Sulemanki Headworks

Sulemanki Headworks is a headworks on the River Sutlej in Sulemanki Village, in Minchanabad Tehsil in Bahawalnagar District of the Punjab province of Pakistan, used for irrigation and flood control.

This headworks is located about 2 kilometres (1 mile) from the Indian border on the Sutlej River. From here originate three major canals which supply irrigation water to a large area in Southern Punjab and the Bahawalnagar district. The Upper Pakpattan Canal arises from its right bank and two canals arise from the left. The canals on the left bank are Fordwah and Eastern Sadiqia Canal. The latter canal runs along the Pakistan-India border. After 74 km (46 mi) at Jalwala headworks, Eastern Sadiqia Canal trifurcates into Sirajwah distributary, Malik Branch Canal and Hakara Branch Canal. Hakara branch runs in a southwesterly direction for another 121 km (75 mi) and is at few places it is a few meters from the Indian border. According to Pakistan army it provides a major defensive landmark against any possible Indian intrusion. Therefore, it is of a significant strategic importance.

About 16 km (10 mi) upriver from the Sulemanki Headworks the Baloki-Sulemanki Link Canal has its outfall connecting the Ravi River to the Sutlej River and thus offsetting the loss of water to India as agreed upon in Indus Basin Water Treaty of 1960. According to that treaty, three Eastern rivers, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas are allocated for the exclusive use of India before they enter Pakistan.