Nationalists hold rally in Sukkur against six canals, IRSA Act, corporate farming

SUKKUR: A large rally was taken out by Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek in Sukkur against construction of six new canals on Indus River, IRSA Act Amendment, and corporate farming.

The rally began at the Sukkur Hockey Ground and culminated at Ghanta Ghar Chowk, where a large public gathering was held.

The demonstration was attended by a large number of people, including women, children, youth, writers, poets, and political and social leaders.

The rally was led and attended by Advocate Vasand Thari, Central President of Awami Tehreek, Umra Samo, President of Sindhyani Tehreek, Farooq Tariq, General Secretary of Pakistan Kissan Rabta Committee, Ghulam Mustafa Chandio, Central President of Sindhi Hari Tehreek and other prominent leaders of different nationalist parties of Sindh.

Addressing the participants, the nationalist leaders strongly criticised the Pakistan People’s Party and President Asif Ali Zardari for approving the construction of six canals on the Indus River, which they described as a conspiracy to turn Sindh into a barren desert.

Advocate Vasand Thiri said, “The approval of these canals is an existential threat to Sindh and its people. It is an unconstitutional attack on the rights of Sindh.”

The nationalists said that Sindh’s resources, land, and water are being sold under the guise of development, further displacing the local population.

They also condemned the IRSA Act Amendment, claiming it allowed resources to be diverted away from Sindh for projects like Cholistan, depriving Sindh of its rightful share of water.

The Awami Tehreek accused the PPP of compromising Sindh’s interests to secure political gains, including elevating PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to higher political offices.

“The hunger for power has turned Sindh into a battleground, and the PPP has betrayed the people by selling their land and water,” said one of the speakers.

The nationalists also raised concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh.

They alleged that bandits, with the support of local authorities, had created a state within a state, terrorising residents with illegal weapons and violence.

Tribal disputes, fueled by political agendas, were described as a deliberate effort to destabilise the province further, they added.

The rally called for the immediate cessation of canal construction, the repeal of the IRSA Act Amendment, and strict action against corporate farming projects that threaten Sindh’s agricultural heritage. The rally concluded with a unanimous resolution to continue resisting any project or policy that undermines the sovereignty and resources of Sindh.