Zardari floats state land bank idea

President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday proposed the establishment of a ‘State Land Bank’ for the productive use of the government land by attracting funding from international financial institutions and stock exchanges.

Chairing a briefing on the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), the president directed that the Kachhi Canal project be completed within 18 months to irrigate around 713,000 acres of land in Balochistan. He also asked the federal government to provide funds for the project on a priority basis.

During the meeting, also attended by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and senior military officials, the president was briefed on the construction of six strategic canals under the GPI – Chashma Right Bank Canal, Kachhi Canal, Rainee Canal, Greater Thal Canal, Cholistan Canal, and Thar Canal.

President Zardari was informed that the construction of these strategic canals would help enhance the agricultural potential of Pakistan by increasing the cultivable area and boosting the livestock and fisheries sectors.

The president directed that work on these strategic canals be initiated and stressed their early completion. President Zardari also called for concrete lining of the canals to prevent seepage and wastage of water.

He also proposed the establishment of a State Land Bank to productively utilise the state-owned lands surrounding these strategic canals by securing funding and investment from international financial institutions and the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).

He stressed the need for developing the country’s irrigation sector on modern lines to conserve water, reduce water losses, and enhance water availability. He also underlined the need for promoting drip irrigation in the barren areas surrounding the canals.