Ayaz Latif Palijo, chief of the Qaumi Awami Tahreek, has strongly criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Punjab Government to apologize to the people of Sindh for depriving them of their rightful share of water through the reported construction of six canals on the Indus River.
Addressing a massive procession in the coastal town of Buhara, district Thatta, on Monday, Palijo said, "It is quite strange that the leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party are also chanting slogans of 'No more canals on the Indus River', while this scheme has been chalked out with their consent."
He emphasized that defeating this flawed scheme would require a persistent struggle rather than a one-time public gathering. "The PPP has been taking advantage of the atmosphere created against the six canals scheme by organized gatherings," Palijo said, adding, "The credit for creating mass awareness against the scheme goes to the leadership of nationalist parties."
Calling the Indus River a matter of life and death for the people of Sindh, Palijo warned citizens not to fall into any trap set against the campaign launched for the river's survival. "The war of the people of Sindh is against those forces that have been depriving them of their resources for years. Plundering Sindh’s water is the height of injustice and atrocity by the Federal Government," he stated. "The issue of water is not political; it is a matter of our lives," he further revealed.
Speaking on the issue of corporate farming, Palijo accused the PPP government of illegally occupying land. "There is no replacement for your own land and resources. Come out for your safe future," he urged, adding that the provincial government is bent on pushing Sindh into darkness.
A large number of growers, civil society members, and supporters of various nationalist parties and groups joined Palijo at the rally.
Experts Warn of Acute Water Shortage in Urban Sindh
Water expert Naseer Memon has warned of an acute water crisis looming over Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh. Expressing concern over public apathy, he urged the people of Karachi to take action for the sake of water and the survival of the Indus River.
Another expert, Shakir Solangi, noted that the PPP leadership was not expecting such a robust public reaction. "The extraordinary response has compelled the PPP to budge from its earlier stance," he said.
Water Scarcity Intensifies in Coastal Sindh
The shortage of water in the coastal areas of Sindh has worsened, forcing residents to purchase water at inflated rates. Cattle owners have also expressed concerns over the declining health of their animals due to a lack of water and fodder. "We have to arrange husk for our cows and buffaloes, but it does not increase the quantity of milk like fresh green grass does," one local resident lamented.