DERA GHAZI KHAN: The irrigation department has launched a campaign against water theft from canals through illegal water outlets, unauthorised pipes and illegal lift pumps in the Dera Ghazi Khan irrigation zone.

According to a presentation issued by the DG Khan irrigation zone on Nov 3, a total of 46 decades-old illegal lift pumps had been removed from the DG Khan main canal and the Dajal branch in the DG Khan-I and DG Khan-II divisions during its anti-water theft drive which had been initiated a week ago.

The department said that robkars of all water theft incidents were sent to the concerned police station for FIRs, while two FIRs had been registered.

It said the campaign included removing unauthorised pipes and repairing tampered outlets to prevent illegal diversion of irrigation water and ensure fair distribution among farmers.

The department also highlighted legal provisions under the Punjab irrigation laws to curb water theft, including Section 163, which prohibits damaging, obstructing or interfering with canals and unlawfully diverting water, carrying a fine of up to Rs100,000 and imprisonment of up to three years. Whereas, it said that Section 166 prohibits unauthorised use or diversion of irrigation water and tampering with irrigation structures, with a fine of up to Rs15,000 and imprisonment of up to one year. Section 140 provides for special charges of up to 10 times the standard water rates for unauthorised water extraction.

The document further states that if the primary offender cannot be identified despite reasonable efforts, liability may be assessed against the beneficiary or owner of the land receiving the illegally diverted water.

Meanwhile, the department has reported 97.21pc progress in the generation of e-Abiana bills for the Kharif 2026 season in the DG Khan zone. Of the 1,328 villages, bills have been submitted for generation in 1,291 villages, while 37 remain pending.

The presentation also noted that the water share allocated to the Muzaffargarh and DG Khan canals under the Rabi 2026-27 Indus Zone (Tarbela Command) distribution plan was 22pc lower than the previous year’s share.

The campaign is aimed at curbing illegal water extraction and improving compliance with irrigation regulations amid concerns over the equitable distribution of canal water, it said.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2026