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Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Speakers decry anti-people decisions for Sindh
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 Save the Indus River Movement, which comprises 10 political and nationalist parties, has asked the public to become prepared for a 'big struggle' against the six canals project. The movement's leaders, which organised a rally from Benazirabad to Hyderabad on Saturday, while speaking at the rally's conclusion at Hyder Chowk in Hyderabad said the people should not expect support for their contention against the canals from the parliament, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and even the court. "The enemies of Sindh and the establishment are worried watching daily protests across the province," said Syed Zain Shah, the movement's convener and leader of Sindh United Party (SUP). Blaming the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for coining the project and the Green Pakistan Initiative, he said both SIFC and the initiative are against "the fundamental concept of the federation in Pakistan." The center will have to tell if Sindh and its coastal areas are part of Pakistan or not. Shah asserted that the country is already dealing with severe water shortage which leaves no room for new canals on the river. He cautioned the government that the situation in Balochistan is far from satisfactory while anti-people decisions are being imposed on Sindh. "Even if the parliament and the CCI now sanction the canals' project, the people of Sindh will remain up in arms and won't allow you to build the canals," he warned the federal government. General Secretary of Grand Democratic Alliance Dr Safdar Abbassi said the war against canals will not diffuse because of Pakistan Peoples Party's fake stance. "Whatever political consequences may emerge, we won't let anyone occupy Sindh's resources and water." Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh blamed President Asif Ali Zardari for bartering Sindh's resources under the garb of his slogan 'Pakistan khappay'. He alleged that Zardari's and his cabal of politicians have themselves plundered Sindh for the last 17 years while ruling the province. "The people of Karachi should realise that they get water from the Indus. If the river's water is stopped, people of Karachi and Hyderabad and their children will face thirst." He claimed that former President Dr Arif Alvi had rejected the same canals' project when it was submitted to his office but President Zardari signed the same plan. "Now who is a traitor?" Sheikh asked. Separately, Jamaat-e-Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl also organised protest rallies at the Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri barrages in Kashmore, Sukkur and Jamshoro districts on Sunday. The party's provincial leadership led the rallies, starting from Guddu and culminating in the evening at Kotri. Addressing the rally, provincial General Secretary Allama Rashid Mehmood Soomro said weaker provinces meant weaker federation. He claimed that Sindh is already getting 45% less water against its 1991 Water Accord entitled share. Commenting on President Zardari's slogan Pakistan khappay, he contended that 99% of Sindhi nationalist leaders, Pir Pagara of GDA and even JUI-F are patriotic Pakistanis. "We stand with this country and its constitution." He also referred to the turmoil in KPK and Balochistan and said unrest is starting to engulf Sindh as well against the canals. Soomro said as per Shariah, the constitution and the global laws, the lower riparian have the first right on the rivers in view of which no one can deny the right of Sindh on the Indus. He advised the government not to push the people of Sindh towards rebellion.
Express Tribune
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Chaos erupts at 'Save Indus River' rally
Tensions flared at the "Save Indus River" rally on Sunday, as a scuffle broke out among political workers, leading to disruptions, harassment of journalists, and the theft of a mobile phone belonging to a reporter from Express News. According to eyewitnesses, disorder began when activists affiliated with the Sindh United Party (SUP), along with supporters from other political groups, pushed toward the front rows of the gathering as SUP leaders took the stage. The situation deteriorated when some people forcibly entered the women's section of the rally, causing distress to female participants. Media personnel covering the event faced difficulties amid the chaos. Several verbal altercations occurred between members of the crowd and camera crews during the speech of SUP leader Syed Zain Shah. The situation worsened after his address, escalating into a near-violent confrontation. A group present at the rally reportedly misbehaved with local journalist Zakir Laghari and attempted to physically assault him. Senior journalists and members of the Hyderabad Union of Journalists, including President Hamid Mian Sheikh and Ashok Sharma, intervened to defuse the situation.
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sindh rises up against Indus canal project
HYDERABAD: A massive protest march led by the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT) kicked off from Sehwan in Jamshoro district to Dadu on Sunday, opposing the federal government's plan to construct six new canals on the Indus River. The march, led by nationalist and opposition leaders, saw participation from thousands of demonstrators rallying against what they called an attempt to rob Sindh of its water rights. Those who led the protest included GDA's Dr Safdar Abbasi, QAT's Ayaz Latif Palijo, Sindh United Party's (SUP) Syed Zain Shah, and Jeay Sindh Tehreek's Riaz Ali Chandio. Addressing the participants in several towns along the route, the leaders denounced the Green Pakistan Initiative, alleging that it was designed to benefit a handful of elites at the expense of millions of Sindh's farmers and labourers. "If we could successfully resist the construction of Kalabagh Dam and the imposition of a dual local government system in Sindh, we will also ensure that this controversial canal project is rolled back," vowed the leaders. Palijo also criticised the PPP for allegedly abandoning the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which was meant to strengthen provincial autonomy. "Turning Sindh into a desert is an act of hostility towards Pakistan's 250 million people," he declared. SUP leader Syed Zain Shah underlined the importance of water for Sindh's survival. "Farmers are already struggling to sustain themselves. If their last means of livelihood-agriculture-is taken away, they will starve," he warned. Jeay Sindh Tehreek's Riaz Ali Chandio said water is a matter of life and death. If the government does not retreat, the people's response will be equally strong. Former chief minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi blamed PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for allegedly trading Sindh's resources to maintain political dominance.
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JI conference dismisses six new canals' plan
HYDERABAD: A water conference, hosted by Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh and presided over by provincial Ameer Kashif Saeed Shaikh, was held at a local hotel in Hyderabad today. The conference was attended by leaders of political, religious, and nationalist parties. The participants rejected the federal government's plan to construct six new canals on the Indus River, calling it illegal, a violation of the IRSA Act, and a conspiracy to turn Sindh barren. They criticised the dual standards of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and warned that if the party failed to pass resolutions against such anti-Sindh projects in the Sindh Assembly, National Assembly, and Senate, all political parties would jointly besiege the Chief Minister's House. In his presidential address, Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh Ameer Kashif Saeed Shaikh alleged that, as in the past, the PPP is facilitating the federal government and institutions in building these canals. Sindh United Party leader Syed Zain Shah dismissed the federal government's data on water as fake and deceitful. He highlighted that the people in Hyderabad and Karachi were struggling even for drinking water. Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi said water is a basic necessity of life, and the Indus River is Sindh's lifeline. He said: "If new canals are constructed, Sindh will turn into a collective graveyard." He criticized Punjab's bureaucracy for always devising plans to loot Sindh's water. He urged political parties and farmers to continue the struggle against the plan of six canals. Pakistan Muslim League-Functional Sindh Secretary General Sardar Abdul Rahim stated that Pir Pagara was prepared to go to any extent to protect Sindh's water. Sindh Abadgar Board leader Seyed Nadeem Shah Jamot accused Punjab of planning to cultivate its barren lands at the cost of turning seven million acres of Sindh's land barren. PTI leader Khawand Bux Jahejo acknowledged that water is a serious issue for Sindh and assured full support to JI's efforts against the plan to build six new canals on Indus River.
