We know that the Chenab River is a tributary of the River Indus. The construction of water reservoirs on it would affect Sindh’s share of water, as it is the lower riparian.

Ambassador M. Alam Brohi

Though the controversy over the six canals downstream of Kalabagh, based on a water availability certificate issued by IRSA, erupted in July 2024 when WAPDA surreptitiously obtained the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari by convincing him of the availability of water in the system, the project per se is an old one and dates back to the Musharraf era. It included the Jhelum Right Bank and Thal canals and the Rainee Flood Feeder. Two more canals, Thar and Cholistan, were added to the project. The Thar Canal will feed Tharparkar in Sindh. Interestingly, Sindh has already rejected it, terming it a camouflage for other canals.

These four canals have a command area of over 6 million acres. They would take over 40,000 cusecs of water directly from the River Indus between Kalabagh and Taunsa Barrage, irrespective of the season. We may note that the canals of Sindh off-taking from Guddu (3) and Sukkur Barrages (7) usually face a collective water scarcity of over 19.5%, or some 120,000 cusecs, except during flood seasons. The commissioning of the above canals will further adversely affect Sindh’s share of water flowing over 400 kilometers from Taunsa Barrage to Guddu, with seepage into the Taunsa Flood Canal, evaporation and pilferage by local landlords adding to the losses.

The Punjab establishment, in collaboration with WAPDA, has taken up another old project involving the construction of four water reservoirs: two on the Chenab River at Mid Ranjha and Chiniot, and two on the Sutlej River at Bahawalnagar and Hasilpur. These reservoirs would be utilized to irrigate huge tracts of Cholistan’s land as part of the Green Pakistan Initiative. We know that the Chenab River is a tributary of the River Indus. The construction of water reservoirs on it would affect Sindh’s share of water, as it is the lower riparian.

The Sutlej River was handed over to India under the Indus Water Basin Treaty. Its waters are regulated by India. Some water is available in it during the flood seasons; otherwise, it remains dry. Therefore, the availability of water in it would be erratic and unreliable. Spending huge funds on a project of this nature is unfathomable unless another water source to fill the reservoir through a link canal is made available. WAPDA’s projects have always been lopsided and unfairly disadvantageous to smaller provinces. The main agricultural belt of Balochistan, including Nasirabad and parts of the Sibbi Divisions, depends for irrigation water on the canals off-taking from Guddu. These are the Beggary and Pat Feeder canals.

As a federal country with a constitutional forum, the Council of Common Interests (CCI), for the resolution of such controversies, our leaders should consciously avoid taking unilateral decisions regarding major development projects within the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) or provincial projects involving federal development and financial institutions. These projects should be presented to the CCI before being processed for approval by the competent authority. This will end interprovincial disputes and acrimony.

Any shortage of water in the Indus River system for any reason, whether natural causes, erratic monsoons, pilferage, the filling of dams during sowing seasons, the conversion of a flood canal into a perennial canal, or the diversion of more water from the Indus River through the Jhelum and Taunsa link canals, will inevitably affect both Sindh and Balochistan. This is the paradox of the tail-end regions. Therefore, the national institutions responsible for the construction of new water reservoirs should take into consideration the water needs of these provinces at the tail end.

Sindh has a delta stretching from Karachi to Ketti Bandar in Badin District. The delta had thick mangrove forests, with various fish and other marine animals, which are now perishing. The delta used to be enriched by the mighty waves of the River Indus, carrying over 450 tons of silt and spreading it over the delta. However, the Tarbela and Mangla Dams have tamed the tides of the river. In the Water Accord of 1991, it was agreed to release at least 10 to 7 million acre-feet of water into the delta to prevent the sea from advancing towards the coastal areas, making them saline and waterlogged and rendering them barren.

Since 1991, no more than 5 million acre-feet of water has flowed into the sea, which is inadequate to stop it from encroaching on the coastal areas. So far, the districts of Thatta, Sujawal and Badin have lost millions of acres of agricultural land to the advancing sea. Palla fish has become rare. We used to have nice restaurants at Kotri Bridge serving Palla fish. Palla fish hatches in the mangrove forests and swims upstream against the flow of the river. Before reaching Kotri, it would grow into a big fish weighing over a kilo. One of the biggest deltas in the world is dying because our people upstream consider the flow of sweet water into the sea as wastage. Ignorance, thy name.

Changing the geography of a federal constituent requires multi-layered consultations with the province’s leaders, national economic and financial institutions, and the country’s administrative machinery because new provinces should be politically, economically, financially and administratively sustainable. We cite the example of India, which increased the number of its states from 14 to 28. The other examples many of our intellectuals have quoted are of unitary states, not federal states, including the Netherlands and Japan.

They have administrative districts or prefectures, not political units. The latter have political set-ups, while the former are administered by a senior officer of the administrative machinery. We have 150 districts and 36 divisions in our country.

Yes, India created many states, taking into consideration ethnic, linguistic, cultural and political affiliations, as well as administrative convenience. However, we forget to tell our people that India formed a State Reorganization Commission in 1951, which thoroughly surveyed the regions, held multi-layered consultations, and made its recommendations three years after its inception. This commission is still in place. We want to conceive proposals and implement them overnight. We reaped the damaging outcomes of this haste in the earlier schemes of Parity, One-Unit, and the federalization of Karachi.

Read: Who Is the Real Victor?

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The writer is a former member of the Foreign Service of Pakistan and has served as Ambassador for two terms. He is the author of five books.

The post No Federation sans Provincial Autonomy-1 first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Badin| Mirpurkhas

Awami Tehreek’s protest movement continues in the form of demonstrations, marches, sit-ins, and rallies against corporate farming, the occupation of Sindh’s lands and resources, and the construction of six new canals from the Indus River.

A protest march was held in Seraani town of district Badin on Sunday June 1, against corporate farming projects and new canals on the Indus, led by Awami Tehreek’s Central President Advocate Vasand Thari, Central Vice President Sattar Rind, Ali Mohammad Parvez Memon, Mehran Dars, Mukhtiar Bakari, Advocate Kamran Lakho, Advocate Fazil Zaur, Mohammad Ali Talpur, Bahadur Talpur, and others.

Speaking on the occasion, the leaders said the federal and Punjab governments must be held accountable for the usurpation of water of Sindh, which has continued since 1859. They accused PPP of orchestrating false dramas. They alleged that the peaceful movement of Sindh against corporate farming and canals is being turned violent. Under a conspiracy, lawlessness is being promoted in Sindh.

Meanwhile, in Mirpurkhas, Sindhi Hari Tehreek and Awami Tehreek organized a protest rally.

The protest rally commenced from State Life and concluded at Press Club Mirpurkhas, led by prominent leaders including Noor Ahmed Katiar (Central Senior Vice President, Awami Tehreek), Dr. Dildar Laghari (Central Leader, Sindhi Hari Tehreek), Mukhtiar Khaskheli (District President, Awami Tehreek Mirpurkhas), Ali Nawaz Dahri (Central Senior Vice President, Sindhi Hari Tehreek), Comrade Shagan Kolhi (District President, Sindhi Hari Tehreek Mirpurkhas), Ameer Bux Jarwar, Khair Muhammad Chandio, and other activists.

Addressing the rally, Noor Ahmed Katiar said, “Corporate farming projects are being used to carry out economic massacre of farmers. These are clear attempts to seize the resources of oppressed nations under the guise of development. Punjab’s rulers are launching encroachments on the Indus River, treating Sindh as a conquered territory, and betraying the very foundations laid by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.”

Dr. Dildar Laghari stated, “Through these projects, farmers are being displaced, their lands snatched, and their rights denied. Black laws like the Labor Code have been imposed to enslave farmers and strip them of basic rights.”

Ali Nawaz Dahri criticized the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) saying, “The PPP raised slogans of bread, cloth, and shelter, yet in its 17 years of rule, it hasn’t granted even a single acre of land to the farmers. It remains a party of feudal lords, landlords, and spiritual leaders, exploiting poor and working-class people.”

Mukhtiar Khaskheli and Comrade Shagan Kolhi highlighted that, “Due to an artificially created water shortage, crops like cotton could not be cultivated in Mirpurkhas. The Sindh government is equally complicit with Punjab’s rulers in looting Sindh’s water and resources, deliberately pushing Sindh towards a drought-like situation.”

The leaders collectively vowed that the joint struggle of Awami Tehreek and Sindhi Hari Tehreek against corporate farming schemes, illegal encroachments on the Indus River, and the exploitation of Sindh’s resources would continue until the defeat of oppressive forces. (PR)

Read: Sindh is under the Dictatorship

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Moro, Sindh  

A protest march was organized by Awami Tehreek in Moro town of Naushahro Feroze district on Sunday May 11, 2025 against the construction of canals from River Indus in Punjab, corporate farming, artificial water scarcity in Sindh, construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, and the encroachment on Sindh’s mineral resources.

The protest was led by Central President of Awami Tehreek Advocate Vasand Thari, Senior Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiyar, Latif Bhatti, Hussain Soomro, and others. A large number of women from the Sindhyani Tehreek participated, along with children, youth, farmers, and laborers. They chanted slogans against corporate farming projects and the Bhasha Dam. They pledged to continue the struggle until all projects on the Indus River are shelved.

Speaking on the occasion, Advocate Vasand Thari and Noor Ahmed Katiyar said the decision to construct new canals on the Indus River has not yet been reversed. “The CCI’s decision is unconstitutional and a conspiracy to weaken the Sindhi nation’s struggle. The CCI (Council of Common Interests) functions as a Punjab-dominated institution. Institutions like IRSA and CCI represent Punjab instead of the federal structure.”

The leaders said the establishment and agent rulers of global imperialism have turned the secular and enlightened Pakistan envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah into a prison for oppressed nations. Pakistan has become a unitary state instead of a federal one.

Under Article 155 Clause 2 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the CCI has the authority to completely overturn such decisions if a complaint is made. But the federal government, cunningly, did not completely annul the canal decision. The PPP has made deals on the Indus River and Sindh’s lands. The PPP is a key component of the federal government, which cannot function even for a day without it. If Bilawal is truly against the canals, then President Zardari should resign and leave the federal alliance to stand with the Sindhi people in this struggle.

Despite severe water scarcity in Sindh, the opening of the Taunsa-Panjnad and Chashma-Jhelum link canals shows Punjab’s insensitivity. IRSA remains a silent spectator. Water is being stolen from Sindh between Chashma and Guddu Barrage, yet IRSA doesn’t say a word.

They declared that the people of Sindh will not tolerate any dam or canal on the Indus River. If the federal government allocates a budget for the dam, the people of Sindh will reject such an anti-national budget. Allocating funds for the Diamer Bhasha Dam is an attack on Sindh and a conspiracy to block its water. It has been reported in newspapers that a budget preparation meeting took place last Friday in which the Bhasha Dam budget was discussed. They believe this is a conspiratorial move against the country.

They affirmed that the Awami Tehreek’s struggle will continue against corporate farming projects, new canals, and dams on the Indus River. The scope of the struggle will be expanded even further. (PR)

Read: Bhasha Dam would be the world’s most dangerous dam

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Badin, Sindh

Awami Tehreek held a protest march on Saturday May 10, 2025 in Rajukhanani town of district Badin against the construction of canals from the Indus River in Punjab, corporate farming projects, and the worsening water shortage in Sindh.

The protest march started from Bakhsho Nizamani and culminated in a sit-in at WAPDA Chowk in Rajukhanani. The march was led by Awami Tehreek’s Central Senior Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiyar, District President Ali Muhammad Pervaiz, Mehran Dars, Humero Mal, Mukhtiar Bakari, Fazil Zaur, Manji Kolhi, Hariram Kolhi, Lakhman Kolhi, Bhemchand Kolhi, Champa Kolhi, and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Central Senior Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiyar said that Sindh is facing an extreme drought. People across Sindh are desperate even for a single drop of water. The province’s agricultural land has been rendered completely barren. Despite the worst water crisis in Sindh, Punjab has started filling its canals and dams through aggressive and unjust means. Even though Sindh is suffering from a severe water shortage, Punjab has opened the Taunsa-Panjnad and Chashma-Jhelum link canals, pushing Sindh further towards devastation. Punjab government has not stopped filling its dams and is stealing Sindh’s share of water.

He stated that at Guddu Barrage, the water shortage has reached 84%, at Sukkur Barrage it is 26%, and at Kotri Barrage it stands at 55%. While Sindh is crying out for water, Punjab continues to flow water through the Dacoit Canal (Dhaarelu Wah). Punjab has increased the flow of the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal to 12,000 cusecs and the Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal to 7,255 cusecs. He added that Sindh’s water is being stolen from Taunsa to Guddu, and there is no record or accountability for the stolen water.

He also strongly criticized the Sindh government, saying it has surpassed all limits of apathy. The Pakistan People’s Party is not willing to utter a single word about the water crisis. The Chief Minister of Sindh remains silent. He further said that while Sindh’s water is being looted on one hand, on the other, its mineral resources are being eyed. In Balochistan, the Mines and Minerals Act has been passed to occupy the region’s resources, and similar preparations are underway to seize Sindh’s minerals. (PR)

Read: Let the Indus River Flow Free

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Dr. Muhammad Mataro Hingorjo | Ireland

In recent weeks, Sindh has witnessed a powerful and unprecedented public uprising against the controversial six canals and so-called “Green Pakistan” initiatives. Thousands of ordinary Sindhi men and women, from cities to remote villages, rose up in peaceful protest to defend their land, their water, and their future. The Babarlo Bypass protest became a symbol of this mass awakening—uniting people across caste, religion, gender, and social status. It was a rare and historic moment of collective consciousness.

But now, a disturbing new chapter has begun.

It appears that a targeted campaign has been launched by the authorities to intimidate and punish the very people who supported and participated in these peaceful protests. Reports are emerging of state institutions identifying and harassing common citizens—those with no political backing or security. These actions are not isolated; they follow a familiar pattern of suppression used by the feudal elite and their allies in federal power structures.

This campaign is a clear attempt to break the spirit of the people, to create fear, and to prevent future resistance. But this time, the people of Sindh must not let such a conspiracy succeed.

Sindh’s recent unity shocked the ruling elite. Without any centralized leadership or political flags, people organized themselves—peacefully, powerfully, and with political maturity. Despite limited resources, they managed to draw national and international attention to their cause. The protest might not have yielded immediate political results, but it taught us something vital: Sindh is capable of standing up for its rights with dignity and strength.

The federal and provincial ruling classes seem blind to their own vulnerabilities—both internationally and domestically. Instead of listening to the voices from the ground, they continue to rely on outdated and oppressive tactics. The use of fear, harassment, and silent persecution will only deepen the distrust between the people and the state.

We must understand the stakes. This is not just about six canals or a bypass. This is about ownership of our land, our water, our natural resources—and our right to decide our future. Punjab and the Pakistani federation are heavily dependent on Sindh’s resources. We, the people of Sindh, have every right to demand justice, equity, and respect.

The movement we saw in Sindh in recent weeks was a glimpse of the Sindh dreamt of by our martyrs, poets, writers, and thinkers—a Sindh that stands tall, united, and peaceful in its struggle for justice. Naturally, such unity terrifies those in power. And that fear is driving their current crackdown.

But history is clear: every unjust regime eventually collapses under the weight of its own injustice, corruption, and arrogance. The days of ruling through fear are over.

Now is the time for Sindh to stand even stronger. We must publicly support and protect the activists, organizations, and ordinary citizens who are being targeted for raising their voices. They are not criminals—they are heroes. They carry the hopes of an entire nation.

If we allow them to be silenced today, we risk losing the momentum for justice tomorrow.

Sindh is awake. Let us not go back to silence.

Read: A People’s Cry from Sindh

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Originally hailing from Village Dhandhi Hingorja, Tharparkar Sindh Pakistan, Dr. Muhammad Mataro Hingorjo is a Family Physician at Limerick Ireland.

The post A Slow War on Sindh’s Protesters first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Qazi Ali Athar | Karachi

The Council of Common Interests (CCI) is a constitutional body but the decision taken by the CCI regarding the controversial canals is deeply flawed and procedurally deficient.

Under Article 155(2) of the Constitution of Pakistan, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) is constitutionally empowered to take only the following two actions in response to a complaint concerning interprovincial water disputes:

(1) Render a final and binding decision on the matter; or

(2) Request the President to constitute a Commission, which shall conduct a technical inquiry and submit its findings back to the Council for consideration.

The decision rendered by the CCI in this instance is deeply flawed and procedurally deficient. It neither exercised its constitutional mandate to deliver a final verdict on the complaint—such as declaring the proposed canals contrary to national interest, as urged by the complainant—nor did it invoke its authority to recommend the formation of a Commission under Article 155(2).

Read: Awami Tehreek rejects CCI decisions

Instead, the CCI chose an entirely extra-constitutional path by referring the matter to the Planning Division and IRSA, effectively granting them unfettered discretion to proceed with the project subject to a vaguely defined “consensus.” Even more troubling is the fact that the CCI did not stipulate that the matter must return to the Council for final review or ratification once this so-called consensus is achieved.

This decision appears to be a deliberate abdication of constitutional responsibility. It is redolent of bureaucratic maneuvering and raises serious concerns about malafide intent. It undermines the authority of the constitutional forum, sets a dangerous precedent for future water disputes, and compromises the federal balance envisioned by the Constitution.

It’s just a face saver – the usual method of putting things on the shelf  or just temporary measure to calm things down.  

Read: Temporary Fixes, Permanent Injustice

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Qazi Ali Athar, based in Karachi, is a Public Interest Environmental Law Attorney

The post Canal Issue: CCI Decision is flawed first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Hyderabad, Sindh

The Awami Tehreek showing its discontent over the decisions taken by Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Monday, has called upon Sindhi nation to continue its peaceful democratic struggle against the controversial projects of canals and allotting the lands to military-backed companies.

Central President of Awami Tehreek, Advocate Vasand Thari, commenting on CCI meeting, said that the CCI has not rejected the canal projects.

He urged the Sindhi nation to continue its peaceful democratic struggle, emphasizing that the issue of the canals has not been resolved but has instead become even more dangerous.

He stated that the rulers of this country have always ignored the concerns of the people, focusing instead on pleasing their masters. “They show concern over protests, but ignore the anger and discontent of the Sindhi people, whose issues are not being resolved but rather brushed aside.”

“Awami Tehreek had warned from the beginning that if the canal decision is taken to the CCI, Sindh will suffer—and that is exactly what has happened. The newly formed committee is even more dangerous, as it will try to promote canal construction in the name of food security,” he contended.

“The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has once again betrayed the Sindhi nation. In their greed for power, they are ready to stoop to any level. Although no official announcement has been made rejecting the canal projects, in reality, the CCI conditionally approved the canal plan unanimously. The Sindhi people must not be misled by false propaganda—the canal project is still alive, and the Sindhi nation does not accept this decision,” he said.

Thari said, “Nowhere was the word “rejected” or “canceled” used. Instead, a dangerous narrative is being created, similar to the drama staged by the PPP in the 1980s over the Kalabagh Dam. In this new phase, no specific canal has been named, nor has corporate farming been mentioned, which makes the situation even more complicated.”

“The actions of the PPP have consistently harmed the welfare of the Sindhi people, and they continue to use the same failed tactics as in the past. The time has come to expose the lies of those in power, whose words lead only to further exploitation. The people of Sindh will not remain silent and will not allow their resources to be exploited through deceit. The struggle for justice and the protection of Sindh’s resources will continue,” he concluded. (PR)

Read: Anti-Canals Protest Intensifies in Sindh

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The post Awami Tehreek rejects CCI decisions first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Sir,

I write to you not only as a general practitioner living in Ireland, but as a son of Sindh—a historic province in southern Pakistan where one of the world’s oldest Indus Valley civilizations once thrived. Today, I watch in anguish as my homeland rises in a wave of protests and sit-ins, uniting people across every profession and class in a desperate call to save the Indus River—the lifeline of our culture, economy, and existence.

The Pakistani federal government, alongside Punjab province and supported by the military establishment, has launched a controversial plan to construct six massive canals under the “Green Pakistan Initiative.” These canals would divert water from the already depleted Indus to arid lands in Punjab’s Cholistan desert. This is not a small technical project. For Sindh, it is an existential threat.

The Indus is not just a river—it is the only source of freshwater for Sindh’s people and the foundation of our agriculture, drinking water, and ecosystem. Without it, life becomes impossible. The scale of devastation this canal project could unleash is hard to overstate: mass displacement, collapse of farming communities, disease, and famine. If allowed to proceed, this plan may not just damage Sindh—it risks triggering a slow, systematic genocide through economical & ecological destruction, where an entire nation is denied the means to survive in its own homeland.

What is remarkable—and largely unseen in Pakistan’s history—is the scale and unity of the response. Lawyers have launched indefinite sit-ins, professors have closed colleges, farmers and students have joined the streets. This is not a political movement; it is a civil, social, and cultural uprising. And yet, the federal authorities remain unmoved.

We Sindhis are not asking for charity or conflict. We are demanding fairness, sustainability, and the basic right to exist. The world must understand: this is not merely a water dispute. It is a question of life and death, of survival or erasure. A nation without its river is a nation condemned.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Muhammad Mataro Hingorjo

Limerick Ireland

Read – Canal Expansion: A Betrayal of Indus

The post A People’s Cry from Sindh first appeared on Sindh Courier.

After long years of sorrow and pain, the province has a deep realization that Sindh was passing through the bitter colonial system in the name of federation

Dr. Shahban Sahito

The lawyers of the Karachi Bar Association have staged a sit-in at Babrloe bypass against the construction of the six canals and blocked all the routes going to Punjab. This is the first time the lawyers and civil society have blocked the roads. Before this, for four months protests have been taking place against canal construction, but in these four months, the federal government and the Punjab provincial government did not pay heed to the protests. The civil society’s agitation against the canals now has reached at a decisive moment whether the federal government should take the decision of the canals’ construction back, or otherwise, the blockage of the roads to Punjab would continue till revocation is declared by the federal government.

On 18th April, the PPP, the ruling party in the province, also held a big public meeting at Hyderabad against canals, where Bilawal Bhutto criticized the federal government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and demanded to declare that the canals would not be built. Though PPP is also a second large partner of the federal government, it seems both parties have a serious misunderstanding over the issues and policies.

At the outset of the canals issue, there was criticism of the PPP in Sindh by the civil society and political parties of the Sindh that President Asif Ali Zardari had given consent for the construction of the canals. PPP however denied saying that it was just a briefing meeting with IRSA. The PPP has been considered most responsible for compromising the water distribution matters of Sindh etc. It’s also a fact that the PPP has compromised on several issues for the sake of the power in Sindh and share in federal structure. PPP’s policies are said to be dominated by Asif Ali Zardari who is best known for the power-sharing formula to stay in government.

In last seventeen years, the PPP government is surviving in the province only because of the compromise on the province’s autonomy, natural resources, taxes and lands. In the years of the PPP rule in Sindh, the province has collapsed socially and economically. The grievances of the people of the province are greater than before. The law and order situation in the province has deteriorated; there has been rise in extremism and social insecurity, decline of education, while in other social sectors the PPP government has shown a poor performance during last seventeen years. Most people compared the PPP rule in the province with the martial law regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, whose era is known as the darkest chapter of history in Sindh.

After long years of sorrow and pain, the province has a deep realization that Sindh was passing through the bitter colonial system in the name of federation. A province that contributes the largest share of revenue but gets nothing, and the people of the province are being treated as secondary-class citizens in the country. The feeling of alienation is getting stronger, especially among the youth who are frustrated socially.

Now, the new generation does not think of traditional ways of resolving problems; their approach has been radically changed. The old-style political parties do not satisfy their burgeoning interests and desires. They feel stuck and suffocated in the present political and social structure.

The federal structure in Pakistan for 77 years is dominated by a single province Punjab which is extracting the resources of the rest of the provinces. When I discussed the current political issues in class with graduate students they did not hesitate to say that the country is run by the military establishment which is the most powerful institution in the country. Without their assent and consent, no government can stay in power. The new generation has enough experience of recent political upheaval in one decade wherein civilian governments have been toppled and installed. In political terms a ‘hybrid’ system of governments.

The ruling elite should understand the depth of problems and that Pakistan cannot be ruled in a traditionally centralized way. It is high time for the integrity and sovereignty of the country that all matters need to be resolved politically. Otherwise, the cost would be high.

For twenty years, Baluchistan has been burning and the recent insurgency level is so intensive. The establishment wants to repeat the same experience by making a hard state and a hard state is the colonial pattern, not a modern state. Therefore, we should learn from the past.

Sindh is the second largest province in Pakistan and plays a crucial role in providing the country with major share in revenue. Karachi, a bustling port city in Sindh, is vital for the nation’s economy and revenue generation. It is difficult to envision modern Pakistan functioning effectively without altering the mindset of the elite, who often adopt dictatorial policies. The Indus River is essential for the survival of the Sindhi people. Therefore, the construction of additional canals on the Indus River is considered highly detrimental.

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Dr. Shahban Sahito is an Assistant Professor at Department of International Relations, University of Sindh, Jamshoro

Read: Unveiling the Nexus: Power, Crime, and Societal Transformation in Sindh

The post Opinion: Sindh at the Crossroad first appeared on Sindh Courier.

Hyderabad, Sindh

The Awami Tehreek leadership has accused the Sindh and Federal governments as well as the rulers of Punjab of hatching conspiracy to suppress the peaceful democratic struggle of the Sindhi people against the illegal canals and corporate farming projects.

“They want to sabotage the peaceful movement by provoking violence through various means,” the Awami Tehreek leaders said addressing a press conference here on Sunday April 20, 2025.

“The government is responsible for the life and property of every citizen. Despite being fully aware that peaceful protestors are sitting under the open sky at the highways, the Sindh government has failed to make necessary security arrangements,” Central President, Awami Tehreek, Wasand Thari and other leaders said.

They said that Chief Minister of Sindh must be held accountable for this lawlessness and the DIG Sukkur and SSP Sukkur must be immediately dismissed, and urgent security arrangements must be made for the sit-in that continues at Babarloe.

Earlier, an emergency meeting of the Central Council of Awami Tehreek was held at the residence of Rasool Bux Palijo in Qasimabad, Hyderabad. The meeting focused on the ongoing movement across Sindh against the construction of canals and corporate farming.

“For the past three days, I, along with the central leadership and members of Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tahreek, have continuously participated in the protest sit-in by lawyers at Babarloe Bypass. Today as well, Advocate Sajid Hussain Mahesar, Central General Secretary of Awami Tehreek, joined the sit-in along with female members of Sindhyani Tehreek and other party workers. This morning, gunfire was opened at the sit-in. This anti-Sindh, anti-state, anti-constitution, anti-law, and anti-democracy act is highly condemnable,” Wasand Thari said.

He told the media that among those participating in the protest sit-in are innocent children, girls, women, peasants, workers, members of various political and social organizations, writers, intellectuals, poets, journalists, teachers, students, traders, and farmers — none of whom are armed. All are peacefully protesting.”

“Awami Tehreek believes that corporate farming is a critical issue directly linked with the canals. Anyone who only talks about canals but not about corporate farming is hiding the truth. During the tenure of the previous PDM coalition government, the Board of Investment Amendment Bill 2023 was officially passed into law. Projects related to corporate farming, canals, SIFC, and the Green Initiative Pakistan are all part of the Board of Investment Amendment Act 2023. This law is a black law, anti-state legislation. No any patriotic, democratic individual of the country can accept it.”

“The Pakistan People’s Party and other ruling parties must stop their deceptive acts of passing so-called resolutions against canals in assemblies. Reports suggest that federal ministers Rana Sanaullah and Sharjeel Memon have held discussions on the canal issue. Awami Tehreek views PML-N and PPP as two sides of the same coin, and the public does not trust the leadership of either party. The Board of Investment Amendment Act 2023 must be immediately repealed,” he said.

It was also decided in the meeting that workers of Awami Tahreek and Sindhyani Tahreek will actively participate daily in the Bubarloe Bypass sit-in alongside the protesting lawyers.

Awami Tahreek believes that the Council of Common Interests (CCI), where Punjab has majority representation, uses this advantage to decide the fate of other provinces and plunder the resources of Sindh and other smaller provinces. The structure of the CCI should be reorganized based on equal representation.

It was also decided that protest rallies against canals and corporate farming will be held in the following areas:

April 23: Sangi Pharo, April 25: Khor Wah, April 26: Bachal Kaloi, Jhudo, April 27: Moya city, April 28: Dumbalo, Tando Ghulam Ali, April 29: Usman Shah Huri, Tando Allahyar, May 1: Nagarparkar, May 2: Daharki, May 3: Reti, May 4: Shikarpur and May 10: Larkana City. The people of Sindh are invited to participate in these protest rallies.

Furthermore, it was decided that on June 21, a big public gathering against canals and corporate farming will be held in village Mangar Khan near Jungshahi to mark the seventh death anniversary of the great revolutionary leader Rasool Bux Palijo. Patriotic political leaders, social activists, writers, intellectuals, poets, peasants, and labor leaders from all over the country will be invited. (PR)

Read: Indus River: ChatGPT Endorses Concerns and Rights of Sindh

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