The construction work has been completed without the consent of people of Sindh, Advocate Ghulam Shah
- Sindh Skills Development Program holds seminar at its New Jersey house to address the contentious construction of six new canals on the Indus River
New Jersey
Senior advocate Sayed Ghulam Shah has revealed that 50% of the construction work of controversial canals from Indus River had already been completed without the consent of Sindh’s people.
He was speaking at a seminar hosted by Sindh Skills Development Program – SSDP at its New Jersey house to address the contentious construction of six new canals on the Indus River.
Ghulam Shah warned that the continued construction of these canals would result in devastating consequences, including seawater encroachment, a reduction in arable land, and a severe drinking water shortage. “This is a matter of life and death for the people of Sindh,” he stated, calling on the Sindhi community to protest these developments using all available capacities and platforms.”
Ghulam Shah, while providing historical context, highlighted the longstanding injustices faced by the people of Sindh concerning water rights. He pointed out that three rivers were ceded to India under the Indus Waters Treaty, leading to the construction of link canals to divert Indus River water into these rivers. This diversion, according to Shah, was a betrayal of Sindh’s interests, as it prioritized the fertility of lands along these rivers at the expense of Sindh’s own agricultural and drinking water needs.
Barrister Akhtar Hussain A. Jabbar Shaikh was as the honorary guest. The event brought together members of the Sindhi community to discuss the implications of these projects on the region’s water rights and agriculture.
Read: Death of the Indus Delta
In his address, Barrister Akhtar Hussain A. Jabbar Shaikh emphasized the urgent need to modernize Sindh’s irrigation systems, particularly through the adoption of advanced techniques like drip irrigation. He underlined the importance of increasing Sindh’s influence on current administrative bodies to achieve meaningful outcomes. He suggested that instead of merely addressing federal authorities, Sindh should focus on strengthening its case at local and provincial levels to ensure fair distribution of Indus River water.
Read: Why Are the Sindhis Protesting in Pakistan?
The SSDP reaffirmed its commitment to raising awareness about the critical issues impacting Sindh’s water resources and urged the community to stay united in their efforts to protect their rights.
This seminar served as a powerful reminder of the need for equitable water distribution and sustainable management of the Indus River, ensuring the survival and prosperity of Sindh’s people and environment. (PR)
Read: Let the Indus River Flow Free
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