KARACHI, June 16: The founding chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, on Monday demanded of the prime minister to get the work on the greater Thal canal project stopped immediately and convene a round table conference to address serious reservations of the people of Sindh.

Addressing the MQM coordination committee and other party workers at Nine Zero on Sunday night, Mr Hussain also referred to a resolution adopted by the provincial assembly on the issue. He said that MQM had always strived for the rights of the people of Sindh, which was evident from the unanimously passed resolution on Thal canal project.

Mr Hussain said that the government should not spend huge expenditure on Thal project, instead the amount should be used for improving the quality of life in Sindh.

He regretted that the Thal project was not going to benefit the people of Punjab, but the establishment.

Mr Hussain said that he had no objection if every nook and corner of Punjab was irrigated, however, the people of Sindh had the right to ask whether they were not Pakistanis. Why their province was being made barren through such schemes, he remarked.

He emphasised that the MQM was part of the coalition, but that did not restrict them from raising their voice on the issues.

Later, he directed the party members to raise the issue at all appropriate forums.