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PPP ramps up protest against canals

PPP ramps up protest against canals

Express Tribune03-04-2025

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh chapter on Wednesday escalated its protest against the controversial six-canal project, announcing the second phase of its movement.
In a video statement, PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro declared that torch rallies would be held across all tehsil headquarters in Sindh from Wednesday evening.
He asserted that resolving Sindh's water crisis required sustained pressure through continuous protests, as water scarcity threatened the province's future and survival. "The six-canal project is detrimental to Sindh, and its people will never accept it," Khuhro asserted, adding that the PPP would persist in its protests until the plan is scrapped.
Similarly, the PPP staged a torch rally in Lyari on Wednesday to protest against the controversial six-canal project on the Indus River. Former PPP Karachi President Najmi Alam, MPA Yusuf Baloch and PPP South District President Javed Nagori addressed the rally, reiterating the party's firm opposition.
The speakers rejected accusations that PPP was silent on the issue, stressing that the party had formally demanded a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss Sindh's water rights.
On the other hand, the Darya Bachao Tehreek (Save Indus Movement) also announced a series of protests against the alleged unlawful diversion of Sindh's water and the construction of six new canals.
The movement has planned multiple demonstrations, beginning with a major rally in Gambat on April 3, followed by an awareness march from Sakrand to Hyderabad on April 5, culminating at Hyderabad's Hyder Chowk.
Key political figures, including Sindh United Party President Syed Zain Shah, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Haleem Adil Sheikh, Ayaz Latif Palijo and Kashif Saeed Sheikh are expected to address the gatherings.
A large protest will be staged outside Karachi Press Club on April 6, while a signature campaign will be launched in various cities of Nawabshah district on April 7 to mobilise public opposition.
Protests against the construction of canals and corporate farming using waters from the IndusRriver continued on Eid day in Badin like other cities of Sindh. The atmosphere in the city resonated with slogans against the canals.

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