Karachi: Several cities across Sindh witnessed torch-bearing protest rallies against the proposed six canals project on the Indus River.
According to a post on social media platform Facebook, a protest rally was held in Mirokhan, led by Sindh PPP President Nisar Khuhro. The rally began at Bhutto Petrol Pump and culminated at Arzi Bhutto Chowk.
Hundreds of PPP workers participated in the rally, chanting slogans against the canal project. Addressing the gathering, Nisar Khuhro condemned the project, calling it a "death sentence" for Sindh and a conspiracy against its existence. He emphasized that water is life and vowed that the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) would not allow anyone to play with the lives of Sindh’s people.
Khuhro stated that the six canals project is unconstitutional and illegal, urging the federal government to withdraw its plans. He warned that if the PML-N-led federal government insisted on proceeding with the canals, the people of Sindh would stand united in opposition.
Highlighting the water crisis, he pointed out that due to a lack of water supply below Kotri Barrage, over 4 million acres of land in Sindh have turned barren. He lamented that Sindh’s rivers are facing severe water shortages, creating a situation akin to Karbala.
Khuhro also criticized the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for issuing certificates claiming surplus water availability during the caretaker government, calling it unconstitutional and an act of hostility towards Sindh. He demanded a complete restructuring of IRSA, including the appointment of a Sindh representative as its federal member.
The PPP leader revealed that Sindh has challenged IRSA’s unilateral decisions regarding water availability in the Council of Common Interests (CCI). He urged the CCI to convene a meeting, hear Sindh’s constitutional objections, and immediately scrap the controversial canal project.
Khuhro reiterated that the PPP would not allow the construction of any canals on the Indus River or any encroachment on Sindh’s water rights. He recalled the party’s past movements against the Thal Canal and the Kalabagh Dam, stating that a similar struggle would be launched against the six canals project.
He emphasized the need for collective efforts and a unified stance on water issues, similar to the movement that led to the rejection of the Kalabagh Dam project.
Concluding his speech at the rally, Khuhro warned opponents to refrain from pushing anti-Sindh projects, declaring that the PPP is well-versed in both road protests and political movements.
