Awami Tahreek Condemns Corporate Farming, Water Theft, and Lawlessness in Powerful Daharki Rally
Awami Tahreek Condemns Corporate Farming, Water Theft, and Lawlessness in Powerful Daharki Rally
Daharki, May 2, 2025 — Awami Tahreek stands united with the people of Sindh in rejecting the anti-people policies of the Shehbaz-Bilawal government. Today, thousands of citizens—women, children, and civil society members—joined our rally in Daharki to demand an end to corporate farming, water theft, and the rampant lawlessness that threatens our communities. Led by Advocate Wasand Thari, Central President of Awami Tahreek, alongside Noor Ahmed Katiyaar, Mushtaq Ahmed Chachar, Advocate Sarwan Jatoi, and Sindhiyani Tahreek leaders Shamshad Baper and Advocate Kausar Phulpoto, the rally echoed with powerful slogans: “Revoke the illegal canal projects,” “End corporate farming,” “Abolish SIFC,” and “Stop Lawlessness.” This is a movement for justice, and the people of Sindh will not be silenced.
Corporate Farming: A Death Warrant for Farmers
The so-called Green Pakistan Initiative is a betrayal of Sindh’s farmers. From the day it was launched, Awami Tahreek has fought this scheme through rallies, hunger strikes, press conferences, traditional gatherings, and inter-provincial conferences. Advocate Wasand Thari declared, “Corporate farming is a death warrant for indigenous farmers. It strips our people of their greenery, water, and ancestral lands, handing them over to corporate giants under the guise of environmentalism.” This initiative threatens the livelihoods, autonomy, and heritage of small-scale farmers, displacing them to favor large agribusiness interests. We demand its immediate revocation.
Water Theft: Turning Sindh into a Desert
The Indus River, the lifeline of Sindh, is being exploited to the point of collapse. Advocate Thari exposed the government’s reckless water policies: “It’s not rocket science—new canals will divert water from the existing system, leaving lower riparian regions, especially Sindh, in crisis.” Sukkur, entitled to 35,000 cusecs of water for its canals, is receiving only 23,390 cusecs—a 33% shortfall. Meanwhile, Tarbela and Mangla Dams are hoarding water, and Punjab’s Jhelum-Chenab zone is drawing thousands of cusecs through link canals. If this continues, Sindh risks becoming a desert. We condemn the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for failing to reject these harmful projects and call out the Sindh Chief Minister’s weak response in merely seeking “recommendations” from ECNEC. The people of Sindh deserve better—they deserve action.
Lawlessness: Organized Chaos in Upper Sindh
Upper Sindh is gripped by fear, and the government has abandoned its people. Central Vice President Noor Ahmed Katiyaar stated, “In Kashmore, Kandhkot, Daharki, and Ghotki, lawlessness reigns even near Pakistan’s largest military cantonment. Citizens are confined to their homes after sunset, highways are closed at night, and bandits rule under the protection of feudal lords and elements within the establishment.” Women and religious minorities, particularly Hindus, face violence, abductions, and forced displacement. The abduction of Pari Kumari by PPP-linked feudal lords is a chilling symbol of the state’s failure. The government’s silence is not just negligence—it is complicity. We demand justice for Pari Kumari and an end to this organized chaos.
Awakening Awareness March: Mobilizing Sindh
The fight is far from over. From May 15 to June 15, the Sindhiyani Tahreek will lead an “Awakening Awareness March” across every city and village in Sindh. This campaign will expose the anti-people policies of the federal government and rally the public to defend their rights to water, land, and security. We call on every citizen to join us in this movement for justice and dignity.
A Call to the People of Pakistan
The Daharki rally is a testament to the resilience of Sindh’s people. Awami Tahreek stands firm in its commitment to protecting our farmers, our water, and our communities. This is not just Sindh’s struggle—it is a fight for every Pakistani who believes in fairness and justice. We urge the government to halt corporate farming, stop water theft, and restore law and order. The people of Sindh will not rest until their voices are heard and their rights are restored.
