LARKANA: A large number of singers, writers, intellectuals, and art directors staged a protest march on Sunday, expressing their strong opposition to the federal government's plan to construct six "strategic" canals on the Indus River.
Led by prominent cultural figures, including renowned singer Ghulam Shabbir Samo, playwright Suhni Naz, and others, the procession began at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Larkana, and proceeded through the city's main roads before reaching the Larkana Press Club.
The protesters performed to the melancholic tune of "Sindhri tay sirr ker na deendo" on the Yaktaro, symbolizing their rejection of the canal projects. Addressing the media, they voiced concerns over Sindh's diminishing share of Indus water despite being the highest revenue-generating province. They alleged that the province's natural resources were being exploited, and now its water lifeline was under threat.
The demonstrators emphasized that the issue was not limited to political parties, nationalists, or lawyers but affected every segment of Sindhi society. They highlighted Sindh’s long-standing water crisis, arguing that further diversion of Indus water through new canals would endanger the province’s agricultural economy and survival.
Criticism was also directed at Punjab, with protestors accusing it of pushing for these projects to irrigate its deserts at the cost of Sindh’s fertile lands. They warned that such a move would worsen existing tensions and urged the government to immediately halt the plan.
Meanwhile, in Malir, Awami Tehreek activists held a separate rally against the proposed canals and corporate farming. The demonstrators demanded the closure of Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjand link canals, blaming the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for denying Sindh its rightful water share while approving the Cholistan Canal project.
Party leaders, including central senior vice president Noor Ahmed Katiar and Malir district president Pirha Soomro, condemned the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for allegedly backing the controversial canal project. They criticized PPP leadership for its support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), calling it a modern version of the "One Unit" policy that disregards Sindh’s autonomy.
Protesters also voiced concerns over large-scale land acquisitions in Malir, calling out developers like Malik Riaz and DHA for taking over Karachi’s land. Additionally, they opposed the recent layoffs of 1,372 workers at the Pakistan Steel Mills, terming it an economic injustice against the working class.
