Ayaz Latif Palijo, the President of the Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT), has issued a strong warning regarding the potential disruption of the Indus River’s flow towards Sindh.
Speaking at an event in Kambar Shahdadkot on Dec 30, he threatened to block the 700-kilometre road from Karachi to Ghotki if the federal government does not address concerns over the construction of six new canals that could affect water distribution to Sindh.
He emphasized that the river is vital for the future of 70 million people in the province and criticized the government for not resolving ongoing water issues, particularly in regions already suffering from acute shortages like Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal.
Palijo’s remarks reflect a broader sentiment among Sindhi leaders who feel that their water rights are being compromised. He called out prominent political figures, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, questioning whether they view Sindh as an “African desert” due to its water scarcity. His criticism extends to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alleging that it has traded away Sindh’s resources for political gain.
In a related protest, the Sindh United Party (SUP) set up a hunger strike camp in Mirpurkhas against the canal project. SUP leaders accused the federal government of pushing Sindh towards economic destruction and vowed to resist any plans that threaten their water rights, drawing parallels to past successful movements against projects like the Kalabagh Dam.
This ongoing unrest highlights significant tensions surrounding water management and resource allocation in Pakistan, particularly between Sindh and the federal government.