HYDERABAD, Feb 19: The Awami Tehrik's general council at a meeting held here on Friday announced to stage a long march from Sukkur to Karachi from March 1 in protest against construction of Kalabagh dam and greater Thal canal projects and dacoities on waters of the River Indus.

The meeting was presided over by party chief Rasool Bux Palijo. Briefing journalists after the meeting, Mr Palijo said the long march would terminate outside the Chief Minister's House on March 29.

He called upon people of Sindh to participate in the long march because the water issue was related to the entire province. He made it clear that people of the province would not accept construction of dams and canals and would not surrender their rights over the Indus waters.

Mr Palijo maintained that acute shortage of irrigation water had created drought-like conditions in Sindh. He demanded a compensation of Rs800 billion to the province for losses due to water shortage.

Opposing bifurcation of districts in Sindh, he regretted that on the one hand, new districts were being created to please a particular political group and on the other, employment was also being given as a political bribe or being sold out to highest bidders.

He alleged that the Sindh government was in the hands of terrorists and added that history of the country had no precedent of organized corruption that was being witnessed today.

The AT chief observed that withholding of irrigation water, contract system of fishing, kidnapping of judges and their release after payment of ransom, rampant lawlessness and continued excesses against Sindh were aimed at subjugating people of the province.

Lashing out at federal and Sindh governments, he demanded their resignations and fresh general election in the country. Demanding provincial autonomy, he said all departments, except for foreign affairs, currency, communication and interior, should be transferred to the provinces.

He further demanded that the federal government's interference in Balochistan should be ended and the National Finance Commission award be announced on the basis of income generation.

Answering a question, Mr Palijo said although his party did not consider the local bodies system a panacea for all ills, it would nevertheless take part in the local bodies elections. Other party leaders who were present on the occasion included Abrar Qazi, Gul Hassan Kerano, Qadir Ranto, Muhammad Bhurgari and Vishnu Mal.

SPSC: The controller of examinations, Sindh Public Service Commission, Hyderabad, on Friday announced names of successful candidates interviewed by the commission for various posts in the Sindh home department.