The rally, part of the “Save Indus River” movement, witnessed a strong turnout in Khairpur, with participants marching from Abal Wah to central Gambat in a united call for action
By Imtiaz Hussain
SUKKUR: Thousands of protesters flooded the streets in Gambat and other cities across Sindh on Friday, staging a massive demonstration against the proposed construction of six canals from the Indus River. The protests, spearheaded by leaders from the Sindh United Party (SUP), JUI-F, GDA, PTI, and the PPP-Shaheed Bhutto faction, accused both the federal government and the PPP of conspiring to divert water away from Sindh, threatening the province’s resources and livelihood.
The rally, part of the “Save Indus River” movement, saw a significant turnout in Khairpur, with participants marching from Abal Wah to central Gambat. Led by Syed Zain Shah, Allama Ayaz Qumi, Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro, and others, the crowd chanted slogans condemning what they described as the “robbery of the Indus” and the PPP’s alleged role in facilitating the canal project.
SUP President Zain Shah claimed that half of the canals had already been completed, with gates installed, warning of strong resistance if the project moved forward. “The PPP has struck a deal on the Indus,” Shah declared. “But today, thousands have awakened to reclaim their river.”
JUI-F leader Rashid Soomro took a firm stand, calling the canal project a betrayal of Sindh. He issued a challenge to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stating, “Even if Bilawal renounces the project, I will shower him with rose petals—but only after PPP walks out of government.”
In contrast, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah defended the PPP’s position, insisting that the Punjab-led canal plan was unconstitutional and lacked approval from the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Speaking in Sukkur, he stated, “The PPP will not allow the construction of illegal canals,” and dismissed IRSA’s January water availability certificate as “misleading and irresponsible.”
Meanwhile, Junior Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of PPP-Shaheed Bhutto, speaking in Larkana on the 46th death anniversary of his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, accused unnamed PPP leaders of betraying Sindh. He passionately remarked, “The Indus River is our backbone. These canals will divide us, but we will not allow that. They took our mountains, animals, and soil. Enough is enough—let Sindh live.”
The growing, multi-party mobilization against the canal project has sparked further calls for protest, with JUI-F announcing a sit-in along the Indus River on April 6, and PTI planning rallies in Hyderabad and Karachi. This wave of opposition marks a rare moment of unity in Sindh politics, as various political factions unite in their fight to protect the province’s vital water resources, which they argue are essential for the survival of the land, its livelihood, and its people.
