Protests against new canals intensify
A severe scarcity of water at Hussainabad exposes the River Indus dry bed, revealing a haunting landscape. The mighty river has been reduced to a shadow of its former glory due to shortage in release of water downstream from upper riparian barrges. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM), amid protests interminably continue across Sindh against the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River, blocked the Indus and National highways at three different locations on Friday.
The JSM Chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, who led a protest rally on the National Highway in Moro, Naushehro Feroze district, said they carefully chose April 4 for their protest to neutralise the propaganda being spread by Pakistan Peoples Party.
"Unless the government issues the notification of cancelling all these controversial projects, the protests would continue," he warned.
Chandio reiterated that the Green Pakistan Initiative, new canals and the corporate farming are all meant to rob Sindh of its water and land.
"It is an economic murder of the entire population of Sindh which is dependent on agriculture." He claimed, the PPP is organising cosmetic protests in the province although it has given its consent for the construction of new canals. Dr Niaz Kalani of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) deplored that the people who participate in peaceful protests are being subjected to enforced disappearance besides being nominated in flimsy FIRs. However, he asserted, the protests are becoming stronger with each passing day despite all the pressure tactics being employed by the government.
Meanwhile, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi announced that his party would start sit-in protests on the highways in the province from April 10. He said every day a different location of the highways will be selected for the sit-in. "The ongoing protests against the canals and the corporate farming have turned into a movement which won't stop."
In a novel form of protest, a bride made it mandatory for the groom to affix banners rejecting canals at their wedding function in a village in Shahpur Jahania area of Noushehro Feroze district on Friday. The couple, whose marriage was later solemnized in the afternoon, belong to Unar community. Not only banners were put on walls of the wedding hall, but the place reverberated with songs and slogans of nationalists and disapproval for the canals. Rallies and demonstrations were also organised in dozens of other places in many districts of the province.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Leaders rally for green Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended their heartfelt greetings to the nation on the eve of Eid ul Fitr. PHOTO: EXPRESS On the World Environment Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged every citizen, organization, and public institution to unite for a cleaner, greener Pakistan. In their separate messages, they said the day reminded us of our shared responsibility to protect the planet and secure a sustainable future for the generations to come. "Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Each year, we face devastating floods, droughts, and heatwaves that displace millions of people. Yet, our contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 1%. This imbalance highlights the urgent need for global climate justice and strong international support," President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying. Despite limited resources, the president said, Pakistan was taking steps to tackle environmental challenges. "We are working to mobilize climate finance by combining national efforts with private investment and international support. Key strategic instruments include: The $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility from the IMF, which supports reforms such as a carbon levy, electric vehicle promotion, and improved energy efficiency: the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework (2026-2035), focused on flood resilience, clean energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and better air quality. The 2024 Carbon Market Policy Guidelines aim to attract green private investment. All these efforts align with Pakistan's broader economic transformation plan — Uraan Pakistan," he added. The president observed that the governments alone could not solve this crisis, stressing that each of them had a role to play. Prime Minister Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling the plastic pollution an environmental challenge threatening ecosystems, economy, and future generations, reaffirmed his government's commitment to eco-friendly policies, responsible consumption, and stricter plastic regulations. "Real change begins with each of us — in our homes, our communities, and our choices," the prime minister said. He said that on the Day, Pakistan joined the international community in reaffirming its commitment to safeguard our planet and pursue sustainable development. The prime minister said that this year's theme — "Putting an End to Plastic Pollution" — was both timely and urgent. "Plastic pollution is an environmental challenge that threatens our ecosystems, our economy, and future generations. From choking our rivers and seas to harming marine life and contaminating our food chain, plastic waste has reached alarming levels across the globe — and Pakistan is no exception. This calls for a bold and collective action," he remarked. He said that the Day should serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility — to ourselves and to the generations yet to come.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Section 144 imposed near Punjab airports
Section 144 imposed in Peshawar for one month. PHOTO: EXPRESS In a move to bolster aviation safety and security, the Punjab Home Department has imposed Section 144 within a 15-kilometre radius of all airports and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airbases across the province. The restrictions will be in effect from June 5 to June 20. Under the order, a complete ban has been placed on pigeon flying, fireworks, the use of drones or laser lights and the disposal of animal waste within the designated perimeter. The decision has been taken in the interest of protecting human lives and property and to ensure the smooth operation of flight services. The Home Secretary of Punjab issued the restrictions under Section 144(6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, citing that such activities pose serious threats to flight safety and operations. Open disposal of sacrificial remains, in particular, attracts birds, which can pose severe risks to aircraft and passenger safety. The directives apply uniformly across all civil airports and PAF airbases in Punjab. All deputy commissioners have been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the ban and to maintain enhanced cleanliness in areas surrounding airports and airbases. A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department emphasised that the move is a preventive measure aimed at mitigating potential hazards during the Eidul Azha period, a time when instances of open waste disposal and celebratory activities traditionally increase.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Express Tribune
Substandard hospital mats seized in Swat
The announcement was made by Professor Syed Mohammad Sultan of the Khyber Teaching Hospital's Psychiatry Department. PHOTO: EXPRESS Anti-Corruption authorities in Swat have taken swift action against a contractor for supplying substandard foam mats to Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif. A total of 180 non-compliant mats were confiscated on-site for failing to meet approved PC-1 specifications. The crackdown followed a citizen complaint filed by Arbab Naveed with the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Establishment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The contractor was accused of violating procurement rules by delivering poor-quality mats from unauthorized manufacturers. An investigation led by Assistant Director Anti-Corruption Malakand Division, Malik Khan Afsar Khan, confirmed the allegations. The contractor was found guilty of deliberate non-compliance. Authorities gave the contractor one week to replace the substandard items with 320 mats that meet official standards. The directive was fulfilled within the deadline, and the case has now been referred to the Directorate for further legal proceedings.
