The Pakistan People’s Party convened rallies and demonstrations across Sindh to protest against the new Indus canals.
The party believed that this step would barren Sindh and leave people and Sindh in awe.

PPP stages rallies across Sindh:

PPP arranged a massive rally across Sindh. It warned the federal government to reconsider its policy. It also said that the construction of new canals can stop Sindh’s water supply. In addition, it also affects Sindh’s agriculture. The PPP leaders forced the government to stop implementing its plan.

Thousands join the protests:

People from all walks of life joined the protests in cities and towns across Sindh. Crowds held banners and chanted slogans from Larkana to Thatta to protest against the controversial project. PPP leaders accused Islamabad of diverting Sindh’s water to other regions. They claimed the plan would make Sindh’s land barren and leave millions struggling for survival.

Leaders condemn the project:

The Pakistan People’s Party leaders condemned the idea of constructing further canals in Sindh. Senior leaders highlighted the severity of the water crisis in the coastal areas of Sindh. Raza Rabbani said, “If these canals are built, Sindh will become a desert. Millions will face hunger and displacement.” He called the project a ‘death sentence’ for Sindh and warned that it would destroy fertile land and livelihoods.

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Waqar Mehdi questions the Federal Government’s intentions:

PPP leader Waqar Mehdi said that the Pakistan People’s Party believes in a strong federation. However, the federal government’s plans and actions are not in harmony and are harming the country’s integrity. He said, “We have the CCI to resolve such issues. Why is the federal government avoiding its meeting?”

Larkana joins the protest:

In Larkana, a large rally moved from Zulfikar Bagh to Jinnah Bagh, joining the province-wide demonstrations. PPP leaders Khursheed Junejo, Nazir Bughio, and Jamil Soomro participated in the march. Protesters carried banners that read “No More Canals on River Indus.” Khursheed Junejo and Jamil Soomro stressed that Sindh’s water reservoir issue is not a political concern. However, it is a matter to be focused on. The leaders vowed to intensify the protest after the April 4 anniversary of PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s execution.

Demonstrations in other districts:

Protests were also held in Qambar, Shahdadkot, Ratodero, Nawabshah, Sanghar, and Naushahro Feroze. In Nawabshah, PPP’s district president, Saalim Zardari, led a rally from the People’s Secretariat to the local press club. Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, Ghulam Qadir Chandio, Chaudhry Javed Arain, Ali Akbar Jamali, and Qazi Rasheed Bhatti addressed the crowd.

Massive sit-in in Thatta:

In Thatta, PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro led a major rally. Thousands of people from the Thatta and Sujawal districts participated. Protesters gathered at the Doolah Darya Khan Bridge and staged a sit-in. Nisar Khuhro compared this movement to the one against the Kalabagh Dam. He declared, “Sindh stopped Kalabagh Dam, and we will stop these canals too.”

Nisar Khusro alleged that the federal government did not ponder over Sindh’s affairs. He also added, “This protest is not just about canals. It is about the survival of our people and our land.”

PPP’s strong stand against the canals:

The Pakistan People’s Party made it clear that they would never allow the construction of more canals. The PPP leaders, however, criticized the federal government for trying to convert Sindh’s land into barren land. Nisar Khusro said, “We will not let Sindh’s water be stolen. It is a movement to protect our province, and we will fight until justice is served.”