SANGHAR, Sept 24: Protest demonstrations against the greater Thal canal and Kalabagh dam were held on Wednesday by the Anti-Greater Thal Canal Committee, comprising the Pakistan People’s Parliamentarians, Jamiat-i-Ulema-i-Islam (F), Sindh Tarraqi Passand Party, Awami Tehrik, Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Jamaat-i-Islami.
The rally started from Khebrani. The protesters came in cars, jeeps, pickups and mini-buses.
At the Chatri Chowk, Tando Adam, several leaders, including Nisar Khuhro (PPP), Rasool Bux Palijo (Awami Tehrik), Qadir Magsi (STPP), Azam Jehangir (JUI-F) and Afzal Gujjar (PML-N) spoke against the Thal canal, the Kalabagh dam and President Gen Pervez Musharraf.
Mr Khuhro, who is the chairman Anti-Thal Canal Committee, said that Sindhi leaders would go to every nook and corner of Sindh against “killer projects”.
He said, “Now that all the parties have united, we will not allow generals to destroy the country.”
He said, “The generals are not aware about the feelings of the people of Sindh.”
He said that President Gen Musharraf had started work on the greater Thal canal even before it could be approved.
He said that generals are not giving any weight to our assemblies and public representatives.
Mr Palijo said that the general was ordering around as if Pakistan was his “jagir” and he had “purchased our homes, lands and everything else”.
He further said that during the British Raj, Queen Victoria and Lord Wellington also did not speak like him.
Dr Magsi said that Punjab had already started work on the greater Thal Canal and would soon start building the Kalabagh dam.
He said River Indus is a lifeline for Sindh and vested interests are bent upon cutting it off.
Mr Gujjar said Pakistan was ruled by generals for 36 years.
He said the greater Thal canal is meant for generals and their cronies.
He said the people wanted those generals who did not fall on the feet of Bush and Blair.
Ayub Shar said that for the last 56 years the people of Sindh were being hoodwinked by generals.
Later, the protesters went to Shahdadpur, Shahpur Chakar, Khadro, Chak No22 and Sinjhoro where they held protest demonstrations.
At the time of filing of this report they were headed towards Khipro where arrangements were being made for a large public gathering.