For the past 12 days, thousands of farmers and residents of Lakki Marwat have been protesting against the water shortage in the Marwat Canal. The demonstrators claim that the canal, which receives water from Baran Dam, is facing a severe crisis due to reduced rainfall caused by climate change.
Baran Dam has a storage capacity of 100,000 cusecs, but a lack of timely rainfall has led to a significant water shortage. The Marwat Betani Qaumi Tehreek has demanded that water be supplied to the Marwat Canal from the Kurram Garhi Headworks to save their crops.
According to water distribution regulations, Bannu is allocated 1,550 cusecs from the Kurram Garhi Headworks, with any surplus directed to the Marwat Canal. However, the Kurram River currently has only around 400 cusecs, making it impossible to divert water to the canal.
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Efforts to negotiate with the district administration have so far failed. A delegation led by Aman Jirga chief Hidayatullah Khan Isakhel, Naseer Khan Turab, and social activist Malik Waqar Khan has held discussions with the Marwat Betani Qaumi Tehreek leaders and continues to seek a resolution with the authorities. However, protests remain ongoing.
Inamullah Khan Khwaidadkhel, a leader of the Marwat Betani Qaumi Tehreek, stated that farmers insist on restoring water flow to the canal before resuming vehicle supplies.
Meanwhile, Lakki Marwat police spokesperson Shahid Hameed assured that no action is being taken against the protesters, emphasizing that negotiations are the responsibility of the district administration. He dismissed reports of additional police deployment from Bannu as baseless rumors, stating that routine patrols are continuing as usual.
