The Punjab irrigation department has accused the police’s field formations of letting go water thieves unlawfully and requested the Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) to intervene and help end such a practice.
On the other hand, the department has also urged all top divisional and district officers and other concerned officials to cooperate with the department to control water theft by taking appropriate actions.
“The offences such as outlet tampering, canal water theft through syphon pipes, cuts, takkis, ghulrus, etc, bathing of animals in canals by damaging canal banks or concrete panels are dealt with by the designated canal officer in accordance with Sections 163 and 166 of the Punjab Irrigation, Drainage and Rivers Act, 2023,” the department explained in a letter to the IGP on Thursday.
The letter titled: “Strict prosecution and investigation of water theft cases and correct charging of non-bailable offences under the Punjab Irrigation, Drainage and Rivers Act, 2023”, further explained that Section 175 of the Act provides that, notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), all offences under the Act shall be bailable except those specified in Sections 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 169 and 170, which are non bailable.
Says local police releasing suspects on personal bonds or undertakings
“It has, however, been reported by canal officers that even in cases where robkar proceedings are initiated under Sections 163 and 166 of the Act, the accused are reportedly being released by the police stations on personal bonds or undertakings. Such practices will undermine the effective enforcement of the law, thereby encouraging the recurrence of water theft and other associated offences,” the department complained.
It merits mentioning that robkar proceedings mean the issuance of formal legal directives issued by a court or authorised judicial body to enforce punitive or corrective actions against the accused.
The department requested the IGP to direct all subordinate formations to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Punjab Irrigation, Drainage and Rivers Act, 2023. Furthermore, it said that all offences classified as non-bailable under the Act should be dealt with accordingly and the accused be prosecuted in accordance with the law to curb water theft and associated offences so that equitable distribution of canal water could be ensured among farmers.
In another letter dated Oct 25, the department recalled the constitution of various committees led by respective assistant commissioners in 2014 for carrying out regular combined inspection of channels, checking water theft and ensuring supply at tails. “The aforesaid committees may be activated immediately,” it sought.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the department to show zero tolerance towards water theft and non-availability of irrigation water to farmers, particularly at tail reaches.
The department in its recent communication to all chief engineers (irrigation) directed them to immediately activate the joint anti-water theft teams comprising ACs, SDCOs and SHOs, as already notified and restore regular inspections and effective action against illegal water diversions.
“The anti-water theft campaign must be robust, coordinated and result-oriented, with visible enforcement, apprehension of offenders and improved water availability to farmers. So, all chief engineers shall ensure immediate compliance in letter and spirit. Any laxity shall be viewed seriously,” the department warned.
Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2026
