Countrywide Convention announced against Corporate Farming and artificial water scarcity in Sindh
Hyderabad
Preparations are in full swing to commemorate the 7th death anniversary of Rasool Bux Palijo, a renowned revolutionary thinker and a powerful voice for oppressed nations and marginalized communities.
To mark the occasion, a countrywide convention will be held on June 21 in Jungshahi. The convention will highlight growing concerns over corporate farming, the illegal construction of canals, and the exploitation of Sindh’s mineral resources.
Leaders from across the political and civil spectrum have been invited to participate. In recent days, Advocate Vasand Thari, Central President of Awami Tehreek, along with Noor Ahmed Katiar , Senior Vice President, and Advocate Raheel Bhutto, met separately with key figures including Bakhshal Thalho, Federal Secretary of Awami Workers Party, Aliya Bakhshal, Roshan Buriro, Senior Vice President of Sindh United Party, social activists Noor Muhammad Bajir and Kashif Bajir, and other political and social leaders to extend formal invitations to the event.
Speaking during these gatherings, Advocate Vasand Thari strongly criticized the federal government’s recently announced budget, calling it “anti-people and pro-imperialist.” He accused the Shahbaz Sharif-led government of prioritizing projects like Bhasha and Mohmand Dams, for which Rs 32.7 billion and Rs 35.7 billion respectively have been allocated, as part of a broader scheme to cut off Sindh’s access to Indus River water.
He further alleged that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is complicit in what he called “water terrorism” against Sindh. “PPP members voted in favor of this dam-focused budget, effectively signing the death warrant of 70 million Sindhis,” he said, adding that the party’s hunger for power has led to the destruction of Sindh.
Thari emphasized that Rasool Bux Palijo had dedicated his life to protecting Sindh’s water rights and resisting land grabs and resource exploitation. “He was the guardian of the Indus River, who fought the case for Sindh on international platforms,” he stated.
Bakhshal Thalho echoed these sentiments, stating that the budget serves imperialist interests and is harmful to the people. He accused the federal government of ignoring public welfare in favor of elite-driven development models.
Roshan Buriro warned of ongoing encroachments on Sindh’s lands and resources, while Noor Ahmed Katiar pointed out that Sindh suffers billions of dollars in losses annually due to not receiving its fair share of water. “Since 1859, Sindh has been systematically deprived of its water rights. Our agricultural economy has collapsed, and the Indus Delta has been destroyed by federal and Punjab governments,” he stated, warning that the sea is now eroding Sindh’s lands every day.
Thari concluded by stating that the Awami Tehreek will continue its struggle against corporate farming and for the restoration of Sindh’s rights, in alliance with the people. “Rather than increasing the defense budget, the government should invest in education, health, and employment,” he said. He also criticized the budget for benefiting only the Punjab government, while neglecting Sindh’s needs—especially in education where the province already lags behind.
The upcoming convention on June 21 aims to mobilize nationwide support and draw attention to issues of injustice, environmental degradation, and resource exploitation in Sindh, keeping alive the mission and legacy of Rasool Bux Palijo.
