Awami Tahreek stages a massive protest march in Thari Mirwah
Thari Mirwah, Sindh
Awami Tahreek staged a massive protest march on Thursday March 20 in Thari Mirwah town of Khairpur district against the construction of new canals from the Indus River, corporate farming projects leading to land encroachment, and proposed amendments to the IRSA Act.
Addressing the march, Awami Tahreek’s central president, Advocate Visand Thari, warned that Pakistan is being pushed towards a crisis similar to 1971. He stated that the establishment, along with its civilian allies, has dismantled Jinnah’s Pakistan. He urged the federal government and the establishment to abandon their anti-people policies.
Senior Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiar emphasized that the Indus River is the lifeline of Sindh, but Punjab’s excessive water withdrawals have left the province facing severe shortages. He condemned the construction of three additional canals from the Indus, warning that they would further devastate Sindh’s already fragile water supply. He criticized IRSA, calling it a tool of Punjab rather than a federal institution, citing Punjab’s dominance in decision-making.
The protest march began at Naka Chowk and culminated in a sit-in at Shaheed Fazil Rahu Chowk, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the federal and Punjab governments. It was led by Advocate Visand Thari, Noor Ahmed Katiar, Ustad Amir Mangi, Dr. Madad Laghari, Sher Muhammad Jogi, Hakim Hajano, Ali Raza Khaskheli, and Kamran Mangi.
Protest leaders highlighted that Sindh is already experiencing a 60% water shortage, yet Punjab is diverting additional water for its agricultural expansion. They revealed that work is underway on nine new canals, including the recently announced Pakpattan, Toba Tek Singh, and Islamabad Link Canals. Punjab has also allocated billions for the remodeling of seven existing canals. The leaders argued that spending exorbitant amounts on new irrigation projects while the country faces economic turmoil is an act of national irresponsibility.
Awami Tahreek strongly opposed corporate farming initiatives, arguing that the allocation of millions of acres of Sindh’s land to large companies threatens the rights of indigenous communities and could lead to internal displacement. The leaders accused the federal government and the establishment of pushing the country towards instability through such policies.
Furthermore, Awami Tahreek condemned the Sindh government for registering cases against students and citizens protesting for water rights in Thari Mirwah and Faiz Ganj. The party asserted that such actions reflect the government’s fear of public dissent and vowed that Sindh’s people would not be intimidated by legal threats.
The protest marked a renewed commitment to defending Sindh’s water rights and resisting policies that undermine the province’s interests through peaceful and democratic means.
Read: Massive Rally against Anti-Sindh Policies
________________
