‘Unjust decisions bygovt could triggerunrest in Sindh’

KARACHI/HYDERABAD:

There will be a province wide protest on March 14 (Friday) against the construction of the six new canals on the Indus River.

Addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, the leaders of the Save Indus River Movement (SIRM) said that the project was ‘unconstitutional’. They urged the rulers to act sensibly, halt the new canals projects, and save the state. Syed Zain Shah, Dr Safdar Abbasi, Sardar Abdul Rahim, Nasrullah Channa, Masroor Sial, and Khadim Talpur addressed the press conference.

They warned that if Sindh’s rights were taken away, a movement even stronger than the MRD (Movement for the Restoration of Democracy) would begin. They cautioned that unjust and unfair decisions by the government could lead to violent unrest in Sindh.

They also rejected President Asif Ali Zardari’s statement in the joint session of Parliament, demanding PPP withdraw from the federal govt. Instead of vague statements, President should revoke the notification approving the new canals, they said.

Nationalists express doubts

The statement of President Asif Ali Zardari in the parliament’s joint session opposing construction of six new canals on the Indus River is being looked askance by the nationalist leaders in Sindh.

Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi termed it a result of the public pressure. Jeay Sindh Mahaz Chairman Riaz Ali Chandio blamed the president for misleading the people. Qomi Awami Tehreek leader Ayaz Latif Palijo said the protests should go on until the president and PM Shahbaz Sharif announce shelving of the project.

Awami Tehreek President Advocate Vasand Thari believed that the President Zardari’s anti-canal statement is a mere political demagogy.