By Mujeeb Rahman Qambrani
MEHAR: Activists from the Awami Poorhit Tehreek held a three-kilometer protest march in Mehar against the proposed division of Sindh, the construction of canals on the Indus River and shortages of irrigation water, as well as what they described as the exploitation of the province’s resources.
The march, led by Adnan Makhdoom Mahesar, Advocate Aazam Khaskheli, Advocate Rahim Bakhsh Bughio, Advocate Punhal Khoso, Mashooq Ali Chandio, Saleem Khoso and Asad Rind, began at Ghanta Ghar Chowk and ended at the National Press Club Mehar via Dua Hath Beto Chowk.
The protest was also attended by Shamsuddin Solangi, a primary school teacher and father of missing child Ujala Parveen Solangi, along with Awami Jamhoori Party leader Advocate Saeed Panhwar and other political and social activists.
The protesters called on the government to immediately withdraw plans for the division of Sindh and the construction of canals from the Indus. They said people in the province would resist any move they believed threatened Sindh’s water, land or other resources.
The leaders also demanded the recovery of missing children, including Ujala Parveen Solangi and Priya Kumari. They said four months had passed since Ujala was allegedly abducted but there had been no breakthrough in tracing her.
They accused the authorities of failing to adequately address cases involving missing children and said the uncertainty was causing severe distress for their families. They called for the immediate recovery of all missing children.
The protesters also criticized rising petrol and essential commodity prices, saying inflation had placed an increasing burden on poorer households. They highlighted water shortages, unemployment and lawlessness as major problems facing people in Sindh.
The leaders urged the government to address what they described as growing public grievances and to protect the province’s rights and resources. They warned that protests would be expanded if their demands were not addressed.
