The irrigation department in Sahiwal has suspended nine officials, including two sub-divisional canal officers, for alleged involvement in facilitating canal water theft. Disciplinary proceedings have been started against them under the Peeda Act, a Punjab law that governs departmental action against government employees. The step is part of a province-wide crackdown on water theft, and the department is also looking into its own staff.
The suspended group includes two sub-divisional canal officers (SDOs), two sub-engineers, two mates and three baildars. SDOs supervise a sub-division of the canal network, while mates and baildars are field-level irrigation staff who handle the day-to-day running of water outlets.
Officials named and suspended
Sources said the suspensions followed a recommendation from Khalid Sarfraz, the Sahiwal Zone Irrigation Chief Engineer. The Punjab Irrigation secretary suspended Muhammad Suleman Munawar, SDO of the Ganji Bar Niawala Bungalow sub-division, and Tariq Abbas, SDO of Renala Khurd. Chief Engineer Sarfraz separately ordered the suspension of two sub-engineers, Muhammad Bilal Hussain and Muhammad Zaman, from the same two sub-divisions.
The suspended officers have been directed to report to the department's administrative office while further inquiry continues. The two mates and three baildars were also suspended over alleged irregularities, and departmental proceedings will decide their responsibility and any penalties.
Officials said the action followed public complaints of corruption and the manipulation of government-sanctioned water outlets, known as moghas. Investigations found that some officials allegedly colluded with large farmers and influential landlords to enlarge outlets beyond approved sizes, or to alter them through unauthorised downsizing and modifications. Such changes allow excessive withdrawal of canal water, which harms tail-end farmers at the far end of a canal who receive water last.
Criminal cases and what comes next
Sources said the department had registered two criminal cases against 88 farmers, including 13 nominated suspects, for allegedly stealing canal water by breaking official outlets in Chak 56/5-L and Chak 57/5-L. The cases relate to incidents reported from Rajbah 5-L between November 2 and 6, in which several farmers allegedly damaged government outlets to divert water for unauthorised use. No arrests have been made so far.
Irrigation EXEN Talha said the ongoing campaign is meant to curb corruption, protect water for small and tail-end farmers, and enforce accountability within the department's own ranks. Monitoring teams have been activated across the region to identify violations and to make the distribution of irrigation water more transparent. Sources said scrutiny of officials suspected of working with influential landowners has been tightened.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 2 November: water theft incidents were reported from Rajbah 5-L, according to sources.
- 6 November: the reported period of incidents at Rajbah 5-L ended, with several farmers allegedly damaging government outlets.
- Undated in the sources: two criminal cases were registered against 88 farmers, and nine officials were suspended in the crackdown.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Sahiwal mein irrigation department ne nau afsaron ko muattal kar diya hai jin par nehri paani ki chori mein madad dene ka shak hai. Kathit taur par ye afsar aur kuch bade kisan moghay (paani ke darwazay) ka saiz badal kar zyada paani nikaal rahe thay, jis se chhote aur akhri kisanon ka hissa kam ho jata hai. Do case 88 kisanon par darj hue hain, lekin abhi tak kisi ki giriftari nahi hui. Agar aap kisan hain ya nehri paani par nirbhar hain, to is se paani ki munasib taqseem ka sawal jura hai.
