Jointly developed at the behest of the Nawab of Bahawalpur, Amir Sadiq Mohammed Khan V and the British Government, it was opened on 12 April 1926.

More specifically, the construction of the Pakpattan Canal took place in British Punjab in 1925 to on the right bank of the Sulemanki Headworks.

From here originate three major canals which supply irrigation water to a large area in Southern Punjab and the Bahawalnagar district.

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 that treaty, three Eastern rivers, Ravi, Sutlej and Beas are allocated for the exclusive use of India before they enter Pakistan.