Awami Tehreek's Press Conference: Sindh's Unyielding Struggle Against Corporate Farming, Canal Expansion, Resource Exploitation, and Colonial Oppression
Chehra WebDesk
Awami Tehreek's Press Conference: Sindh's Unyielding Struggle Against Corporate Farming, Canal Expansion, Resource Exploitation, and Colonial Oppression
Hyderabad, Pakistan: In a powerful and resolute press conference held at the Hyderabad Press Club, Advocate Wasand Thari, the President of the Awami Tehreek, delivered a stern message about the ongoing exploitation of Sindh's natural resources and the looming threats posed by corporate farming and new canal construction projects.
Thari condemned the historical and ongoing domination of Sindh by the rulers of Punjab, stating that Pakistan, since its inception, has never achieved true freedom. For the last 172 years, the people of Sindh have been victims of consistent water theft, as the rulers of Punjab have systematically diverted Sindh's water resources through the construction of new canals each year. The latest betrayal, Thari stressed, is the People's Party's role in selling out Sindh's vital resources, including the Sindhu River, in exchange for political power.
The Awami Tehreek President highlighted the severe consequences of the People's Party’s support for corporate farming and the Sindh Industrial and Trading Corporation (SIFC), which facilitate the handing over of Sindh’s land, water, and resources to foreign investors. Thari affirmed, "The 7 million Sindhi people will never tolerate the selling of our land and river. This is not just about canals; it's about the survival of our land, our culture, and our nation."
Thari warned that if any party attempts to turn Sindh’s peaceful democratic struggle into violence or conflict, they would not have the support of the Sindhi people. He reminded the journalists present that the Sindhi nation has always fought peacefully against military dictatorships, from General Zia-ul-Haq to Musharraf, and this time, too, they would continue their struggle with unwavering resolve.
Thari vehemently criticized the Bilawal-Shahbaz coalition government, accusing them of illegally occupying over 13 lakh acres of land in Sindh and 48 lakh acres nationwide. These lands are being handed over to foreign corporate farming entities under the Green Pakistan Initiative, a scheme backed by military interests. "The establishment continues to support these illegal activities, including the passage of corrupt laws and amendments that benefit only the powerful while suppressing the rights of the Sindhi people," he declared.
He also condemned the widespread attempts to distort the Sindhi people’s will by passing the controversial 26th Amendment, Arsa Amendment, PEKA Act, and the University Act amendments, all of which, Thari asserted, serve to weaken Sindh and promote corporate interests at the expense of local communities. Thari called for the immediate abolition of the One Unit imposed by the SIFC, demanding that democracy be restored, corporate farming projects be terminated, and lands in Sindh be returned to the local landless peasants.
The Awami Tehreek leader reinforced that this struggle is not just about the six proposed new canals but the entire history of exploitation that spans 172 years. He reiterated how the rulers of Punjab have systematically violated international water treaties, including the 1945 Sindh-Punjab Agreement and the 1991 Forced Agreement, further decimating Sindh’s once-prosperous lands and threatening its very existence.
"The water policies of Punjab have led to the devastation of the Indus Delta, once rich in mangrove forests, and have deprived millions of Sindhi people of their basic water needs. Now, with the proposed construction of six new canals, they seek to turn Sindh into a desert," Thari said, adding that these projects serve only the interests of Punjab while devastating Sindh’s environment and economy.
Thari also emphasized the violation of the Government of India Act 1935, which clearly states that no upper riparian state can take water without the consent of the lower riparian state. "Despite this, the establishment and the ruling parties have continuously disregarded Sindh’s rights, especially under the control of Punjab in the Council of Common Interests (CCI)."
He urged the journalists to remember the long struggle of the Sindhi people, which has been supported by writers, poets, artists, and intellectuals across the region. In response to the growing concern over corporate farming and the proposed canals, the public movement has gained momentum, and large-scale protests are scheduled throughout Sindh, starting on April 12, 2025, in Sijawal, and continuing across various towns, culminating in a massive public gathering on June 21, 2025, to mark the seventh anniversary of Rasool Bux Palijo Sahib’s leadership.
Key upcoming events include rallies and protest demonstrations on April 13 in Mithi, April 19 in Tando Bago, April 6 in Qambar, April 6 in Baghahan, April 16 in Johi, May 3 in Larkano, and the World Day of Farmers' Struggle on April 17.
Thari concluded the press conference with a clear and firm message: "We will fight for our water, our land, and our future. Sindh’s freedom is non-negotiable, and we will continue our peaceful democratic struggle until the last breath."
The press conference was attended by central leaders from various movements, including Noor Ahmad Katiyar, Dr. Marvi Sindhu, Abdul Qadir Ranto, Kashif Mallah, Noor Nabi Palijo, Sajida Bhano, Advocate Kainat Dahri, Advocate Ashok Kumar, Advocate Ayaz Saleh Palijo, Sameer Abro, Kamlesh, and others.
