KARACHI:
Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) staged a protest sit-in in front of Karachi Press Club against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River, followed by a protest rally towards the Empress Market.
Addressing the sit-in, Functional League Sindh Secretary General and GDA’s Information Secretary, Sardar Abdul Rahim, stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has consistently relied on misinformation and lies.
He urged the people of Karachi to resist the new canals being drawn from the Indus River, noting that 85% of the city’s water comes from Keenjhar Lake, which relies on the Indus. Without downstream flow, he warned, Karachi will face a severe water crisis. Citing international warnings about Sindh’s water drying up, he called on Urdu-speaking and other communities to stand with their Sindhi brothers to protect the river and safeguard the city’s future.
Sardar Abdur Rahim declared that the slogan ‘Canals Na Khappay’ (No to Canals) should be raised from Karachi, as when Karachi awakens, the entire country awakens. He remarked that the person they hoped to make Prime Minister was shown on April 4 in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh that he can’t even become Chief Minister there.
He criticised Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, saying he claims to be from Mohenjo Daro, yet even the funds provided by UNICEF for the site’s restoration were misused. They couldn’t develop Gorakh Hill, nor could they provide education or healthcare.
PTI Sindh President Haleem Adil Sheikh said, “Not only Prisoner Number 804 (Imran Khan) is imprisoned, but, we are all locked up – the whole country has become a one big jail.”
Sindh has awakened against the canals. The curses being hurled at a certain individual in Sindh should be enough reason for him to relinquish power. He is a sick man, one whom no one prays for anymore. Zardari had taken the contract to build canals. He also mentioned that the 26th Constitutional Amendment has made the judiciary controversial. He emphasized that the most powerful position in the federal government is held by Zardari.
SUP central leader Syed Munir Haider Shah stated that no country can function on the foundation of injustice. He accused President Asif Zardari of “selling off” the Indus River in a bid to secure the Prime Ministership for his son.
PTI Sindh General Secretary Ali Palh declared that the people of Sindh have delivered a clear referendum against the Zardari League and the PML-N. He alleged that a conspiracy is underway to turn Sindh into a barren wasteland, vowing not to allow the construction of new canals.
