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Friday March 29, 2024

Farmer pleas

By our correspondents
July 22, 2017

During a recent protest held by farmers in Dadu, a farmer could not control his tears and wept uncontrollably. Two decades ago, farmers in Sindh were a prosperous community, but slowly and gradually the grip of big landlords strengthened. With the passage of time, these landlords became bolder and more callous, and even started consuming the water share of owners of small land. The ruthless chopping of trees took a toll on the farmers in the shape of low rain. Thus the 95 percent of population that solely relied on agricultural output continued to descend in the bottomless abyss of poverty.

Many farmers have sold their land and migrated to other areas to search for work. Others are running after elected representatives and chanting slogans in their support while hoping that one day these rulers will shower their kindness and appoint a displaced farmer’s family member on a low paying government job. The rest of the farmers are living miserable lives and peacefully protesting for more than a decade to seek their share of water. If the court takes notice, it is blamed for interfering in executive matters and infringing the powers and authority of the chosen representatives. This sad state of affair has eventually melted the man of mettle.

Gulsher Panhwer (Johi)