Pakistan is at a pivotal crossroads, facing the dual challenges of food insecurity and climate change. Agriculture, which has long been the backbone of the economy, is on the decline. Of the 79.6 million hectares of cultivable land, only 22 million are currently in use, leaving vast tracts unused.

In the midst of these challenges, the Cholistan Canal stands out as a potential solution, offering a way to reclaim arid land and help meet the growing demand for food. However, instead of coming together to harness this opportunity, we find ourselves divided by misinformation and vested interests.

The construction of the Cholistan Canal has been falsely portrayed as a threat to inter-provincial harmony, particularly between Punjab and Sindh. These narratives, however, are far from the truth. They serve not the people but those who seek to destabilize Pakistan, exploiting regional tensions for political gain. To counter this, we must demystify the project and understand its transformative potential. Pakistan’s agricultural imports have ballooned to $10 billion annually, even as we possess the capacity to meet domestic demands. For instance, the country faces a 4-million-metric-ton wheat shortfall despite being the world’s eighth-largest wheat producer. The Cholistan Canal, part of the broader Green Pakistan Initiative, is pivotal in closing this gap.........

© Eurasia Review