Badin-Dumbalo-Tando Ghulam Ali (P.R.) Awami Tahreek organized a protest rally from the Press Club to Digri Road in New Dumbalo, Badin, against corporate farming and the six new canals
Date: April 28, 2025: Badin-Dumbalo-Tando Ghulam Ali (P.R.) Awami Tahreek organized a protest rally from the Press Club to Digri Road in New Dumbalo, Badin, against corporate farming and the six new canals. The rally later proceeded from Dumbalo to Tando Ghulam Ali Press Club. The protest was led by Awami Tahreek’s Central President, Advocate Vasand Thari, alongside district leaders including Mehran Dars, Humero Mal, Sindhyani Tahreek leader Paari Kolhi, Sooraj, Aadrish, Razaq Bozdar, Sarang Sindhi, Habib Kaloi, Nawab Ahmedani, Lalji Kolhi, Aurangzeb Khoso, and others.
The rally demanded Immediate halt of corporate farming projects and redistribution of land to local farmers, Cancellation of fraudulent water availability certificates issued by IRSA (Indus River System Authority) for the Cholistan Canal and all other canals, based on fabricated data, Legal action under Article 6 of the Constitution against IRSA members for conspiring to instigate internal conflict between provinces through fake water certificates. Abolition of oppressive laws, including the Board of Investment Amendment Act 2023 (BOI), PECA Amendment Act, and the 26th Constitutional Amendment. Demonstrators demanded dissolution of the SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council), to restore the democracy SIFC is the symbolizes the “One Unit” system, they said.
Addressing the rally Vasand Thari stated that, according to media reports, the CCI meeting scheduled for May 2 regarding the canals is now being held urgently today, April 28. We want to make it clear that if the CCI decides to cancel the canals only, even then, until the Sindh government withdraws the notification of land allotted to Green Corporate Initiative Private company for corporate farming, our struggle will continue.
Vasand Thari further said that along with the cancellation of the canals, corporate farming projects must also be annulled. The peaceful democratic struggle will continue until the repeal of black laws like the Board of Investment Amendment Act 2023 and the PECA Ordinance.
The Sindh government must end its deception and fraud immediately and withdraw the notification granting 52,713 acres of land to a corporate company.
Our struggle is not just against the canals; this movement will also bury the corporate farming projects along with the canals.
Vasand Thari condemned Punjab’s ruler class’s water theft through the Taunsa-Panjnad and Chashma-Jhelum Link Canals, demanding their permanent closure. He criticized the TP (Taunsa_Punjnand) and CJ (Chashma Jehlam) Link Canals as “flood canals” that exacerbate Sindh’s water crisis, leaving drinking water scarce and crops withering. He reiterated the 1945 Sindh-Punjab Water Agreement, urging the federal government to ensure Sindh’s rightful water share according to 1945 agreement.
Thari accused the PPP (Pakistan Peoples Party) of betraying Sindh by approving corporate farming and the six new canals, labeling President Zardari’s July 8, 2024, canal approval as unconstitutional and illegal. He questioned why the PPP-led Sindh government had not taken legal action against Punjab’s unconstitutional construction of the Cholistan Canal.
Thari denounced police violence against peaceful protests in Sindh, calling it a reflection of the PPP’s fascist tendencies reminiscent of General Zia’s dictatorship. He urged Sindhis to remain peaceful yet resolute in their democratic struggle and to resist propaganda aimed at provoking violence.
Awami Tahreek announced daily protests until demands are met. The AT, alongside the Sindhiyani Tahreek has campaigned for over 2.5 years against corporate farming and canals. Thari vowed that Sindhis would no longer tolerate Punjab’s 172-year-long exploitation of their water resources.
Kashif Mallah
Central Media Secretary, Awami Tahreek*
0348-3228962
0333-2736173
