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'Army, farmers will infuse new life in agriculture'

MULTAN: Corps Commander Multan, Lt-Gen Mohammad Yousuf Khan on Sunday said Pakistan Army, with the help of farmers, will infuse new life in the country's agriculture sector.

He said, "The exemplary army-masses unity in the national desiltation task has proved that they can accomplish even tougher nation-building tasks to achieve autarky and prosperity".

Addressing participants of the desilting work in DG Khan Division, where the campaign is in full swing these days, he said, "our objective is to provide irrigation water to all farmers through an equitable distribution". Now, even the tail-enders will get their full share as against the past practice, he added.

He observed that water thieves will have to face their just deserts, while small farmers' rights will be fully protected. The joint army-tillers crusade for a green revolution will, Insha Allah, be realised, he remarked.

According to army sources, the desiltation work at Mangla-linked canals and distributaries in Pakpattan, Okara, Sahiwal, Vehari, Khanewal, Lodhran and Multan districts has been concluded.

In Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan districts too the desiltation job, carried out by the Bahawalpur Garrison Jawans, is almost over.

Now, army jawans have joined the farmers to carry out the task at Tarbela-linked (perennial) canals in DG Khan Division, where the silt-removal drive is at its peak.

During the desiltation work in Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh districts where the soil is hard, a brief interval has been given, so that the wheat crop is irrigated in the region.

Second phase of desiltation will start from February 20, to be completed by mid-March.

On Sunday, the Multan Corps Commander visited Kot Addu, Layyah and Dera Ghazi Khan to inspect the ongoing desiltation task.

During Corps Commander's visit the farmers appreciated army's help in desilting drive.

They expressed the hope that it will ensure an equal and equitable distribution of canal water among the farmers, big and small. The Corps Commander held out his assurance in this regard.

Commander Corps Engineers and other high military and civil officials were also present on the occasion. APP