Awami Tehreek stages protest in Mithi against Corporate Farming and Canal Projects

Mithi
A protest rally was organized by the Awami Tehreek district Tharparkar against corporate farming, six new canals on the Indus River, and the cutting of Karonjhar, starting from the Bypass Road Kandi Stop to Kashmir Chowk. Upon reaching Kashmir Chowk, a dharna (sit-in) was held, which saw the participation of hundreds of people, including women and children. Slogans such as “Stop the cutting of Karonjhar,” “Stop building canals to dry Sindh,” “End corporate farming projects,” and “Stop land grabbing” echoed through Mithi.
The rally was led by central president of Awami Tehreek, Advocate Vasand Thari, central senior vice president Noor Ahmed Katiar, central deputy general secretary Advocate Raheel Bhutto, central leader Lal Jarwar, Abdul Qadir Ranto, Obhayo Junejo, central leader of Sindhyani Tehreek Afsheen Memon, Zahida Lashari, president of Awami Tehreek Tharparkar Advocate Dayal Sahrai, Advocate Dewat Rai, AB Charo, and others.
Speaking on the occasion, the leaders of Awami Tehreek stated that IRSA (Indus River System Authority) has no authority to dry Sindh. By issuing a water availability certificate for the Cholistan project, IRSA has trampled the country’s constitution underfoot. Pakistan Peoples Party is involved in the robbery of the Indus River.
Pakistan Peoples Party has sold out all of Sindh for the presidential seat. By supporting corporate farming, Pakistan Peoples Party has betrayed the trust of the Sindhi nation.
With the support of the Pakistan Peoples Party, the organization SIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council) is occupying Sindh’s lands and resources. On one hand, illegal canals are being built on the Indus River to turn Sindh barren, while on the other hand, historical and cultural sites of Sindh, including Karonjhar, are being handed over to occupying institutions like SIFC.
SIFC is the new face of martial law. After the 26th constitutional amendment, the worst form of authoritarianism has been imposed in the country. Currently, the worst authoritarian rule is established in the name of democracy. In this martial law-era government, the resources and lands of nations are being plundered.
The leaders of Awami Tehreek further stated that Punjab is constructing canals from Sindh’s share of water. This drama must end. They sold the Sutlej River to India back in 1960.
Along with Khursheed Shah, the leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party must stop this drama. In addition to the six new strategic canals, the Cholistan Feeder Canal, Marwat Canal, Rasul-Qadirpur Link Canal, Qadirpur-Baloki Link Canal, Baloki-Sulmanaki Link Canal, Chiniot-Hasilpur Link Canal, two feeder canals, Sulmanaki Barrage, and Bahawalnagar Barrage have been constructed to divert all of Sindh’s water towards Punjab, turning Sindh barren and desert-like.
A conspiracy has been hatched to sell all of Sindh’s water to corporate farming companies, and the Peoples Party is complicit in this conspiracy with Maryam and Shahbaz governments.
The leaders further said that President Arif Alvi had signed the law establishing the SIFC. After being removed from power, they are now staging a fake drama of opposition. Only the people of Sindh will protect the Indus River.
At this time, a broad alliance of Sindhi farmers, laborers, and workers is needed. The people of Sindh will fight to protect their river and will deal with Pakistan Peoples Party in the same way as they did with dictators like Zia, Musharraf, and Ayub.