• The people of Sindh should not remain indifferent to their demography, culture, language, land and natural resources.
• The protection of Sindh’s survival, peace, culture, language, resources and demography is a collective responsibility of every Sindhi.

By Z.A. Buriro

For the Social Harmony and Linguistic Balance in Sindh, it has now become equally important and imperative to take impactful and effective measures to protect the culture, language, resources and demography of the province, particularly in its major cities and especially in Karachi.

Under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, every citizen has the right to promote and preserve his historical and cultural identity. Similarly, the people of Sindh should strengthen their historical, cultural and economic relationship with Karachi. They must come to Karachi, settle there, participate in employment and business, and contribute to strengthening their language and cultural identity, which ultimately contributes to social harmony in its capital city in particular and Sindh in general.

Important Roadmap

1) Regulation of Land Use, Housing Schemes and Urban Expansion.

The Government should introduce new laws to regulate uncontrolled migration from other regions of the country. Under such legislation, the purchase and sale of land in Sindh by any citizen having an identity or permanent legal affiliation with another region should be restricted to a maximum of 120 square yards, and that too solely for residential purposes. An extremely strict and comprehensive legal procedure should be prescribed for such purchases, with the condition that the concerned person may purchase such land in Sindh only after relinquishing his or her citizenship/legal permanent-residence status of the region of origin.

The Government should enact modern and effective legislation for the protection of Sindh’s land, resources and demography. Moreover, unregulated housing schemes, the conversion of agricultural land and illegal occupation must be effectively halted and regulated, so that the land of Sindh cannot be converted in an unregulated manner into commercial or residential projects.

For people coming to Sindh from other regions and countries for employment or education, an effective system such as a Work Permit or Study Permit, in accordance with the law, may also be implemented.

2) Establishment of a Provincial Population, Migration and Urban Settlement Database Authority & Introduction of a Digital Domicile & PRC MIS System.

Furthermore, the system of Domicile and Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) in Sindh should be fully integrated with a centralized, digital and transparent Management Information System (MIS), supervised by a high-level Provincial Population, Migration and Urban Settlement Database Authority.

Strict verification of permanent residence, legal documentation, actual residence and other legal criteria should be made mandatory for the issuance of Domicile and PRC, so that fake Domiciles and PRCs can be effectively eliminated.

3) Introduction of Work / Study Permits.

For people coming to Sindh from other regions and countries for employment or education, an effective system such as a Work Permit or Study Permit, in accordance with the law, may also be implemented.

4) Establishment of Sindh Provincial Highways Authority.

The Government should establish its own Provincial Highways Authority (PHA), which should be responsible for the construction and maintenance of modern highways, motorways, bridges, bypasses and other major road-infrastructure projects within the province.

Similarly, need-cum-basis toll plazas should be established on provincial highways, and a portion of the revenue generated through tolls should be spent on the development of Sindh and its road infrastructure.

5) Integrated Entry-Point, Traffic and Transport Monitoring.

A modern, integrated digital surveillance and traffic-monitoring system should be established at all entry and exit points of Sindh so that the lawful movement of people, goods and vehicles can be better managed and security can be ensured.

6) Protection and Promotion of the Sindhi Language:

*Declaring Sindhi Compulsory from Primary to College Level.

The Sindhi language should be introduced as a compulsory subject from the primary level up to the college level in all public and private educational institutions across Sindh, so that future generations can remain strongly connected with the Sindhi language, literature, culture and history.

*Sindhi Language Competency in Relevant Public-Sector Recruitment.

For government employment in Sindh, all candidates applying through the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) and other testing agencies, such as SIBA, etc., should be required, before submitting their applications, to provide an affidavit confirming their ability to understand, read, write and speak the Sindhi language.

Where necessary, an appropriate test or criterion should also be established to assess knowledge of the Sindhi language during the recruitment process for relevant government posts through a lawful and merit-based mechanism.

7) Establishment of a Sindh Arts & Cultural Council.

The Government of Sindh should establish a large, prestigious and modern “Sindh Arts & Cultural Council” in Karachi, with regional offices in the divisional headquarters of Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Mirpurkhas.

This institution should serve as a comprehensive platform for the promotion of the Sindhi language, literature, music, arts, culture, history, folk heritage and the civilizational identity of Sindh.

It should be made mandatory for all public and private universities, educational institutions, important government buildings, highways, main roads and public places to display the names of institutions and locations prominently in the Sindhi language alongside Urdu and English wherever those names are already displayed in all major cities, including the capital, Karachi.

8) Bilingual/Trilingual Public Signage Including Sindhi Language at All Boards, Roads and Buildings.

It should be made mandatory for all public and private universities, educational institutions, important government buildings, highways, main roads and public places to display the names of institutions and locations prominently in the Sindhi language alongside Urdu and English wherever those names are already displayed in all major cities, including the capital, Karachi.

This would further promote the official, educational and social use of the Sindhi language.

9) Strengthening Balanced Social, Cultural and Political Representation in Karachi.

All progressive parties, particularly those that claim to represent the rights of the public, should establish their central headquarters in Karachi so that a balanced environment of political presence, public outreach and social harmony can be maintained in the capital city of Sindh.

Last but Not the Least

The people of Sindh should not remain indifferent to their demography, culture, language, land and natural resources. Serious, lawful and democratic debate and policy are required regarding rapid urban expansion, unregulated housing schemes, land conversion and the rapid growth of population taking place in Karachi and other major cities of Sindh.

Large housing projects such as Bahria Town also provide an opportunity to consider what policy should be adopted in the future regarding the land, resources and demography of Sindh.

If concrete, constitutional, legal, democratic and peaceful measures are not taken now to protect the culture, language, land and demography of Sindh, many new challenges may emerge for future generations concerning the historical and cultural identity of Sindh.

This should not be a message of hatred against any nation or community; rather, it should be a call for serious thought, awareness and lawful struggle for the protection of the historical, cultural, linguistic and constitutional rights of Sindh.

The protection of Sindh’s survival, peace, culture, language, resources and demography is a collective responsibility of every Sindhi.

Read: Strengthening Sindh as a Sustainable Federal Unit

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The Writer is a Civil Servant, Interdisciplinary Student of Law, Linguistics and Sociology, based in Karachi* He can be reached at buriro.za@gmail.com

The post Sindh: Harmony, Language, and Growth first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By: Kalavanti Raja

The ongoing political confrontation in Pakistan has created another serious problem that deserves attention beyond the political debate itself: the use of containers, metal barricades and large quantities of sharp iron spikes to block roads and bridges, followed by the removal and dumping of these materials into rivers and canals. The photographs accompanying this article illustrate the scale of the problem. Whatever one’s political affiliation or position on demonstrations, the disposal of such hazardous material in waterways is neither a safe nor an environmentally responsible solution. A temporary measure intended to control traffic can become a long-term threat to human beings, animals and aquatic ecosystems if the materials are abandoned in rivers.

Governments have a responsibility to maintain public order and protect important infrastructure when large political gatherings are expected. At the same time, every security measure should be planned with consideration for public safety and the environment. Blocking a bridge with containers or installing barriers on a road may be temporary, but hundreds or thousands of sharp metal spikes placed across a roadway create an additional hazard when they are subsequently dismantled. If citizens remove these obstacles because they need access to roads and bridges, the material must not simply be thrown into nearby rivers or canals. Unfortunately, when political tensions are high and people are frustrated by prolonged road closures, there is a danger that barriers will be removed without any plan for their safe disposal.

The dumping of sharp metal objects into waterways is particularly disturbing because the material does not disappear when it goes beneath the surface. Rivers, canals and reservoirs are living ecosystems. They contain fish, aquatic plants and countless smaller organisms that form interconnected food chains. Large quantities of iron rods, spikes, nails and other metal structures can physically injure aquatic animals and can become entangled with vegetation and other debris. As the metal remains exposed to water, it can also corrode over time. More importantly, the physical danger may remain hidden from people who use these waterways long after the political dispute or road blockade has ended.

The threat is not limited to aquatic life. In many parts of Pakistan, rivers and canals are used by local communities for fishing, washing, recreation and other activities. People may enter shallow water without knowing that sharp metal objects have been dumped beneath the surface. Children, fishermen and swimmers could suffer serious cuts or puncture injuries if they come into contact with concealed spikes. During periods of increased water flow, loose metal objects could potentially move from one location to another, making the danger even more difficult to identify and control.

Domestic and farm animals are also vulnerable. Cows, buffaloes, goats and dogs frequently approach rivers and canals for drinking water or cooling themselves. A submerged metal spike can cause severe injuries to an animal’s feet or body. An animal cannot be expected to recognize that a familiar water source has suddenly become dangerous. In rural areas, where livestock represents an important part of household livelihoods, injuries to animals can also impose an economic burden on families.

This situation therefore requires responsibility from both the authorities and the public. Citizens who encounter road barriers should not throw them into rivers, canals or other natural areas. Removing a road hazard only to create a hidden hazard in a waterway merely transfers the danger from one location to another. Sharp metal barriers should instead be collected at designated locations and transported for safe storage, recycling or disposal.

The greater responsibility, however, lies with the authorities that install such barriers. When a government department decides to use containers, metal barricades or anti-vehicle devices as part of a security operation, it should also have a clear plan for their removal. The operation should not end when the political gathering is over or when a road is reopened. Officials should know where the barriers have been placed, who is responsible for collecting them and where the material will ultimately go. Environmental considerations should be incorporated into security planning from the beginning rather than treated as an afterthought.

Most importantly, authorities should immediately inspect bridges, riverbanks and waterways near locations where such barriers have been deployed. Any sharp metal material that has already been thrown into rivers or canals should be located and removed using appropriate equipment and trained personnel. The affected areas should then be inspected for remaining hazards. Where necessary, environmental authorities should assess whether the dumping has affected water quality, aquatic life or the safety of communities using the waterway.

Pakistan’s rivers and canals already face considerable pressure from pollution, waste disposal, untreated wastewater and other human activities. Adding political-security debris to this burden is entirely avoidable. Political demonstrations are temporary events, while environmental damage can persist long after the political dispute has moved on. A government may have security concerns, political parties may organize protests, and citizens may disagree strongly about the legitimacy or consequences of those protests, but none of these disagreements should justify turning public waterways into dumping grounds for hazardous materials.

There is also a lesson here about the relationship between state action and public behaviour. When authorities block roads with enormous quantities of material but do not provide a clear mechanism for its removal, citizens may take matters into their own hands. That can produce unintended consequences. The solution is not to blame ordinary citizens alone, nor is it to ignore the environmental consequences of government security measures. The appropriate response is for the authorities to take responsibility for the complete process—from installation to removal and environmentally safe disposal.

The photographs of the barriers should therefore serve as a warning. The issue is no longer simply whether roads and bridges should be opened or closed during a political mobilization. It is also about what happens to the physical material used to enforce those closures. If sharp metal barriers have entered rivers or canals, they should be treated as an environmental and public-safety emergency requiring prompt removal.

Political differences will come and go, governments will change, demonstrations will end and roads will eventually reopen. Pakistan’s rivers, however, belong to everyone. They are essential for communities, agriculture, animals and wildlife. No political confrontation should leave behind a legacy of hidden metal hazards in the country’s waterways. The government should therefore ensure that every hazardous barrier used during such operations is properly recovered and disposed of, while citizens should also refrain from throwing removed barriers into rivers and canals. Protecting the environment is not a political favour to one party or another; it is a responsibility owed to the public, to animals and to future generations.

Read: Poverty is not the Destiny

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Kalavanti Raja is a social and political activist from Gambat, Khairpur Mirs, with 30 years of work on women’s rights, minorities, and social justice. She has served in Sindhiyani Tahreek and participated in national and international forums across Asia, Europe, and America.. She can be reached at kalavanti.raja@gmail.com

The post Politics Must Not Endanger the Environment first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• The waters of the Indus have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the birth of cities and the toil of generations. They have carried the prayers, hopes and harvests of millions. They should carry peace as well.
• The Indus must remain a river of life—not a weapon of politics. Its waters should irrigate fields, generate power, sustain ecosystems and nourish generations yet unborn.

By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal

Today, 27 September, the world observes World Rivers Day—a day devoted to reminding humanity of something so familiar that we often forget its true worth: the river. Why was there a need to dedicate a day to rivers? Because rivers are not merely streams of flowing water. They are the arteries of civilization, the silent witnesses of history, the nourishment of fields, the source of energy, and, in the deepest sense, reflections of life itself.

The Holy Qur’an repeatedly draws our attention to water and to the rivers that flow beneath gardens and through the landscapes of creation. Water is presented not merely as a material necessity but as one of the signs of Allah’s mercy and creative power. The Qur’an asks mankind to contemplate the rain, the earth brought back to life, and the rivers that sustain creation. Indeed, the very story of human civilization is inseparable from rivers. Great societies arose beside them, cultivated their lands through them, and built their prosperity around their waters.

Pakistan, too, is a blessed land of rivers. The mighty Indus and its tributaries—the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and others—have shaped our geography, economy and civilization. They irrigate our fields, sustain our farmers, support our livestock, feed our cities, generate hydropower and preserve ecosystems upon which millions depend. For Pakistan, the Indus is not simply a river. It is a national lifeline.

That is why World Rivers Day acquires an especially profound meaning for us this year. A river does not recognize political boundaries. It does not carry a passport, stop at a border post or ask whether the land through which it flows belongs to one nation or another. Its waters follow the laws of nature established by the Creator. Human beings may draw boundaries upon maps, but they cannot redraw the natural geography of a river basin without consequences.

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 was born from precisely this understanding. After years of difficult negotiations facilitated by the World Bank, India and Pakistan agreed upon a framework for sharing the waters of the Indus system. The Treaty allocated the Eastern Rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—to India and the Western Rivers—Indus, Jhelum and Chenab—to Pakistan, while also establishing mechanisms for cooperation, information exchange and the settlement of differences and disputes.

For more than six decades, this arrangement endured wars, crises and periods of extraordinary hostility between the two countries. Its survival demonstrated an important truth: even adversaries can recognize that certain necessities of life must remain above political confrontation.

Yet that principle came under grave strain in April 2025, when India announced that it would hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Pakistan rejected that position, maintaining that the Treaty contains no provision permitting unilateral suspension. Pakistan has continued to assert that the Treaty remains legally binding and that its established mechanisms should govern water-related differences.

Whatever the competing political arguments between the two states, one principle should remain beyond dispute: water must never become an instrument through which the lives and livelihoods of millions are placed at the mercy of political calculations.

For Pakistan, uncertainty over the Indus waters is not an abstract diplomatic question. It touches the farmer waiting for irrigation water, the family dependent upon affordable food, the worker whose livelihood is linked to agriculture, the industries requiring reliable supplies, and the communities dependent upon hydropower and river ecosystems. The lower riparian cannot simply be expected to live with uncertainty whenever political relations deteriorate.

The danger becomes even more serious in an age of climate change. The Indus Basin is already exposed to floods, droughts, changing precipitation patterns, glacier-related risks and increasingly uncertain hydrological conditions. The World Bank has stressed that South Asia faces severe water-security pressures and that cooperation over Transboundary Rivers is critical to the region’s future.

In such circumstances, the answer should be more cooperation, not less; more information-sharing, not secrecy; stronger flood-warning systems, not political uncertainty; and greater respect for established mechanisms, not their abandonment.

Read: The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 and the Role of the World Bank

The Indus Waters Treaty itself contains provisions for the exchange of data and established procedures for resolving questions, differences and disputes. These mechanisms exist for precisely the moments when trust is weakest. International agreements are not tested when relations are cordial; their real value is revealed when relations are strained.

World Rivers Day therefore carries a message far beyond environmental symbolism. It reminds us that rivers belong to a larger human story. They are older than our disputes and will, God willing, outlive our political quarrels. To poison them, exhaust them, obstruct their natural systems or turn them into instruments of coercion is ultimately to endanger ourselves.

The waters of the Indus have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the birth of cities and the toil of generations. They have carried the prayers, hopes and harvests of millions. They should carry peace as well.

Pakistan has every right to protect its water security and to insist upon respect for its treaty-based rights. At the same time, the enduring answer to a shared river cannot be permanent confrontation. It must be responsible upstream conduct, protection of downstream interests, transparent data-sharing, scientific cooperation and respect for established international commitments.

A river is generous by nature. It gives without asking who is rich or poor, powerful or weak. Perhaps humanity’s duty is to learn from that generosity.

On World Rivers Day, therefore, let us remember: when rivers are protected, societies are strengthened; when rivers are shared responsibly, nations find a reason to cooperate; but when rivers are turned into instruments of pressure, uncertainty spreads from the riverbank into the fields, homes and future of entire peoples.

The Indus must remain a river of life—not a weapon of politics. Its waters should irrigate fields, generate power, sustain ecosystems and nourish generations yet unborn. For Pakistan, the protection of the Indus is not merely an environmental obligation. It is a question of agriculture, economy, food security, national resilience and human survival.

And perhaps that is the deepest message of World Rivers Day: water is life, rivers are civilization, and responsible stewardship of shared waters is a duty owed not only to nations, but to humanity itself.

Read: The Old Man Called Pakistan

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Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal, Director General Research, National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad

The post The Generous Heart of a River first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Zafar Wassan

It seems a new exercise in the laboratory of ruling party’s planning corridors is underway with a view to improve the governance system by reforming the civil service. In present scenario, it is undeniable fact that the service delivery systems from public sector is not up to mark and it is not promising for the nation. Tragically, after independence the level of efficiency is scaled down, rather than to touch the ascending digits on scale of performance. It is a bitter reality of the time that democratic change after adult franchise electoral system caused a sharp decline in terms of economic uplift and development of the country. The political government came after the adult franchise electoral system, caused to abrogate the constitutional cover for tenure security. Public functionaries were made subordinate to elected politicians. In backdrop of this law enactment, the merit lost its place and the will of politicians prevailed over the law based solutions. Now, the tenure of a civil servant depend upon the sweet will of political head of government. No doubt, public service delivery systems need improvement, but, it should not meant to deviate from public service based on merit and rule of law. It should not meant to promote favoritism, cronyism and illegal means to reward the lucrative and important position to inept and undeserving functionaries.

Apparently, it seems that proposed civil service reforms will not work and deliver the results as it conceived. These reforms recommendations are made on the model of corporate governance. In corporate sector the delivery targets are meant to increase the monetary or economic returns for a company. These targets are meant to increase the financial size of company. All planning and development operations of corporate entities are meant to earn the profits. The companies are owned by individuals and group of individuals, whereas public service management system is entirely a different landscape to work. It works for the whole population of the country. It delivers across the board, beyond any discrimination and prejudice.

Let us consider that what is real issue to operate governance systems and why is not working in best efficient manner?. In this connection, while reviewing the past performances, some indifferent facts are revealed. It is reported in different history annals, that the governance systems in earlier two decades was quite better than present messy governance. In earlier decades, the country’s economic progress and social development was promising. Pakistan’s ascending graph in terms of economic development was exemplary. The donors were referring these models of governance to other developing countries of the world to follow. It was good in operation as it was free from undue political interference. In developed countries, the governance is run with legal frameworks under prescribed procedures. The equality, justice and human dignity are the landmark of their governance systems. In our systems, the ego is prevailing over the service delivery systems. Politicians are more interested in vote bank rather than to work for the improvement of service delivery. The people who did not vote in favor of ruling politicians are being discriminated and victimized in development programs, funded from public exchequer. It is an undeniable reality that discrimination and prejudice are impeding obstructions for the development pathway. Paradoxically, government is not ready to understand the problem confronted with the system of governance. The law is not being honored in the public service entities, meant to serve the people. The books meant to run the governance systems are not short of of remedies. It provide laws, procedures, policies and regulations to decide the issue. In present legal system it is not a problem to select right person for a specific slot. Law and procedures are very clear to select the best persons to run the public service system. But, political system, based on vote bank criteria doesn’t allow to work in conformity with laws and merit. The criteria for the selection and posting should be based on merit rather than political recommendations. It is norm of the day that merit is being regularly violated by political interference. The system impaired by corrupt practices meant to aggrandize the cronies and favorites of politicians.

In this connection, it is in line with previous recommendations forwarded by experienced bureaucrats, it is proposed that tenure security of public servants should be ensured by strong enactment of laws. Promotions should be on merit rather than to oblige the political recommendations. The corrupt and inefficient functionaries should be barred from promotions. The law abiding environment should be created in public offices. Public functionaries should be encouraged to obey the law and prefer the merit while deciding the matters of public importance rather than to obey the political demands.

Read: Free Thought Can Fix Bad Rules

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Hailing from Sanghar district of Sindh, the author served as public functionary on various senior positions. Now, regularly writing as freelance writer.

The post Politics, not civil service, needs reforms first appeared on Sindh Courier.

• If a large, unchecked influx and internal migration from other regions of the country into Sindh continue on a large scale without adequate planning, documentation, regulation, and integration policies, what institutional mechanisms will be available to protect the legitimate demographic, linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic interests of the indigenous population?
• And if Sindh’s population were to reach substantially higher levels in the coming decades, would emotional slogans and sentimental attachment alone provide an adequate framework for addressing such complex challenges?

​By Z. A. Buriro

​One of the principal arguments advanced in favour of creating new provinces—including proposals concerning the administrative reorganization or division of Sindh—is the challenge of governance stemming from population growth, administrative expansion, and the increasing complexity of managing a large and diverse population. Sindh’s population, already numbering in the tens of millions, is frequently cited in this discourse as evidence that existing administrative arrangements may require serious reconsideration.

​However, the debate should not be confined merely to emotional attachment, political rhetoric, or sentimental expressions of love for Sindh. The historical, cultural, linguistic, demographic, economic, and administrative interests of Sindh require a long-term, evidence-based, and institutionally sustainable approach.

​For decades, a significant segment of the people, political leadership, intellectuals, researchers, and influential stakeholders of Sindh has expressed strong concern regarding the preservation of the province’s demographic character, the Sindhi language and culture, land and other resources, and the constitutional and administrative integrity of the province. Yet, the fundamental question remains: to what extent have these concerns been translated into comprehensive legislation, effective administrative mechanisms, reliable demographic policies, and sustainable institutional safeguards?

Read: Sindh Assembly adopts resolution against division of province

​Emotional attachment to one’s homeland undoubtedly has cultural and historical value. However, emotions alone cannot substitute for sound public policy, effective legislation, institutional capacity, accurate demographic data, transparent governance, and legally sustainable administrative arrangements.

​This question becomes even more significant when considering long-term demographic trends. If a large, unchecked influx and internal migration from other regions of the country into Sindh continue on a large scale without adequate planning, documentation, regulation, and integration policies, what institutional mechanisms will be available to protect the legitimate demographic, linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic interests of the indigenous population? And if Sindh’s population were to reach substantially higher levels in the coming decades, would emotional slogans and sentimental attachment alone provide an adequate framework for addressing such complex challenges?

​These questions should not be approached through fear, hostility, or antagonism towards citizens of other provinces. Pakistan is a federation, and citizens possess constitutional rights to movement, residence, and livelihood, subject to the law. The real issue, therefore, is how a federal province can simultaneously uphold constitutional rights, ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources, maintain effective governance, and preserve its legitimate historical, linguistic, and cultural interests.

​A serious response requires a scientific and institutional framework. This should include evidence-based population planning; transparent and properly maintained land and revenue records; effective Domicile and Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) systems operated strictly in accordance with the law; rational urban and rural planning; the protection of cultural and linguistic heritage; fair and transparent public-sector recruitment mechanisms; an equitable distribution of development resources; strengthened local government; and appropriate legislation within the constitutional framework.

​The objective should not be to exclude citizens on the basis of their provincial origin. Rather, the goal must be to ensure that demographic change, migration, urbanization, and economic development are managed through law, policy, planning, and institutions—rather than through political improvisation or emotional mobilization.

​The future of Sindh cannot be secured merely by repeating that Sindh is indivisible or by invoking historical and emotional bonds. Such sentiments may inspire collective consciousness, but the durable protection of any province ultimately depends upon the strength of its institutions, the quality of its governance, the effectiveness of its laws, and the capacity of its people and leadership to formulate and implement long-term public policy.

​Therefore, the present moment calls for serious reflection:

​What institutional framework should Sindh develop today so that future generations are not compelled to confront tomorrow’s demographic, administrative, cultural, and economic challenges without adequate legal and policy safeguards?

​This is not merely a question of political emotion. It is a question of governance, constitutionalism, demography, public policy, and intergenerational responsibility.

​It is high time to think beyond slogans—and to think in terms of institutions, legislation, evidence, and long-term strategy.

Read: Respect Sindh, Strengthen Pakistan

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​The writer is a civil servant and an interdisciplinary student of law, linguistics, and sociology.

The post Strengthening Sindh as a Sustainable Federal Unit first appeared on Sindh Courier.

By Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal

Water is the essence of life, and it is through its presence that the world achieves prosperity and progress. Nature has provided numerous sources of water; while vast reserves exist underground, rivers—whose courses were charted by nature itself—remain the most vital source. Securing river water was a challenge for Pakistan from the very beginning, as India frequently attempted to obstruct the flow of these natural waterways. To resolve this issue, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed between Pakistan and India on September 19, 1960. Although sixty-six years have passed since then, India has consistently created obstacles in the treaty’s implementation. For Pakistan, water and its rivers serve as a lifeline.

India’s unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance challenges the principles of cooperation, predictability, and responsibility essential to transboundary river governance. Rivers are life, livelihoods, and food security; undermining established mechanisms governing shared rivers places millions of downstream people at greater risk and weakens the foundations of sustainable development. For Pakistan, the Indus river system is the backbone of agriculture, irrigation, hydropower, ecosystems, and rural livelihoods; uncertainty surrounding treaty-based water management therefore carries consequences far beyond diplomacy. In a climate-stressed Indus Basin, unilateral disruption of established water governance mechanisms risks compounding natural hydrological variability with man-made uncertainty, increasing vulnerabilities to both floods and water scarcity.

The rights of lower riparian cannot be subordinated to unilateral political calculations. Sustainable transboundary water management requires that upstream development and water management remain consistent with established legal obligations and downstream interests. The Indus Waters Treaty survived decades of conflict because water security was recognized as a shared strategic responsibility. Its unilateral disruption threatens to erode one of the region’s most important institutional safeguards against water-related instability. Climate change makes cooperation more necessary. As glacier melt, extreme precipitation, droughts, and changing river regimes increase hydrological uncertainty, South Asia requires stronger mechanisms for data-sharing, flood coordination, drought preparedness, and sustainable basin management.

Water must remain a bridge between communities, not a weapon of geopolitical pressure. India’s unilateral abeyance of the IWT risks converting a shared ecological resource into an instrument of strategic coercion, with consequences extending well beyond bilateral relations. When rivers are destabilized, societies are destabilized. Weakening the institutional safeguards around the Indus risks intensifying pressures on agriculture, food systems, livelihoods, energy security, ecosystems, and regional stability.

For sixty-six years, the Indus Waters Treaty survived wars, military confrontations, and prolonged political hostility; India’s unilateral abeyance of the treaty now threatens the very principle that enabled this historic agreement to endure. A treaty that endured six decades of conflict should not be discarded through unilateral political action; India’s attempt to place the IWT in abeyance undermines the sanctity of international agreements. India’s unilateral abeyance of the IWT raises fundamental questions about its commitment to pacta sunt servanda, the basic principle that treaties must be respected and performed in good faith. After sixty-six years of treaty continuity, India’s attempt to suspend the IWT establishes a dangerous precedent that political disagreements can be used to undermine legally binding transboundary water arrangements. The strength of international law lies not in its observance during periods of peace, but in its preservation during periods of crisis. India’s conduct puts that principle under serious strain.

The continued operation of the Court of Arbitration and Neutral Expert processes demonstrates that unilateral political disengagement cannot simply extinguish established treaty-based mechanisms. India’s refusal to engage constructively with established dispute-resolution mechanisms undermines the institutional architecture that allowed the IWT to survive six decades of bilateral confrontation. The IWT’s sixty-six-year history proves that shared rivers can remain governed by law even when political relations collapse; India’s unilateral abeyance risks reversing that historic achievement. Water treaties are instruments of stability, not tools of political retaliation. India’s attempt to weaponise the IWT threatens the credibility of transboundary water governance beyond South Asia. If unilateral suspension of water treaties becomes acceptable, every downstream state dependent on a shared river could face increased uncertainty whenever relations with an upstream state deteriorate.

The Hague Award is a significant affirmation of Pakistan’s longstanding position that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be placed in unilateral “abeyance.” By reaffirming that the Treaty remains fully in force, the ruling strengthens Pakistan’s legal credibility and demonstrates that its reliance on international law and established dispute-resolution mechanisms was justified. The PCA’s unanimous determination strikes at the legal foundation of India’s “abeyance” policy. The Treaty itself contains no provision permitting unilateral suspension, termination or “abeyance”; it remains in force. India cannot convert a political declaration into a legal instrument. The ruling reinforces the fundamental principle of pacta sunt servanda.

India declined to participate in this phase despite being invited to make written submissions. Absence from the courtroom does not erase treaty obligations, nor does it create a legal veto over international adjudication. Refusal to participate cannot become a model for powerful states seeking to evade international dispute resolution mechanisms. The Award reaffirmed that India’s rights over hydro-electric development on the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, the Western Rivers, are treaty-defined rights, not unlimited sovereign discretion. India may construct permitted run-of-river hydro-electric projects, but their design and operation remain subject to the Treaty and its dispute-settlement framework.

The Award was accompanied by a unanimous Order imposing interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydro-Electric Plant. The Court prohibited India from concreting specified portions of the dam wall and power-intake structure above prescribed levels pending the Neutral Expert’s decision, while also requiring reporting on construction-schedule changes. The Court has demonstrated that treaty compliance has practical consequences for ongoing infrastructure activity. The stakes extend far beyond Pakistan and India. If an upstream state could unilaterally suspend a water-sharing treaty whenever political relations deteriorate, the security of downstream states across transboundary river systems would become vulnerable to political coercion. The PCA’s ruling therefore protects not merely one treaty, but a broader principle: international agreements cannot be subordinated to unilateral political convenience.

The Award reinforces the principle that binding water treaties cannot be displaced through unilateral political declarations, strengthening the rules-based framework that protects downstream states worldwide. Pakistan’s position has therefore received authoritative international legal validation: disputes over shared water resources must be governed by law, not coercion or unilateralism. For Pakistan, the Indus system is not merely a river network but the foundation of its agricultural economy, rural livelihoods and food security. The Hague ruling provides critical legal reassurance that the treaty framework governing these vital waters remains intact, while underscoring the importance of predictable, transparent and rules-based water flows for millions whose lives and livelihoods depend on the Indus Basin.

Read: The Politics of Possession

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Muhammad Mohsin Iqbal, Director General Research, National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad

The post Honoring Treaties for a Stable Future first appeared on Sindh Courier.

The electronic media are being paid billions of rupees from public exchequer, for their sycophantic opinions about the performance of government. These exorbitant advertisement bills paid from public exchequer are meant to project the political persons of ruling parties.

Zafar Wassan

The period of enlightenment is considered a turning point for Europe in the annals of history. In this period the people started to think rationally and independently with a view to bring the change in terms societal values, economy policies and scientific theories. The philosophy of reason got the place in minds of people. They started to think beyond the church’s guidelines. In this connection, Voltaire pleaded the case of freedom of expression. He believed in freedom of speech and presenting different ideas rationally beyond the church’s direction. Later on Roseau presented the case of liberty and freedom of speech. He was of the opinion that human dignity should prevail over the governance systems and societal values. These philosophical thoughts changed the minds of the people. This freedom of expression caused to end the monarchies and despotic government in Europe. The freedom of expression given the way to distant opinion. This distant line of thinking caused to evolve new science theories, like human evolution, laws of motion, law of gravitation. These theories and their applicability opened the doors for new invention. After enlightenment period, it was industrial revolution that brought a turn in the lives of people. The European societies which were suffering from the travails of poverty, epidemics and ignorance were converted in a modern society in terms of societal values, science and economical uplift.

In view of above discussion, it is proven fact that freedom of speech and expression paves the way for development. The distant opinion causes accountability of the government. The accountability caused to improve governance systems. The improved governance paves way for better service delivery systems. In present situation, country is suffering from economic crisis and indebted with international loans. The growth is not in conformity with the population growth rate, therefore, poverty figures are scaling up. In such a critical scenario, we should think about the governance lacunae and follow the footsteps of developed countries who are now leading the world in terms social, economic, technological and industrial development. It is only scientific and industrial advancement which changes the growth figures in ascending line. We should welcome the critical analysis about the faults of economy which are impaired by the bad governance. The accountability mechanism should be set in operation with a view to improve the governance. It is dilemma that electronic and print media is not playing its role as it is being played in developed countries. The media streams are being controlled by the beneficiaries of this system. The electronic media are being paid billions of rupees from public exchequer, for their sycophantic opinions about the performance of government. These exorbitant advertisement bills paid from public exchequer are meant to project the political persons of ruling parties. It has given the way to lap journalism. In developed societies, the media is supposed to play the watch dog role for ill motivated actions of politicians. The eulogies of “It is all is well” is being streamed from toady journalists is dragging back our society to dark ages. In view of this critical analysis, the civil society should unite for a better governance. This unity should meant to correct and reform the governance with ultimate objective to work for the welfare of the people. The stronger economies always run by the power of laws. The laws are meant to ensure justice, merit and equality to avail the chances in the process of development. Eventually, the laws and regulations to run the system, ensure the economic growth and positive returns from the investment. The internal security mechanism cannot deliver meaningful outcomes, unless it is supported by good governance systems.

Read: Ethnic Riot Plot Foiled in Sindh

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Hailing from Sanghar district of Sindh, the author served as public functionary on various senior positions. Now, regularly writing as freelance writer.

The post Free Thought Can Fix Bad Rules first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Gorakh Hill represents both an opportunity and a warning. Properly protected, it could become a model of sustainable tourism, local employment and environmental education.

By Dr. Mazhar Lakho | USA

Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari’s keynote address at the Third Gul Hassan Kalmatti Conference carries a disturbing message: the crisis confronting the Khirthar Mountains is not simply a natural calamity. It is increasingly a man-made disaster produced by careless development, environmental neglect, weak regulation, and the exclusion of local communities from decisions about their ancestral land. His warning has particular relevance to Gorakh Hill, one of the most beautiful but poorly protected natural landscapes of Sindh.

Gorakh Hill is situated in the Khirthar mountain range in Dadu District, at an elevation of approximately 5,688 feet. Its relatively cool climate, dramatic rocky landscape and panoramic views have made it one of Sindh’s best-known tourist destinations. The Sindh Tourism Development Corporation promotes it as a major provincial attraction. Yet calling Gorakh a tourist destination is not enough. It is also part of a sensitive ecological, historical and cultural landscape that must not be sacrificed for short-term commercial interests.

Development without Environmental Responsibility

The tragedy of Gorakh Hill reflects a wider pattern in Sindh: governments announce ambitious development projects, allocate large amounts of public money and construct visible facilities, but give inadequate attention to environmental science, maintenance, transparency and the needs of surrounding communities.

Roads, resorts and tourism facilities can benefit the region, but development without careful planning can also scar mountain slopes, disturb natural drainage, increase soil erosion and generate uncontrolled waste. Heavy vehicles, unregulated construction and large numbers of visitors can damage a fragile landscape that took thousands of years to form.

A mountain cannot be treated like an empty plot available for concrete construction. Its slopes, water channels, vegetation and wildlife form an interconnected system. Cutting a road through a slope or blocking a natural watercourse may appear harmless during dry weather, but its consequences can become disastrous when heavy rains arrive.

This is the essence of describing Kirthar’s crisis as “man-made.” Nature may produce rain, heat and drought, but human decisions determine whether those natural events remain manageable or become catastrophes.

Tourism Must Not Become Exploitation

Gorakh Hill certainly has the potential to create employment and economic opportunities for Dadu, Johi, Wahi Pandhi and the surrounding settlements. However, tourism must be community-centered and environmentally sustainable.

At present, visitors frequently complain about hazardous roads, inadequate sanitation, insufficient accommodation, waste disposal problems and poor emergency arrangements. Tourism cannot be considered successful merely because thousands of people reach the summit. Success must be measured by safety, environmental protection, local participation and the preservation of the landscape for future generations.

The government should prevent indiscriminate construction and prohibit commercial activities that damage the mountain. Plastic waste, sewage, vehicle emissions and uncontrolled camping must be properly regulated. Every tourism operator should be required to follow environmental standards, and violations should carry meaningful penalties.

Most importantly, local residents must not be reduced to spectators while politically connected contractors and outside investors capture the benefits. The communities that have lived in the Khirthar region for generations possess valuable knowledge about its water sources, weather, wildlife and pathways. Their participation is essential to any credible conservation policy.

A Landscape of History and Identity

Dr. Lashari’s background as an archaeologist and conservationist gives his warning added significance. Kirthar is not simply a collection of barren mountains. It contains old settlements, traditional routes, archaeological remains, sacred places, indigenous knowledge and centuries of human interaction with the natural environment.

The name Gorakh itself is commonly associated with Gorakhnath and the older spiritual traditions of the region. This reminds us that Sindh’s landscape has always reflected cultural and religious diversity. Gorakh therefore belongs not only to the tourism department but also to Sindh’s collective historical memory.

The conference’s association with Gul Hassan Kalmatti is equally meaningful. Kalmatti devoted his life to documenting the land, history and indigenous communities of Sindh, particularly those threatened by land grabbing and destructive development. To honor him is not merely to hold conferences in his name. It is to continue his struggle for the protection of land, heritage and local people.

What Must Be Done

The Sindh government should commission an independent environmental and archaeological assessment of Gorakh Hill and its surrounding region. This assessment must be publicly available and completed before approving further large-scale construction.

A responsible protection plan should include:

* Strict zoning for construction and commercial activity;

* Scientific assessment of roads, slopes and natural drainage;

* Reliable emergency, medical and rescue facilities;

* Regulated visitor numbers during peak periods;

* Complete systems for sewage and solid-waste removal;

* Protection of wildlife, vegetation and water sources;

* Preservation of archaeological and sacred sites;

* Transparent publication of project budgets and contracts;

* Formal representation of local communities in tourism management;

* Independent annual environmental audits.

Gorakh should be developed through low-impact tourism: small eco-friendly lodges, guided hiking routes, local handicrafts, trained community guides and properly managed campsites. The purpose should be to experience the mountain—not to urbanize it.

Gorakh Is a Test for Sindh

Gorakh Hill represents both an opportunity and a warning. Properly protected, it could become a model of sustainable tourism, local employment and environmental education. Mismanaged, it could become another example of public money being spent while natural and cultural wealth is gradually destroyed.

Dr. Kaleemullah Lashari’s central message demands serious attention: disasters are not always imposed by nature. They are often manufactured through corruption, ignorance, reckless construction and institutional indifference.

Sindh must decide whether Gorakh Hill is merely land to be exploited or a heritage to be protected. Once a mountain ecosystem is permanently damaged, speeches, budgets and official promises cannot restore it. Gorakh belongs to the people of Sindh—and they hold it in trust for generations yet to come.

Read: Karachi’s Governance Strained by Military Land

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The post Gorakh Hill: Sindh’s Treasure under Threat first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Mohammad Zafar Wassan

This is with reference to recent electronic and social media streams about a thriller story in which a professor of Karachi University alleged upon the Konain Shah for violence and torture. Konain Shah is grandson of former Pir Pagaro. Pir Pagaro was the President of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional). He was staunch follower of national solidarity and cohesion, devoid of any ethnic, sectarian or religious divide.

Actually, it was an incident of bickering and petty squabble between two parties. But, Karachi based electronic and Social media presented this routine incident like Shah Rukh Jatoi’s incident. The case of entirely different from Jatoi’s case which was a murder, in that case an innocent youngest was murdered for the honour of his sister. Even in that law taken its course and met its logical end. He was imprisoned for many years in jail.

The media reporting, in the case of Konain shah was quite discriminatory and it was meant to avail the chance by mediocre means. It created a havoc in Karachi and it was meant to create an ethnic divide among the residents of Karachi who are living with peace and harmony. After suffering the big life and property losses in backdrop of ethnic riots the peoples of Sindh don’t want to make the streets of Sindh a battle ground for massacre, genocide and ethnic cleansing. In this connection, the role of Pagaro family is commendable who tried to settle the issue amicably with the professor in best interest of Sindh’s peace. Being politicians, they perceived the gravity of situation leading to disaster in terms of ethnic division and long term fights between the residents of Karachi. In recent past, the accidental case of Bushra Zaidi was propagated in an irresponsible way which created an ethnic divide between the residents of Karachi. Thousands of people lost their lives and properties with worth of Billions. It was mishandling of the situation by immature politicians who caused this enormous loss for Karachi.

In present scenario, the indifferent political intelligentsia of the province cannot be absolved from their responsibilities who failed to understand the real problem of the people, living on the soils of Sindh. It is bad luck for our country that we are short of politicians with a broader vision to develop a progressive understanding on the lines of developed society.

In present scenario, the problem lies with governance systems, who are failed to deliver the services, as it due from a democratic government. The whole system stands paralyzed by the institutional corruption and corporate corruption. The corrupt practices in public offices is norm of the day. The public offices meant to serve the people in best efficient manner. But, the office holder are serving for private interest, rather than to work for public interest. They are shifting their responsibilities for a better governance to their rival political groups in the name of ethnicity. In such a situation, the political intelligentsia should come forward and formulate the policies and strategies with a set vision of Good governance. The governance decisions should be on scientific parameter rather than to secure and increase vote bank in targeted constituencies. These governance system reforms should aimed to increase the scope of public service delivery systems across the board. The economic merits should be taken into consideration with a view to increase the size of economy with positive economic and financial returns. The healthy economy will open new doors of development leading to upscale the welfare indicators. The reforms in the system will accommodate and compensate the people and improve the lives of people. Eventually, a sound and vibrant civil society will be on board to perpetuate the development like developed countries.

Read: Social Media Mobilizes Fast Local Justice

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The author served as public functionary on various senior positions. Now, regularly writing as freelance writer.

The post Ethnic Riot Plot Foiled in Sindh first appeared on Sindh Courier.

The social media can play a role to reform public service delivery systems

Mohammad Zafar Wassan

Recently, the people of Sanghar seen the high-handedness of some criminals who abducted Hassan Ali Chanihyoon, a local progressive land lord. He is known in the area for his upright character and serving the people beyond any political discrimination. He earned laurels from the people when he served as Minister for Agriculture and Forests. He proved his incumbency role, as minister with office integrity and honesty by upscaling the service delivery outputs in the Agriculture. After the abduction of Chanihyoon, strong reactions on social media was seen.

In backdrop of this reaction, it was proved that Civil Society is working. It is working with all its energies, strengths and capacities. It was outcome of social media campaign that Chanihyoon sahib was recovered in a short while. Some lap journalists and sycophant activist are attributing the recovery to some of local politicians. In fact, it was the agitating voice, raised by the people who are lesser interested in political gain or avail the chance to increase the vote bank. This campaign was launched by those social activists who believe in the merit, justice, rule of law. They believe in constitution and sanctity of rights delegated to citizens of this country by the constitution. Constitution is the supreme law that prevails over all the governing means and run the service delivery systems.

Although, it was a deplorable incident, but, it gave a flashpoint to agitate against crime. The agitational social media campaign was meant to secure the life and property of law abiding and peace loving persons. This campaign proved the power of social media and civil society’s role to deter the violence, vandalism and offensive role of ruling cronies. It was proved that people are not afraid of might, but, they are affiliated with the right. It stands proved that criminals are criminals and criminals are always punished, condemned and abhorred by the society. It has given a message that wrongs in society should be fought by unity and a unanimous stand against the wrongs. The agitational movements should be launched without any violence and law violations. The state authorities, public functionaries and political leaders should be reminded about their incumbency role to serve the people without any discrimination. The ruling leadership is bound to serve the people across the board beyond any discrimination. The distant opinion on social media shows the health of a society to differentiate right for the betterment and uplift of the society. The wrongs are condemned for the reason that it will create division of society leading to anarchy. It is an awareness indicator to decide the future strategies for the betterment of people.

Read: Fear, Crime, Silence: Sindh’s Hidden Order

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The author served as public functionary on various senior positions. Now, regularly writing as freelance writer.

The post Social Media Mobilizes Fast Local Justice first appeared on Sindh Courier.