Province-wide human chain planned: Protest against disputed water projects
Bureau Report
HYDERABAD, March 27: The Anti-Greater Thal Canal Action Committee has decided to form a human chain from Karachi to Kammu Shaheed on April 30 in protest against the Kalabagh dam and Greater Thal canal projects.
The committee has also decided to take the water case of Sindh to the NWFP, Balochistan and Seraiki belt of Punjab and to approach international financial institutions to urge them not to sanction funds for the disputed water projects.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the action committee held here on Friday evening, which was presided over by its convener and opposition leader in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro presided.
Briefing newsmen, Mr Khuhro said the committee had decided to approach bar councils of the country to present the case of Sindh before them.
The People's Party Parliamentarians provincial chief said the beginning would be made from the Hyderabad District Bar Association on April 5.
He said the human chain would be formed to draw the attention of people and the world to the predicament of people of Sindh due to a shortage of water.
He said the committee would approach the European Union, Commonwealth countries, Arab League, World Bank and UNO to present the case of Sindh before them with a view to persuading them to stop funds for the controversial water projects.
He said the leaders of Balochistan and Seraiki belt had already been contacted in order to enlarge the scope of movement which would be taken to the NWFP in the next phase.
He said Pakistan was already in debt to the tune of Rs38 billion dollars but efforts had been made under Wapda's Vision-2025 programme to borrow additional 56 billion dollars. Mr Khuhro added seven future generations of the country would not be able to pay the huge debt.
He said some unconscionable people performed the role of the enemies of Sindh "to save their employment."
Answering a question about the achievements of the committee, Mr Khuhro said the rulers had been exposed at the national and international level due to its struggle which, he hoped, would ultimately succeed.
Expressing concern over the murder of PPP MPA Abdullah Murad Baloch and insensitivity of the government towards it, Mr Khuhro alleged the act of terrorism was committed under the patronage of the government.
He said such incidents were committed by the establishment to divert the attention of people from the real problems.
He said a crisis of leadership had been created to enable the rulers to perpetuate their rule.
Those who attended the action committee meeting included Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi, Awami Tehrik leader Abrar Qazi, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) leader Maulana Taj Mohammed Nahiyoon, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Afzal Gujjar, Sindh National Front leader Wali Mohammad Jamali, Awami National Party leader Sultan Mandukhel and PPP leaders Abdul Sattar Bachani and Maula Bux Chandio.
