THATTA: The Awami Tehreek (AT) took out a big rally in Sujawal as part of its ongoing protest campaign against “massive corruption” in Sindh and provincial government’s policy of doling out hundreds of thousands of acres to property tycoons and private housing companies.

The rally was led by Lal Jarwar, Noor Mohammad Katiyar Dildar Leghari and others. Veteran AT leader Dada Abdul Qadir Ranto, speaking to the participants, accused the outgoing Sindh government of having sold away close to one million acres to property and business tycoons in the name of housing schemes.

Other speakers expressed their deep concern over constantly deteriorating law and order situation across the province, declining standard of education, rampant corruption and usurpation of Sindh’s resources.

They also expressed solidarity with Thatta district’s Christian community, saying that its members were repeatedly being targeted by fanatics and criminal gangs.

They noted that the “step-motherly treatment” meted out to Sindh by all successive governments had eventually caused the multiple crises being faced by the province today.

They claimed that “corrupt rulers had been keping an evil eye on the natural resources and historical sites of Sindh”, observing that vast pieces of lands located next to the historical sites of Bhanbhore, Keenjhar Lake etc were also being grabbed whereas unscrupulous elements were bent upon destroying beauty of Karoonjhar Hills in the Thar region.

Condemning Pakistan Peoples Party’s rule and policies as well as those of successive governments at the Centre, the speakers pointed out that the country was currently experiencing worst-ever inflation and the common man was unable to have even two-square meals.

Published in Dawn, September 24rd, 2023