PPP protests across Sindh against canal project threats

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) organized protests across Sindh on Tuesday against a new federal plan to build canals from the Indus River. Party leaders argued that the project threatens the province’s water resources and agricultural sustainability. They demanded that the plan be stopped immediately. Thousands of people participated in rallies, which took place in various towns, from Larkana to Thatta. They filled the streets, carrying banners and chanting slogans against what they called the 'anti-Sindh' initiative. PPP leaders, who are part of the federal government, accused Islamabad of trying to make Sindh barren by diverting its water to other regions. In Karachi, a significant rally was held outside the Karachi Press Club, where leaders like Mian Raza Rabbani and Waqar Mehdi addressed the crowd. They highlighted severe water shortages in coastal areas like Sujawal and Badin, where rising sea levels have already damaged farmland. Raza Rabbani warned that if the canals are built, it could lead to widespread starvation and displacement in Sindh. PPP leaders stated that the project is not only a water issue but one affecting the entire province. They referred to the Indus River as vital for the region, calling for a united effort against the canal project. This sentiment was echoed in other rallies across different districts. In Thatta, a large protest led by PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro included a sit-in at a bridge. Khuhro stated that this movement is about the survival of the people and the land, drawing parallels to previous protests against other water projects in the region. The PPP has vowed to continue its campaign against the canals project, especially in light of the upcoming anniversary of the party's founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.