In a bold move aimed at revitalizing Pakistan’s agricultural sector, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir inaugurated the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) last week in the Cholistan area. The project, designed to irrigate barren lands and boost crop yield, promises substantial benefits for farmers in the region by providing high-quality seeds, fertilizers, modern machinery, and scientific support.
The inauguration, which took place in the Kandai and Chapu areas of Cholistan, was a grand event attended by key government figures, including Federal Ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain (National Food Security & Research) and Dr. Musadik Malik (Water Resources), along with senior provincial ministers and officials. The initiative promises transformative changes, with a focus on sustainable agriculture through modern technology and better resource management.
The Green Pakistan Initiative’s centerpiece includes the development of a Green Agri Mall and Service Company, which will serve as a one-stop solution for farmers, offering seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery at subsidized rates. The program also introduces a Smart Agri Farm, designed to maximize crop yield through a high-efficiency irrigation system. Additionally, the Agri Research and Facilitation Centre will provide technical support and laboratory services, aiming to improve agricultural practices through collaboration with research institutes across the country.
The Punjab Chief Minister emphasized that agriculture is the “lifeline of Pakistan” and praised the GPI for introducing contemporary practices that would mark the beginning of a new era for Punjab’s farmers. COAS Gen Asim Munir echoed this sentiment, highlighting Punjab’s importance as the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural sector and reaffirming the military’s support for the initiative.
However, the ambitious plan has not been without controversy, especially concerning the proposed Cholistan Canal, one of the key components of the GPI. While the project has the backing of the federal government, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), an ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) at the federal level, has raised serious concerns about the canal’s impact on the water supply for Sindh. The PPP has questioned the feasibility of constructing new canals like the Cholistan Canal, given the existing water shortages and the environmental strain on the Indus delta.
Sindh’s position is clear: the Cholistan Canal project must undergo thorough scrutiny by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) before any approvals. The federal government has moved to bypass this review process, leading to a growing rift between the provinces. Sindh argues that the region is already facing severe water shortages, with water availability dropping by 19.4% from 2019 to 2023, and that building new canals could exacerbate the crisis. Additionally, the lack of guaranteed environmental water flows for the Indus delta and the increasing number of “no-flow” days in the region have made the proposal increasingly contentious.
Despite these objections, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has given the green light to the construction of the Cholistan Canal, allocating a budget of Rs 225.34 billion for the project’s first phase. Still, tensions remain, as Sindh continues to call for a delay in final approvals until the CCI weighs in on the matter. Concerns about the canal’s impact on the lower riparian areas of Sindh, particularly the potential intrusion of seawater into the coastal region, add another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.
In the face of these challenges, Punjab’s Agriculture Minister, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, remains optimistic about the transformative power of the GPI. He believes that this initiative, along with other projects like the Kissan Card and Green Tractor Programme, will revolutionize the agricultural sector, modernize farming practices, and ensure food security for the country.
As the Green Pakistan Initiative moves forward, the federal government, provincial authorities, and military institutions are working together in a collaborative effort to overcome these challenges and usher in a new era of agricultural prosperity. However, the approval and construction of projects like the Cholistan Canal will depend on overcoming significant political and environmental hurdles, especially as Pakistan’s provinces continue to debate the best path forward for the nation’s water resources. — ER
