Sulemanki Headworks

Sulemanki Headworks is located on the River Sutlej, Minchinabad Tehsil, Bahawalnagar District, Punjab, Pakistan. It diverts water into canals to water large tracts of southern Punjab and the Bahawalnagar district, for irrigation and flood control.

Nestled on the Sutlej River, just a mile from the India-Pakistan border in southern Punjab, Sulemanki Headworks is a remarkable intersection of engineering, agriculture, history, and natural beauty. For travellers interested in heritage, nature, borderland folklore, and irrigation marvels, Sulemanki is a must-visit. 

History

Built as part of the Sutlej Valley Project. Construction was between 1922–1927 under an agreement between the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Amir Sadiq Mohammad Khan V, and the British colonial government. Officially opened in 1926.

Major Canals

Upper Pakpattan Canal from the right bank, Fordwah Canal, and Eastern Sadiqia Canal from the left bank. Eastern Sadiqia runs close to the Pakistan-India border, and is further split into distributaries such as the Sirajwah, Malik Branch, and Hakara Branch.

Wildlife Park

Sulemanki Wildlife Park is nearby. It includes animal enclosures, bird cages, peafowl/pheasant, footpaths, benches, lawns, etc. It was established in the 1990s and later supplemented by a rehabilitation project.

Recent Developments & Projects

There is a proposed Cholistan Canal Project, which would branch from the Sutlej at Sulemanki Headworks, extending irrigation to large areas in Bahawalnagar and Bahawalpur. Estimated area ~400,000 acres.

Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved the water supply/allocation for the Cholistan project via Sulemanki. These are ongoing political / inter-provincial issues.