DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The local people showered flowers on the Indus River and danced to the drumbeat to give a message against water pollution.

The event was organised by a literary organisation Sapat Sindhu Salhar on Wednesday. The participants of the event threw flowers in the river to give the message of saving it from pollution.

The event was attended by political workers, civil society members, literati and people from different walks of life, wearing Saraiki Ajrak.

Malik Asif Ali, chairman of Sapat Sindhu Salhar, said on the occasion that the event had been held in the spring for the last 10 years. He said that the Indus was the custodian of the ancient civilisation of Dera Ismail Khan and its water was a symbol of life.

He said that government should install a treatment plant along the river to ensure its protection. He said that government should devise a plan to prevent contamination of the water of Indus.

A protest rally was also held on the occasion against pollution. The participants of the rally reached the river on foot, dancing to the drumbeat.

Meanwhile, a similar walk was organised in Paharpur by Sangha Organisation.

Led by Younas Khan Hout and Amirzada Hout, the participants of the walk threw rose petals in the river.

Talking to journalists on the occasion, the participants of the walk said that residents of Dera Ismail Khan had been observing the ritual on March 23 every year for the last one decade to prevent contamination of the river water.

They said that diseases and epidemics were spreading due to pollution while aquatic life was also in danger due to it. They said that in the past, the river was 14 miles wide but now it turned into a canal.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2022