KARACHI, July 25 : The Sindh chapter of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has warned that it will expand its protest movement across the province if what it calls "continued injustices" over Sindh's water share are not addressed.
The announcement came during a protest rally led by PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro in Lyari against the alleged "theft" of water from the Indus River. The rally, held under the slogan "Marsoon, Sindhu Na Desoon" (We may die, but we will not surrender the Indus), began in Musa Lane and ended at Lyari Gate, local media reported.
A large number of PPP workers, including women, participated in the demonstration along with party leaders such as Yousuf Baloch, Javed Nagori, Rauf Nagori and Khalil Hoath. Protesters carried placards and raised slogans demanding protection of Sindh's water rights.
Addressing the gathering, Khuhro said the party would begin the "third phase of its protest campaign" by organising divisional-level public rallies across Sindh if the alleged water injustices continued,The news International reported.
He claimed that protests were held at "130 locations across Sindh" on Friday and stressed that "water is essential for life and no one will be allowed to deprive people of this basic right."
Khuhro alleged that Sindh was being denied its share of water under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and claimed that water was being diverted through canals including the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal, Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal and Jalalpur Canal.
He described the continued operation of these canals as "unconstitutional", alleging that it was harming Sindh's agriculture and threatening the province's fertile lands.
Khuhro also criticised the federal government and the Indus River System Authority (Irsa), accusing them of failing to ensure fair water distribution among provinces.
He said water shortages had badly affected crops and caused economic losses in Sindh, warning: "The PPP will never allow any conspiracy to strangle the Indus River and, in turn, the economy."
Referring to the Jalalpur Canal project, Khuhro said the issue was still pending before the Council of Common Interests (CCI), but water had already been released into the canal, which he termed an unconstitutional step, The news International reported.
PPP District South President Javed Nagori also addressed the rally and said: "Our blood may flow, but we will not allow anyone to seize our water."
The PPP leadership warned that if Sindh's concerns over water distribution were not resolved, the party would hold large-scale public gatherings in every division of the province. (UNI)
