HYDERABAD, March 9: The Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement will launch a struggle against Kalabagh dam and greater Thal canal projects, army operation and establishment of cantonments in the smaller provinces and usurpation of the oppressed nations' natural resources and rights.

This was announced by leaders of Ponam at a public meeting in Jamshoro on Tuesday night. They also announced that a general strike would be observed on March 31 to protest against what they called excesses committed against smaller provinces.

Speaking on the occasion, Ponam vice-president Mehmood Khan Achakzai said with the passage of time 'martial law' had been strengthened and a few generals were deciding the destiny of the nations. He said justice had become misnomer and therefore, it had become necessary for the nations to take decisions about their future.

Mr Achakzai, who is also president of the Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, said Ponam was not against any nation but it could not allow anyone to deprive the smaller provinces of their rights and interfere into their affairs.

He said the smaller nations would have to launch a relentless struggle because they had the inherent right over their resources. He criticized the army role in politics and demanded that election for a new constituent assembly should be held and all nations be given equal rights.

He also lashed out at the rulers and Punjab for their stubbornness over construction of the Kalabagh dam. Sindh Ponam president and Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi said conspiracies were being hatched against Sindh and the rulers were trying to take possession of the Indus river, the lifeline of people of the province.

He said Sindhis had been left with no option but to fight for their rights. Sindh Thinkers Forum chairman Syed Jalal Mehmood Shah said construction of the Kalabagh dam would ruin Sindh agriculture.

He claimed that a cantonment was also being built near Petaro, adding that establishment of new cantonments was aimed at holding the smaller nations hostage. He said this would not be accepted.

He called upon Sindhis to vote only for those candidates in the local bodies' election who were against the Kalabagh dam. He called upon Sindhis, Balochs, Pakhtoons and Seraikis to observe a complete strike on March 31 against Kalabagh dam and Thal canal projects, establishment of cantonments and the army operation.

Balochistan National Party president Akhtar Mengal said the objective of Ponam was to restore sovereignty of the oppressed nations in their own provinces. SNF leader Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, National Party leader Balochistan Hasil Bizanjo, JSM chairman Syed Zain Shah, Sindh Hari Committee president Azhar Khan Jatoi, Jeay Sindh Qaum Parast Party chairman Qamar Bhatti, Sindh Sagar Party president Azizullah Bohio and others also spoke on the occasion.