‘Let the Indus River Flow’. Protest Rallies Mark the International Day of Action for Rivers

Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek organizes protest rallies at Indus River Bridges Jamshoro-Hyderabad, Dadu-Moro, Amri-Qazi Ahmed, Khairpur-Larkana and Thatta-Sujawal against disputed canals

Jamshoro/Hyderabad

On the occasion of the International Day of Action for Rivers, Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek organized a protest rally from Karan Shoro village in Qasimabad to Al-Manzar, Jamshoro, where participants paid tribute to the Indus River.

The demonstration, attended by a large number of women and children, strongly condemned the construction of six new canals, amendments to the IRSA Act, and corporate farming projects. The protesters showered flowers into the river and pledged to continue their struggle for Sindh’s water rights.

The rally was led by Awami Tehreek’s Central President Advocate Vasand Thari, Central Leaders Advocate Izhar Dawoodpo, Advocate Raheel Bhutto, Sindhyani Tehreek’s Central President Umarah Samoon, Awami Tehreek Hyderabad President Sarmad Rajpar, Noor Nabi Palijo, Husna Rahujo, Advocate Kainat Dahri, Jam Tamachi, and others.

Addressing the gathering, the leaders stated that former President Ayub Khan committed a historical betrayal by selling three rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India under an agreement with the Nehru government, leading to an environmental and economic disaster for the Sindh province. They added that for over 150 years, Punjab’s ruling elite has been exploiting Sindh’s water by constructing canals and dams, severely damaging the Indus Delta. Citing a World Bank report, they claimed that Pakistan suffers an annual economic loss of $200 billion due to the depletion of water resources.

The speakers highlighted the devastating impact of this water mismanagement, including the destruction of mangrove forests, rising sea intrusion, and the desertification of Sindh’s agricultural lands. Despite the 1991 Water Accord, they claimed that Sindh is facing more than a 50% water shortage, with authorities failing to ensure the province receives its due share.

Turning their criticism towards the Sindh government, the leaders accused the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of siding with the Punjab government and the federal administration at the cost of Sindh’s interests. They alleged that the six new canals are being constructed with PPP’s tacit approval and dismissed the recent Sindh Assembly resolution on the issue as a mere eyewash, lacking the genuine demands of the people. They likened this to the digital census controversy, where PPP initially opposed the process but later endorsed it through the Council of Common Interests (CCI), reducing Sindhis to a minority in their own province.

The protestors demanded the immediate cancellation of all six new canals, corporate farming initiatives, the Green Pakistan project, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the Board of Investment Amendment Act 2023. They rejected any government resolution that does not include these demands, calling it an attempt to undermine Sindh’s struggle for its water rights.

They also criticized the role of IRSA in approving the Cholistan Canal based on manipulated data, calling for legal action against those responsible. Furthermore, they accused President Asif Ali Zardari of amending the IRSA Act to facilitate corporate control over Sindh’s water resources and shift authority over the Indus River to security institutions. The speakers condemned PPP for what they described as a deceptive strategy to mislead the public while serving the interests of powerful stakeholders.

Calling for international intervention, the leaders demanded the formation of an independent commission comprising global water and environmental experts and intellectuals to investigate violations of Sindh’s water rights. They insisted that Sindh must receive its due share of water under the 1945 Sindh-Punjab Water Agreement.

Meanwhile, Awami Tehreek organized a motorcycle rally from Larkana, culminating in a demonstration at the Larkana-Khairpur Bridge. Protesters symbolically offered flowers to the Indus River, voicing strong opposition to the construction of six new canals, corporate farming projects, and amendments to the IRSA Act.

The demonstration was led by Awami Tehreek’s Central General Secretary Advocate Sajid Hussain Mehisar, Sindhi Hari Tehreek’s Central President Comrade Ghulam Mustafa Chandio, Awami Tehreek leaders Qadir Bhutto, Ali Hassan Wako, Mehmood Ruk Rahujo, and senior members of the Sindhi Students Tehreek. A large contingent of lawyers, writers, poets, artists, students, and laborers also participated, including Larkana Bar Association President Advocate Athar Abbas Solangi and Vice President Advocate Nooruddin Mehisar, along with hundreds of lawyers who joined the protest.

Speaking at the rally, the leaders emphasized that the struggle for river conservation is a global movement, and the people of Sindh are actively fighting to protect the Indus River. They condemned the federal government’s decision to construct six new canals, stating that these projects are part of a larger plan that threatens the very existence of Sindh’s people.

They also criticized the Bilawal-Shahbaz coalition government, alleging that it has imposed a “One Unit” policy under the newly established SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council), which they claim is undermining democracy. The leaders accused the council of selling Sindh’s land and water resources to foreign investors and called for the immediate allocation of Sindh’s rightful share of water under the 1945 Water Agreement.

In Sukkar, Awami tehreek organized protest and paid tribute to River Indus by showering flowers. A huge number of protesters including women and children, from different areas of district Sukkur gathered at lab e mehran. The protesters demanded immediate implementation of Sindh Punjab water resolution 1945. Protesters further demanded for river Indus to be declared as living creature like that of Megh river of Canada and let it flow naturally.

The speakers including president of Sindhyani Tehreek Sukkur Shamshad Bapar, and other leaders Paras Bhatti, Seema Kalor, advocate Hina Baloch, Soohn Phulphoto, Fiza Phulphoto, and others.

Leaders strongly demanded the immediate repeal of all exploitative laws and institutions that threaten national resources, including Corporate Farming, Green Pakistan, SIFC, and the Board of Investment Amendment Act 2023. They also called for action under Article 6 of the Constitution against IRSA members who issued the Cholistan Canal certificate based on manipulated data.

In Thatta also, the Awami Tehreek of Thatta and Sujawal districts organized a protest at the Doolahe Darya Khan Bridge (Thatta-Sujawal Bridge). Workers and leaders of the Awami Tehreek and the Sindhiyani Tehreek, including Awami Tehreek’s Central Senior Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiar, Abdul Qadir Ranto, Ali Muhammad Kalmati, Majid Sagar Parihar, Abdul Razzaq Chandio, Aziz Memon, Sindhyani Tehreek’s Central Leader Salma Lashari, Sajida Parhiar, Aamna Zaur, Shazia Bhayo, Darya Khan Zaur, Ghanwar Khan Zaur, Mitha Khan Lashari, Shah Muhammad Chang, Bilawal Lashari, Aman Hussain Azad, Amanullah Brohi, Ghulam Ali Zaur, Habib Khoso, and others, gathered at the river to offer flowers and stage a sit-in.

They further said: “Keenjhar Lake, Haleji Lake, and all other water resources are being occupied. Through corporate farming projects, millions of acres of Sindh’s land are being seized and handed over to foreign capitalists. The Sindhi nation will continue its struggle for survival and existence, and its peaceful democratic resistance will persist with vigor until the SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council) and corporate farming projects are abolished.”

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Published under International Cooperation with "Sindh Courier"