Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek organize rally and sit-in in Khipro town against Corporate Farming, New Canals, and IRSA Act Amendments
Sanghar, Sindh
As a part of ongoing protest campaign against the construction of disputed canals in Punjab, a rally and sit-in were organized by the Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek in Khipro town of district Sanghar on Monday March 24.
The rally started from Khipro Canal and marched to Shaheed Soreh Badshah Chowk. Participants, including women, children, farmers, lawyers, civil society representatives, and other citizens, carried placards and chanted slogans against corporate farming, six new canals, and amendments to the IRSA Act.
Demonstrators accused the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of “selling the Indus River” and prioritizing power over Sindh’s interests. They claimed President Zardari approved the six new canals and amendments to the IRSA Act, enabling the sale of Indus River water to foreign corporations.
Protesters said that the strategic Canal project has expanded from six to nine canals, threatening Sindh’s environment and resources.
Lal Jarwar, Central Information Secretary, Awami Tehreek alleged PPP is exploiting Sindh’s land and water resources to empower Bilawal Bhutto as Prime Minister. He stated 52,713 acres of Sindh’s land have already been allocated to foreign investors via military-linked companies, with plans to sell 130,000 more acres.
Leaders labeled the six new canals a “death warrant for Sindh” and part of a corporate farming agenda backed by PPP leaders Bilawal Bhutto and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.
They said PPP’s planned protest on 25 March was condemned as a “conspiracy” to sabotage Sindh’s peaceful resistance and propaganda in the favor of corporate farming.
Umrah Samoon, President, Sindhyani Tehreek, declared that Sindh’s women will lead the struggle to protect the Indus River, land, and cultural heritage.
Leaders warned PPP to abandon its support for corporate farming or face the same fate as dictators Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Musharraf. They vowed to protect every inch of Sindh’s land, rivers and historical sites.
The rally concluded with a resolve to continue peaceful democratic resistance until all “anti-people, anti-country” projects are revoked.
Shamsad Laghari, Sattar Rind, Izhar Dawood Poto, Ataullah Unar, Musa Rajar, Haleem Mangrio, Dildar Laghari, Sadiq Kunbhar, Mian Ghulam Haider Rajar, Amar Sindhu Mari, Zainab Rajar, Ali Nawaz Dahri, Mir Hassan Mari, and Other spoke during the demonstration.
Read: Sindh’s Children Defend Indus River
_________________
