Awami Tehreek Joins Lawyer’s Protest at Babarlo; Sindh Will Not Surrender Its River and Land

Awami Tehreek Joins Lawyer’s Protest at Babarlo; Sindh Will Not Surrender Its River and Land

Babarlo, 18 April: The Central President of Awami Tehreek, Advocate Wasand Thari, along with members of the Sindhyani Tehreek, joined a lawyers’ protest sit-in at the Babarlou bypass. The protest was against the construction of canals on the Indus River without Sindh’s consent.
Speaking at the event, Advocate Wasand Thari strongly condemned the ongoing plans to build six canals, calling it a serious act of water theft. He said this is being done without Sindh’s approval and against the Indus Water Accord. “This is not just about water — it’s about the very survival of Sindh’s people, agriculture, and environment,” he said.
He added that the federal government is trying to hand over Sindh’s fertile lands to powerful corporations under the name of corporate farming. These schemes, supported by undemocratic institutions, will push out local communities and damage the rural economy. “We reject this. These lands belong to the people of Sindh, not to profit-seeking companies,” he said.
Advocate Thari also criticized the recent changes made to IRSA (Indus River System Authority). He said these changes legalize injustice by giving more power to provinces with a majority and denying Sindh its fair share of water.
He also opposed the PECA ordinance, which is being used to silence people who raise their voices online. “This law is being used to crush freedom of speech and hide the truth from the people. It has no place in a democratic country,” he said.
Another big concern he raised was about the formation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). This council, made up of unelected and unaccountable people, is taking over the economic powers of provinces. “This is a direct attack on the autonomy of Sindh and other provinces. It goes against the spirit of the Constitution,” he warned.
Advocate Thari also pointed out that the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which is supposed to represent all provinces fairly, is now being run without proper input from Sindh. “Decisions about Sindh are being made without Sindh. This is not acceptable and goes against democratic principles,” he said.
He ended his speech by saying that the demands of the lawyers are the voice of the people of Sindh — a demand for justice, fair treatment, and the protection of their rights. “We will not allow any canal or dam to be built on our Indus River. This is our lifeline, and we will protect it at all costs,” he said.
The protest was attended by senior leaders and activists of Awami Tehreek, Sindhyani Tehreek, Sindhi Shagird Tehreek, and other civil society members including Noor Ahmed Katyar, Sajid Hussain Mahesar, Advocate Sarwan Jatoi, Naveed Abbas Kalhoro, Ayaz Kalhoro, Shamshad, Rubina Bhatti, Hina Jatoi, Mahnoor Baloch, Sajjad Baloch, Ayaz Saleh Palijo, Zulfiqar Mirani, Aftab Ahmed Phulpoto, Riaz Malik, Faisal Malik, Saroch Sindhi, Saleem Soomro, Umar Ansari, and Sujawal Soomro.
In conclusion, he saluted the lawyers for their courageous sit-in in defense of Sindh’s rights, declaring that Awami Tehreek stands shoulder to shoulder with them in this just struggle — a struggle against exploitation, injustice, and the arrogance of the ruling elite.