DADU: Followers of veteran Sindh nationalist leader G.M. Syed commemorated his 31st death anniversary at a well-attended gathering near his grave in Sann town of Jamshoro district on Saturday.

Leaders of the Sindh Rahbar Committee, including JSM-R Chairman Riaz Ali Chandio, and leaders of various other Sindhi nationalist parties paid homage to their late ideological idol at the gathering.

The committee announced holding of a protest march and sit-in against the oppressive policies on May 19 in Mithi.

The speakers reminded the audience of G. M. Syed’s July 13, 1972 speech highlighting the importance of awakening Sindhis’ consciousness and defending the province’s sovereignty with unity, patriotism and resistance.

Riaz Chandio highlighted the political and existential challenges to Sindh, and remarked that Sindhis were being oppressed in the name of democracy and brotherhood.

He claimed that Sindh’s resources — lands, islands, minerals and rivers — were being snatched from its people under the imposed hybrid governments or martial laws.

He also criticised illegal dams being built and canals drawn from the Indus River to cause harm or loss of Sindh’s delta and biodiversity, besides devastation of its forests and wildlife.

Mr Chandio condemned the current hybrid political system “designed to serve the interests of the ruling elite”.

He warned the government against its policy of doling out lands to the corporate sector under the dictates of the IMF and World Bank at the cost of Sindh’s interests.

He called upon people of Sindh to reject this oppressive system and raise their voice for the protection of Sindh’s land, rivers and resources through peaceful resistance.

The others who spoke at the gathering included Dr Niaz Kalani, Nawaz Khan Zaunr and Shabbir Ahmed Jamali.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026