Sindh is being deprived of water by unfair upstream withdrawals, claims PPP
KARACHI: The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Friday staged rallies across Sindh as part of the second phase of their Marsoon Marsoon, Sindhu Na Desoon (we may die but we will not surrender the Indus) campaign.
The party announced that it would launch the third phase of its protest movement with divisional-level public rallies across the province if “continued injustices” over the distribution of the Indus River’s water are not stopped.
The announcement came during a protest rally led by PPP Sindh president Nisar Khuhro in Karachi’s Lyari area on Friday.
A large number of party workers, including women activists, participated in the rally carrying placards condemning “theft of Sindh’s water”.
Local PPP leaders, including Yousuf Baloch, Javed Nagori, Rauf Nagori and Khalil Hot, also attended the demonstration.
Holds rallies across province against ‘injustices’ in Indus River water distribution
Addressing the rally, Mr Khuhro said the party had organised protests at around 130 locations across Sindh to oppose what it termed the denial of the province’s constitutional share of Indus water.
He warned that if the grievances remained unaddressed, the party would escalate its campaign by holding divisional-level rallies throughout Sindh.
“Water is life. Without water there is no life and we will not allow anyone to deprive our people of their future,” he said accusing the federal government and the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) of failing to implement the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord fairly. He alleged that Sindh was consistently being denied its rightful share while upstream provinces continued to receive preferential treatment.
The PPP leader claimed that water meant for Sindh was being diverted through the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal, Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal and Jalalpur Canal, despite constitutional and legal objections. He argued that the link canals were intended to operate only during flood conditions but were instead being supplied with water on a regular basis, reducing downstream flows into Sindh.
“These diversions are turning Sindh’s agricultural lands barren, damaging crops and inflicting heavy economic losses on the province. Punjab is benefiting at Sindh’s expense by drawing water beyond its entitlement, while Sindh continued to face chronic shortages,” added Mr Khuhro.
He also criticised the construction and operation of the Jalalpur Canal, saying the project remained under consideration before the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and therefore should not have been made operational before a final constitutional decision.
He said that Sindh was under pressure from multiple fronts, Common Interests (CCI) and therefore should not have been made operational before a final constitutional decision.
He said that Sindh was under pressure from multiple fronts, claiming that while India was attempting to restrict river flows by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, the province was simultaneously being deprived of its allocated share within Pakistan through what he called unfair upstream withdrawals.
“If the injustices against Sindh continue, our protest movement will intensify and every division of Sindh will witness mass public gatherings,” he warned.
PPP South district president Javed Nagori addressed the rally, saying that the party would resist any attempt to deprive Sindh of Indus waters.
“Our blood may flow but we will not allow anyone to seize Sindh’s water. The party would fight on every front to protect the province’s legitimate water rights,” he added.
PPP leaders, activists and supporters took part in many rallies and demonstrations held in different cities and towns of Larkana, Qambar, Shahdadkot, Bakrani, Ratodero and Dokri talukas.
Buland Khan Junejo, Khair Mohammad Shaikh, Shahrukh Anwar Siyal, Asadullah Bhutto, Ghulam Rasool Leghari and other senior leaders addressed participants of the Larkana rally at Jinnah Bagh Chowk.
PPP Bakrani Taluka President Tariq Anwar Siyal and Abdul Rehman Jatoi led a separate rally which marched up to the local press club, where the participants held a demonstration.
The party’s Dokri taluka also held a rally which was led by MNA Sardar Nazir Ahmed Khan Bughio, along with Sardarzada Mohammad Ali Amar Khan Bughio, Munir Ahmed Sohu, Advocate Sardar Ali Dino Khan Gadhi and others.
The participants held a demonstration in front of the local press club.
Participants in all the rallies and demonstrations carried banners, placards and party flags. They raised slogans against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and condemned India’s ‘water terrorism’.
They resolved that no compromise of any kind would be made on the Indus water, which they said, “is Sindh’s lifeline”. They vowed to resist any attempt to block flows of the river by anyone. “We are all vigilant and we will not allow anyone to usurp Sindh’s rights,” they said.
PPP Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze and Sanghar taluka and district chapters also organised anti-India rallies and demonstrations outside press clubs of their respective areas.
The main rally in Nawabshah was led by the party’s Divisional General Secretary Javed Nayab Leghari, City President Khan Bahadur Bhatti, General Secretary Syed Atif Hussain Zaidi, Senior Vice President Shahrukh Rashid Bhatti, Mayor Qazi Mohammad Rashid Bhatti, Deputy Mayor Chaudhry Mubashir Arain and others.
A large number of male and female leaders, activists and supporters, including UC chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors attended the rallies.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026
