CM Highlights Importance of Water Resources and Irrigation in Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT: Caretaker Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Justice (R) Yaar Muhammad, has said that Gilgit-Baltistan holds the status of a “water tower” for Pakistan and stressed the need to give special attention to the protection of glaciers and lakes in the region.

He expressed these views while speaking during a departmental briefing given by the Department of Water Management and Irrigation. The caretaker chief minister said that the irrigation department plays a vital role in promoting the agricultural sector in Gilgit-Baltistan. He noted that proper utilization of natural water reservoirs in various nullahs could help provide clean drinking water to the public and boost agriculture. For this purpose, he emphasized the need to conduct surveys for the construction of check dams in different areas.

Justice (R) Yaar Muhammad welcomed the federal government–supported project to construct protective embankments in all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan to prevent flood damage. He directed the relevant departments to ensure early approval of these projects by the National Flood Commission.

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He further stated that the repair of existing water channels and construction of new ones would help increase cultivable land in the region. Highlighting the severe impacts of climate change on Gilgit-Baltistan, the caretaker chief minister directed that, with the support of donors, comprehensive scientific data on all water reservoirs and glaciers in the province should be prepared.

Emphasizing the importance of the irrigation department, he called for measures to further improve and strengthen the performance of this newly established department. He also instructed the provincial secretary for water management to work on a project for the cleaning and rehabilitation of the two historically significant canals in Gilgit, a long-standing public demand. He said that the repair and cleaning of these canals would enhance the area’s beauty and promote agricultural development.