On the occasion of World Rivers Day, Human Rights Unity Foundation organized a protest demonstration against the federal government’s decision to construct six new canals from the Indus River.
The protest was led by Central Chairman Advocate Ilahi Bux Metlo, Central General Secretary Dr. Muhammad Ali Metlo, and Azad Ajeeb Mangi. The demonstration was held on the banks of the Indus River between Lansdowne Bridge and the historic site of Sateen Jo Aastan, where protesters raised strong slogans against the federal decision.
Later, the participants carried out a protest boat rally in the Indus River from Sateen Jo Aastan to Lansdowne Bridge while chanting slogans for the protection of the river and Sindh’s water rights. A large number of students, social activists, lawyers, and citizens participated in the rally. Protesters carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans demanding the protection of the Indus River.
Addressing the gathering, Advocate Ilahi Bux Metlo, Dr. Muhammad Ali Metlo, Advocate Ghulam Nabi Chachar, Advocate Imam Bux Mehr, Mujahid Buzdar, Waheed Ahmed Bhutto, Munir Ahmed Bhutto, Advocate Iftikhar Metlo, Jan Muhammad Bhutto, Abdul Khaliq Mangrio, Muhammad Ali Memon, Akhtar Dargahi, Riaz Sheikh, Azad Ajeeb Mangi, Imam Bux Manwar, Abdul Sattar Zangejo, Ali Nawaz Ruk, and others stated that the Indus River is the lifeline of Sindh and the backbone of its agriculture.
The speakers strongly criticized the federal government’s decision to construct six new canals, calling it a conspiracy to dry Sindh’s water resources. They stated that the move amounts to an attack on Sindh’s constitutional water rights and would severely damage agriculture while causing environmental destruction.
Students participating in the protest also addressed the rally and declared that the people of Sindh would never accept any compromise on their water rights and would continue to raise their voices at every level for the protection of the Indus River.
The speakers warned that additional canals would create severe water shortages in Sindh, directly affecting agriculture and the economy, leading to unemployment for millions of farmers and laborers. They further stated that groundwater levels in Sindh would decline significantly, worsening the shortage of drinking water. Environmental balance and aquatic ecosystems would also be negatively affected due to disruptions in the natural flow of the Indus River.
The protesters emphasized that the people of Sindh are already facing serious water scarcity and that further diversion of water would be an injustice to the province. They demanded that the federal government immediately withdraw the decision to construct new canals and ensure Sindh receives its fair share of water.
The rally participants also called for a consensus-based decision through consultation with all stakeholders regarding fair water distribution, protection of the Indus River’s natural flow, and preservation of environmental balance. They stressed that no new project should be implemented without consulting the people of Sindh.
The protesters warned that if the decision is not reversed, province-wide demonstrations and a stronger protest movement would be launched in the coming days.
