HYDERABAD: Many Sindh towns, excepting Karachi and Hyderabad city, remained shut completely and some partially on Wednesday in response to call for strike issued by the Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) in protest against construction of six canals on the Indus River. The party urged the government to roll back the controversial plan and save Sindh, otherwise, the protest would be widened.

A complete strike was observed in Qasimabad and Hyderabad (rural) talukas where all bazaars remained closed while business remained as usual in the rest of the city.

The strike, which was part of STP’s movement against canals launched in October, was also observed in Hala and Matiari for a few hours but shops reopened soon afterwards. Complete shutdown strike was observed in Tando Allahyar and Tando Mohammad Khan districts.

Meanwhile, STP chairman Dr Qadir Magsi claimed in a statement that complete strike was observed across the province on his party’s call to reject construction of the canals on Indus River.

He termed the strike a referendum against the canals project and said it had sent a loud and clear message to powers that be that people wanted the government to shelve this project for good, he said.

In Larkana, a partial strike was observed in the city while STP workers came out on roads and appealed to shopkeepers to keep their businesses closed.

They staged a sit-in at Jinnahbagh gate amid heavy police presence deployed at key points across the city.

Gulzar Soomro, vice chairman of STP, and other leaders told media persons that STP would not allow rulers to go ahead with the construction of canals on the Indus. Today’s strike was a proof of peoples’ reaction against the project, they said and urged the government to roll back the plan and save Sindh, otherwise the protest would be widened.

In Nawabshah, a complete shutdown strike was observed in Shaheed Benazirabad district, parts of Sanghar and Naushahro Feroze districts.

All main markets and bazaars in Nawabshah city were completely shut and traffic remained thin on roads. Markets in Sakrand, Qazi Ahmed, Daur and other adjoining towns also remained shut in response to STP’s call.

In Sanghar, some areas remained closed whereas shops and markets were completely shut in Shahpur Chakar town. Naushahro Feroze observed complete strike.

Local STP leader in Nawabshah, Nisar Keerio, told reporters that they would never allow construction of the canals. The strike had proven that Sindh was united on the issue, he said.

He said the government had no other option then to take back its decision as no anti-Sindh project would event be accepted.

In Mirpurkhas, a complete strike was observed in the city. Markets were completely shuttered and traffic was thin on roads.

The administration had made strict security measures in the city to avoid any untoward incident. Strike was also held in Digri, Mirwah Gorchani, Tando Jan Mohammad, Jhuddo, Naukot, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Jhilori, Shadi Palli, Balochabad, Khaan, Hingorno, Sindhri and Phuladiyyoon towns.

In Badin, a complete shutdown strike was observed in the city and all big and small towns of district. The STP workers took out motorcycle rallies and appealed to traders and citizens to support the strike.

The towns of Golarchi, Tando Bago, Talhar, Matli, Tando Ghulam Ali, Pangrio, Kkoski, Kadhan, Raju Khanani, Shadi Large had remained completely shut since morning while hotels, medical stores, cafes and other shops selling essential items of daily use resumed business in the afternoon.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2024