Rehabilitation of Sulemanki Barrage: Punjab government, Chinese compay ink agreement

Punjab government and the Chinese company, Sino Hydro, signed an agreement, here on Tuesday, for the rehabilitation and up-gradation of Sulemanki Barrage and Pakpattan Canal. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest on the occasion. Under the agreement, the Chinese company will work on the project of rehabilitation and upgradation of Sulemanki Barrage, reconstruction of its bridge, Pakpattan Canal, Khadar Branch and PI Link.
The project costing a sum of eight billion rupees will be completed in 2017. Head of Project Management Unit of Irrigation Department Syed Mehmood-ul-Hassan and Duan Jianxia of Sino Hydro China signed the document. Talking to media persons after the signing ceremony, the Chief Minister said that the agreement between Punjab government and the Chinese company for rehabilitation and upgradation of Sulemanki Barrage and Pakpattan Canal is a milestone.
He said the Chinese company would complete the project within the stipulated period. He said the completion of the project would ensure supply of water to 25 lakh acres of land which would benefit lakhs of families. He said the project would be completed in a transparent manner while a high standard of work would also be ensured. He said that farming community of Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari and Bahawalnagar will directly benefit from rehabilitation of Sulemanki Barrage and Pakpattan Canal.
He said the agreement reflects the growing economic co-operation between Pakistan and China and strengthening of their bilateral relations. The Chief Minister said that Sulemanki Barrage was constructed in 1926 and rehabilitation and upgradation of this important barrage is a need of the hour. He said that Punjab government would ensure timely completion of irrigation projects in future as well for the benefit of the farmers.
The Chief Minister congratulated farming community, Chinese company and Irrigation Department over the signing of the agreement. He directed Irrigation Department authorities to perform their responsibilities to ensure timely completion of the project. Chief Secretary, Secretary Irrigation, Secretary Planning & Development, Secretary Information and officials of the Chinese company were also present on the occasion.