HYDERABAD: Leaders of the Sindh Action Committee (SAC) have decided to launch their second phase of public mobilisation drive on July 4 against Bahria Town Karachi (BTK) and other mega projects, including the Sindh barrage and Zulfikarabad.

They rejected all these mega projects as ‘anti-Sindh’ and described them as an attack on the existence of the province.

The decision was taken at the SAC meeting held under the chairmanship of its convener Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah in Jamshoro on Monday.

The meeting was also attended by Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) chairman Dr Qadir Magsi, Jeay Sindh Mahaz-Riaz leader Riaz Ali Chandio, Awami Tehreek leader Wassand Thari, Awami Jamhoori Party leader Noor Nabi Rahujo, Porhiyat Mazahimat Tehreek leader Masroor Shah,

Jeay Sindh Qaumi Party leader Nawaz Khan Zounr, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz-Arisar chairman Aslam Khairpuri, Jeay Sindh Mahaz-Sarwar chairman Huzoor Bux and others.

Briefing the media about the deliberations and decisions of the meeting, Jalal Mehmood Shah, Dr Magsi, Riaz Chandio and others said they were ready to sacrifice everything for protecting the motherland regardless of the cases being lodged by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government. They said they would not withdraw from advocating the cause of Sindh.

They said the people of Sindh expressed their trust in the SAC leadership in the first phase of the its mobilisation drive. It showed that people would not let anyone commit robbery on the resources and land of Sindh.

They said the second phase would get under way from July 4 during which gatherings would be held in Digri, Jhuddo, Naukot, Mithi, Islamkot, Chhachhro, Umerkot, Kunri, Samaro, Kot Ghulam Mohammad and Mirpurkhas. The second phase would continue till July 10.

The meeting condemned budgetary allocation for Sindh barrage by the federal government and for Zulfikarabad by the Sindh government.

The meeting held Sindh Higher Education Commission chairman Dr Asim Hussain responsible for the destruction of universities in Sindh. It demanded raise in grants for the universities and criticised increase in student fees. The meeting also called for controlling corruption and favouritism in universities.

The meeting condemned inclusion of name of JSM-R chairman Riaz Chandio and its central leaders in the fourth schedule by the PPP government and demanded lifting of the ban on their movement.

It demanded arrest of the deputy commissioners of Jamshoro, Malir and Thatta for illegal allotment of land worth billions of rupees. Their names should be included in the exit control list, they said.

The meeting termed the death of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party leader Usman Kakar a big national loss and said he was a strong voice for the oppressed nations.

It condemned murderous attack on Sindhi Adabi Sangat president Peeral Dhayo and demanded arrest of the culprits.

Qadir Magsi said the real “battlefield” for the rights of Sindh was Karachi where Bahria Town Karachi was being built and all “anti-Sindh” decisions were being taken.

He said the SAC had already declared that they would gather outside Sindh Assembly and they were ready to challenge “the tyrants led by Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who have brought Malik Riaz to Sindh and allowed him to build Bahria Town in their own interest”. He alleged that they wanted to convert Sindhi people into a minority.

Riaz Chandio said the SAC would continue its political activities. The present dispensation led by Asif Zardari and Syed Murad Ali Shah believed in loot and plunder and nobody was allowed to talk about their corrupt practices.

He said the SAC would raise its voice and tell people that it was Asif Zardari and Murad Ali Shah who had given them poverty, hunger and starvation. He said the SAC would move “people’s court” and would not let anyone destroy the history, civilisation and mandate of Sindh.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2021