Daharki: Thousands of citizens—including women, children, and grassroots activists—gathered in Daharki today to join a mass rally organized by Awami Tahreek, raising their voices against corporate farming, water theft, and the growing lawlessness in upper Sindh. Led by Awami Tahreek’s Central President, Advocate Wasand Thari, the rally featured passionate speeches by prominent leaders including Noor Ahmed Katiyaar, Mushtaq Ahmed Chachar, Advocate Sarwan Jatoi, and Sindhiyani Tahreek representatives Shamshad Baper and Advocate Kausar Phulpoto. Protesters marched through the streets chanting powerful slogans: “Cancel all land lease agreements!” “Halt illegal canal projects!” “End corporate farming!” “Dismantle SIFC!” and “Stop lawlessness now!” Our Correspondent
The demonstration marked a critical moment in Awami Tahreek’s long-standing opposition to the federal government’s Green Pakistan Initiative, which the party has consistently criticized as a “death warrant” for Sindh’s indigenous farmers. Since 2023, the party has carried out a wide-ranging campaign including protests, hunger strikes, press conferences, and inter-provincial conferences to mobilize public resistance.
Addressing the rally, Advocate Thari condemned the initiative as a veiled attempt to dispossess native communities of their lands, water, and cultural heritage. “Corporate farming is not progress—it is a catastrophe for Sindh’s small-scale farmers,” he said. “Under the guise of ‘Green Pakistan,’ our resources are being handed over to corporate giants, displacing communities and destroying livelihoods.”
He also shed light on the worsening water crisis in Sindh, accusing the federal government of diverting Indus River water to Punjab through controversial canal projects. Quoting official data, Thari revealed that while the Sukkur Barrage should receive 35,000 cusecs today, it currently receives only 23,390 cusecs—a shortfall of 33 percent. “Meanwhile, water is being hoarded in Tarbela and Mangla dams, and thousands of cusecs are being diverted through link canals to Punjab’s Jhelum-Chenab zone,” he added.
Thari criticized the Council of Common Interests for failing to block these contentious projects and denounced Sindh’s Chief Minister for settling for mere “strong recommendations” from ECNEC instead of demanding full cancellation. “This is a betrayal of Sindh’s people,” he declared.
Awami Tahreek’s Central Vice President, Noor Ahmed Katiyaar, drew attention to the deteriorating law and order situation in northern Sindh, particularly in Kashmore, Kandhkot, Daharki, and Ghotki. “Even in the shadow of one of Pakistan’s largest military cantonments, fear rules,” he said. “Highways are shut after dark, and armed gangs operate with impunity, often protected by feudal lords and elements within the establishment.”
Katiyaar also highlighted increasing violence against women and minorities—especially Hindus—citing the recent abduction of Pirya Kumari by individuals linked to the ruling PPP as emblematic of systemic injustice.
Sindhiyani Tahreek’s central member, Ms. Shamshad Baper, condemned the silence of the Shehbaz-Bilawal coalition government, calling it an injustice to the people of Sindh. She announced the launch of an “Awakening Whistle March”—a province-wide awareness campaign running from May 15 to June 15—to mobilize communities against the federal government’s anti-people policies and advocate for the rights of farmers, women, and minorities.
The rally concluded with a united call for national solidarity. “The struggle to defend Sindh’s land, water, and dignity is not ours alone—it is a fight for every Pakistani who believes in justice,” Thari declared.
