HYDERABAD, April 7: A commission, headed by a retired judge of the apex court and comprising water experts and representatives of all the provinces, should be constituted to resolve water disputes.

This demand was made at a public meeting held in connection with “Yaum-i-Madr-i-Watan” celebrations in Qasimabad here on Sunday night.

The meeting further demanded that in view of the continued water shortage in Sindh, which had destroyed the agriculture sector, growers should be exempted from paying agricultural taxes, land revenue and water charges for three years.

It called upon the government to provide interest-free loans to growers which should be recovered in instalments after three years.

The meeting condemned the US and its allies for attacking Iraq and criticized the UN for not taking notice of violations of human rights.

It was of the opinion the US had attacked Iraq to take over possession of its oil resources and impose hegemony of Israel over the region.

It said the US had set a worst precedent to resolve issues through aggression and in defiance of wishes of the world community.

The meeting also condemned the genocide of Palestinians by Israel, saying Israel was the biggest terrorist.

Calling for shelving the greater Thal canal project, the meeting deplored that work on the project was continuing despite protest by Sindhi people and MPAs on the Sindh Assembly floors.

It also demanded the closure of the Chashma-Taunsa Link Canal.

About the Legal Framework Order, the meeting said it was a joke with the Constitution and democracy and an attack on the supremacy of the parliament.

Demanding equal rights for the provinces, the meeting said Sindhi, Balochi, Pustho and Punjabi should be made official languages in their respective provinces.

Earlier, speaking at the meeting, Sindh Tarraqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi said the time had come for Sindhi people to differentiate between traitors and patriots so that the rights of the province could be protected.

Pakistan Oppressed Nations Movement acting president and Pukhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the oppressed nations would continue their struggle till provincial autonomy was restored.

Balochistan National Movement leader Dr Abdul Hayee said Balochistan had suffered a great deal due to the Afghanistan war.

A Seraiki leader, Hameed Asghar Shaheen, said the recent massacre of 16 people in Kashmor was a conspiracy of what he called powerful elements to enslave the oppressed.