12 February 2004	Thursday	20 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 11: The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) has begun its fast unto death to pressure the government for stopping construction of the controversial Greater Thal Canal, which the people of Sindh generally believe is detrimental to their interests.

Eleven activists of the JSQM began a hunger strike outside ¨the press club here on Wednesday. The activists were brought to the venue in a motorcade led by JSQM activists chanting slogans against the GTC.

The JSQM chief, Mr Bashir Qureshi, reiterated that the hunger strike would continue until the construction of the GTC was stopped. He said that if condition of any of the volunteers deteriorated or police tried to pick them up, other activists would replace them immediately.

Mr Qureshi, whose party is politically aligned with Muttahida Qaumi Movement, was asked why did he decide to do it alone and why did not his allies join them. The JSQM chief replied that his party was capable to implement its agenda alone.

He said that he had contacted the MQM and added that he had his own organization which was capable to carry forward the process. He appealed to the UN and other such organizations to intervene and protect the rights of the people of Sindh.

Another JSQM leader Abdul Wahid Aresar vowed to continue the peaceful protest but warned that if the people of Sindh were pushed to the wall, they knew how to defend their rights. He was critical of Punjab and emphasized the need for learning lessons from past mistakes.