HYDERABAD, June 29: The Seraikistan Qaumi Movement (SQM) on Saturday supported the struggle of the Anti-Thal Canal Action Committee against the construction of the greater Thal canal.

Speaking at a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club, the chief of the SQM, Hameed Asghar Shaheen, along with the chairman, Sindh Taraqqi Passand Party, Dr Qadir Magsi, stressed the need for taking the movement to the Seraiki belt of Punjab.

They, however, made it clear that the two parties would certainly launch a struggle in the Seraiki belt, and added that the Thal canal project would have to be rejected to save the federation.

Hameed Asghar Shaheen claimed that before the construction of the barrages, 175 MAF water was available in the Indus River but due to different water schemes launched by the rulers, Sindhi and Seraiki people were facing an acute shortage of water.

He criticized the utterances of the Punjab irrigation minister, Aamir Sultan Cheema, who has branded Sindhis as “the agents of the Hindu lobby,” and added that the entire administration was trying to protect Mr Cheema.

He said that it was not only the question of the Thal canal as seven other small and big dams were also in the pipeline.

HESCO: Power consumers of Doctors’ Colony, Pathan Colony, Millat-i-Islamia Colony and Mirs Tombs held a protest demonstration outside the press club here on Sunday against Hesco.

They raised slogans against the SDO of Sarfaraz sub-division, Sohail Shaikh, and line superintendent Sanaullah for misbehaving with consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, Ghulam Rasool Memon, Muneer Ahmad Channa, Shaukat and others said electricity consumers were being issued detection bills.

They alleged that the SDO and the line superintendent were involved in corrupt practices.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...