Islamabad – The Great Democratic League (GDA) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) sat outside the Karachi Press Club on Sunday and led a rally to Queens Market to oppose the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus.
The heads of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir unveiled the ambitious Hollistan project aimed at irrigating the land in South Punjab on February 15 in public uprising and strong reservations in Sindh Province.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Provincial Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution against the construction of six new canals on the Indus in March, demanding that any plans, activities or work be stopped immediately until an agreement is reached with all provincial governments.
During the protests on Sunday, Sardar Abdul Rahim, secretary general of Sindh province and information secretary of GDA, said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) “always rely on falsehood and deceptiveness”.
“The entire Sindh province from Karachi to Kashmore is protesting against the canal project, and the unrest has spread throughout the region,” he said. “Those who are interested in Sindh have become curses in the eyes of the people.”
He called on the people of Karachi to illegally extract water from the Indus through these canals, warning: “Karachi received 85% of the water from the river, without downstream flow, and water supply to the city would be impossible”.
“International organizations also warn that the water resources in Sindh are drying up,” Rahim said. “The Urdu and other language-speaking residents of Karachi must unite with their Sindh brothers to save the Indus.
“We are very worried. Karachi will be severely affected.” “The slogan 'no canals, no dungeon' should echo from Karachi. If Karachi rises, the whole country will wake up.”
He criticized PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who dreamed of getting his prime minister to see on April 4 at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, who was not even sure of the Chief Minister's seat.”
He added: “Double Laval claims to be from Mohenjo Daro, but UNICEF's funds for its preservation have also been misappropriated. These people failed to develop Gorakh Hill, failed in education, failed to provide health care.”
Bilawal said at a rally held in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on Friday that he was the first to raise his voice to the canal project, adding that the party expressed frustration with the federal government at a meeting of the Central Executive Committee in January.
“I said we wouldn't allow this project to happen… PPP said it does not support this unilateral decision,” Bilaval said. “Even in a joint lecture in the Senate he opposed the unilateral decision of the government because they have caused harm to the federal government.”
“Not only prisoner No. 804 (the founder of the party) Imran Khan) was imprisoned, but we are all.”
He added: “Sindh has opposed the canal project.”
Sheikh accused President Asif Ali Zardari of “built the canal by deceiving himself” and added: “The judiciary has been controversial due to Chapter 26 constitutional amendment. Zardari has the most powerful position in the federal government.”
Aamir Nawaz Warraich, chairman of the Karachi Law Committee, said: “We have passed a resolution against illegal canals built on the Indus. These canals are completely illegal.
“If Pakistan is to be preserved, the canal project must be cancelled. Otherwise, the stability of the country will be at risk. Protests from the legal community will continue in Sindh until the notice is withdrawn.”
“The lifeline of Sindh has been taken away. Zardari has obtained approval from these canals on the Indus and now the PPP has shed tears in the crocodile tears.”
