BADIN, May 17: The chairman, Sindh Taraqqi Passand Party (STPP), and the president, Ponam (Sindh chapter), Dr Qadir Magsi strongly protested against granting approval by the ECNEC for the construction of the greater Thal canal terming it illegal, unconstitutional, immoral, and anti-Sindh, which would deprive the small provinces of their rights so as to please Punjab.

He said this while addressing a workers’ gathering at Badin on Friday.

He said that the grievances of the smaller provinces would not be solved till the formation of a constituent assembly based on equal representation from each province.

He said that the Reni canal was also an offshoot of the Thal canal, which too was being constructed to please Punjab.

He was critical of the leaders and parties which gave tactical approval to the presidential referendum.

He said that the turnout in the presidential referendum had not been more than 7 per cent.

He said that the recently-formed National Alliance of Mumtaz Ali Bhutto and Jatoi in the name of a solidarity council was nothing but a product of the rulers.