TAXILA: The Rawalpindi Division Director Water Management Dr Mohammad Iqbal Chauhan on Saturday said 573 mini-dams had been constructed across the Rawalpindi division during the last three years in which 216 are in Attock district.

He was talking to newsmen here after inaugurating drip irrigation system.

He said the system had been installed on 5,000 acres in Attock district while 20,000 acres in Rawalpindi division. He further said 30,000 acres had been cultivated while as many as 996 lift irrigation schemes have been completed in the division while wells have also been dug to deal with water crisis.

Besides, solar system has been installed which will not only run drip systems but save energy as well.He said water crisis could be controlled by preventing its loss.

Responding to a question, he said like other districts of Punjab, the Punjab government is installing drip and sprinkler systems under 60pc subsidy schemes in Attock and Rawalpindi divisions.

Dr Chauhan said various projects are being executed in Rawalpindi division especially installation of drip irrigation system to prevent wastage of water in fields, reducing water crisis in canal areas.

Indian Sikh pilgrims due on 20th

Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, particularly from neighbouring India, are scheduled to arrive in Hassanabdal on Nov 20 on a three-day holy pilgrimage in connection to 552 th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikh religion, Baba Guru Nanak.

Talking to newsmen here, deputy secretary, shrines, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Imran Gondal said around 3,000 Sikhs from India while over 1000 from other parts of the world especially UK, Canada and UAE would also visit Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal.

He said that the religious rituals including yatra Punja Sahib, Matha Taki and Ashnan would be carried out under Covid-19 health safety protocol.

Besides, they will also visit to the shrine of Baba Wali Qandhari at the hilltop and recite from their holy book Garanth Sahib.

Responding to a question, he said that Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had made elaborate security, boarding and lodging arrangements for the visiting Sikh devotees.

He said police commandos and elite force personnel would be deployed on security duty and that the board has installed security cameras in and outside the gurdwara.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2021