If the voices of the people of Sindh are not given any heed, the situation can aggravate with dire consequences
Azhar “Azad” Mughal
The construction of six controversial canals on Indus River in Punjab has triggered widespread protest demonstrations, sit-ins, long marches and rallies in Sindh by the people belonging to each and every school of thought, every walk of life including children, youngsters, woman, students, health workers, growers, lawyers, political and social activists.
They consider Sindhu a great source of their survival and livelihood, and are fighting vehemently and peacefully the war of their existence with the power of resistance and unwavering struggle.
The federal government nodded this project without taking the people of Sindh into confidence, without consulting the council of common interests, the institution responsible for resolving and addressing the issues facing provinces. The meeting of CCI is a must to convene within every 90 days according to the article 154 of the constitution of the country. Has this mandate of CCI not been violated and encroached? Does the federal government enjoy powers to go ahead with controversial canals without developing consensus among stakeholders?
The construction of the canals is in full swing despite genuine grievances, strong reservations and reaction by the inhabitants amid agitation and protest movement. The people of federating unit Sindh are up in arms for the security of the sanctity of Sindhu for they deem the canals death warrants for their very existence. Why is the federal government adamant to go ahead with the construction of the controversial canals? What kind of message is being conveyed to the people of Sindh, the assembly of which played a key role in the passing of resolution for the establishment of the country in the sub-continent? Is it a matter of naivety or sanity to divert water from River Indus to irrigate barren lands at the cost of Sindh’s fertile lands? Does the federal government represent only Punjab or the whole country? Is sticking to the project in the larger interests of the country?
The Sindh Assembly unanimously passed resolution against the construction of six controversial canals. Before this, the president also opposed his own decision of canals back while addressing the joint session of parliament in the wake of pressure put by the people of Sindh and advised the federal government to act accordingly but unfortunately nothing conclusive has taken place so far despite lapse of two to three months to the voices of opposition on this issue of vital interest to the people of Sindh.
Even the progressive forces and sane sections of Punjab are voicing their concerns and opposing the project in solidarity with the people of Sindh but the voices emanating from the well-wishers of the country are not being heard.
Sindh is already suffering owing to acute shortage of water and the canals wound certainly render its fertile lands barren. The claim made by IRSA through letter regarding availability of water is unfounded and baseless, and in disregard of ground realities. The delta of River Indus is really in jeopardy due to not release of 10 MF water into sea which is considered to be vital by the water experts. Not only would the canals surely pose threat to environment and ecosystem of Sindh but also compel the population of the coastal areas to migrate to towns and cities.
Experts are of the opinion that the canals would give birth to drought-like situation and crisis of food security. This crisis is not only affecting farmers, but also harming the ecosystem. Soil erosion leads to desertification, disrupting aquatic life and degrading water quality. The loss of trees and vegetation along the riverbanks makes the land even more vulnerable, increasing the risk of further environmental damage. Without intervention, this problem will only worsen, threatening both food security and biodiversity in the region.
According to studies Sindh is among the most climate-vulnerable regions globally and was experiencing rising temperatures, erratic and reduced rainfall, and prolonged droughts, severely impacting agriculture and farming communities.
It must be borne in mind that the construction of controversial canals for irrigating and cultivating desert lands of Cholistan at the cost of fertile lands of Sindh would never be acceptable to the people of Sindh and they are resisting and would continue resisting the canals project for the sake of their very existence.
The river Indus should not be confined to the flow of water but it has remained the symbol of the thousand years of culture, civilization and history. It is sacred as a mother to the people of Sindh more than their lives and they can go to any extent for the currents of Sindhu. The step-motherly attitude meted out to the people of Sindh would give birth to sense of alienation.
If the voices of the people of Sindh are not given any heed, the situation can aggravate with dire consequences.
Read: Understanding the Controversy
______________
Azhar “Azad” Mughal is Shikarpur-based freelance writer
