Awami Tahreek, Sindhyani Tehreek Stage Mass Rally against Corporate Farming and six Canals on Indus River

Awami Tahreek, Sindhyani Tehreek Stage Mass Rally against Corporate Farming and six Canals on Indus River.

Marches from Rasool Bux Palijo’s Resting Place to Jangshahi City; Leaders Vow to Expand Struggle, Echo Historic 1980s MRD & Anti-Kalabagh Dam Resistance

Jangshahi/Thatta(Press Release) A massive rally was organized by Awami Tahreek and Sindhyani Tehreek from the resting place of revered leader Rasool Bux Palijo to Jangshahi city, with thousands of women, children, and men participating.

Protesters chanted slogans against the construction of six new canals, IRSA’s controversial three-tier water sharing formula, and corporate farming. Demands included an end to illegal land grabs under the umbrella of corporate farming and green Pakistan initiative, stopping water theft from the Indus River, and to halt SIFC to restore democracy.  Ensure Sindh’s rightful share of Indus River water reaches its delta instead of being diverted to Punjab.  Release a minimum of 30 million acre-feet of water annually from Kotri Barrage to revive the Indus Delta and prevent seawater intrusion.  Cancel the unconstitutional three-tier water distribution formula favoring Punjab.  Stop Punjab’s construction of the Cholistan Canal, which steals Sindh’s water and Revoke Cholistan Canal NOC

Lal Jarwa Central Information Secretary, Awami Tahreek stated that IRSA’s fraudulent certificates have enabled Punjab to loot Sindh’s water. The Indus Delta is dying, with millions of acres of land swallowed by the sea. Coastal communities in Thatta, Badin, and Sujawal are forced to abandon their ancestral homes. In these hard circumstances IRSA issues fake certificate for extra water availability to Punjab for Cholistan Canal. IRSA make conspiracy to civil war in the country through this fake certificate. IRSA’s officials must brought into justice according to article 6.

Abdul Qadir Ranto Central Leader accused The PPP has sold Sindh’s water to foreign investors under the umbrella of corporate farming and green Pakistan initiatives for power. President Zardari must revoke IRSA’s anti-Sindh amendments and cancel the six new canals which he approved on July 8, 2024 in green Pakistan initiative meeting—or resign.The Sindhi nation foiled the PPP’s drama on March 25. Bilawal Bhutto fled public anger instead of addressing grievances. PPP’s March 25 drama become flop, PPP perform this drama in favor of the corporate farming and sabotage the Sindhi nation’s struggle against six new canals. But the brave nation defeated PPP’s duplicity like they defeated General Zia, Ayooub and Musharraf’s dictatorships.

They further added that according to 1945 Water Agreement Sindh and Punjab were equal stakeholders (48% each), but Punjab now steals 95% of the water.  1991 Forced Accord Imposed on Sindh, never accepted by its people.  But Punjab does not act this Accord, as it go against all water Accords and laws Punjab also go against the 1991 water Accord which was imposed by it forcefully.

The Indus Delta’s destruction has cost Sindh billions of dollars, displacing millions.

Kashif Mallah  

Central Media Secretary, Awami Tahreek