HYDERABAD: Leaders of the Awami Tehreek (AT) have alleged that the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is hatching a conspiracy to cause bloodshed at the mausoleum of Rasool Bux Palijo by backing illegal encroachers and desecrating Palijo’s portraits and banners.
They claimed that the mausoleum’s caretaker was assaulted, and that a false case was subsequently registered against the victims themselves rather than the attackers.
Speaking at a press conference at the local press club on Wednesday, the AT leaders demanded the registration of an FIR against those responsible, calling for immediate intervention by the authorities to avert violence. They highlighted that throughout his life, Rasool Bux Palijo had fiercely advocated for the rights of working-class people, as well as oppressed and marginalised communities.
Senior AT figures, including senior vice-president Noor Ahmed Katiar, vice-president Sattar Rind, deputy secretary Raheel Bhutto and Husna Rahujo, vice-president of the Sindhiyani Tehreek, were among those who addressed the media.
The leaders stated that following the June 7 anniversary of Palijo’s death, the AT had launched a peaceful campaign against artificial water shortages in Sindh, the contemplated 28th constitutional amendment, and other pressing issues. They alleged that the PPP wanted the AT to remain silent on these critical matters, including the water crisis, the 26th, 27th and contemplated 28th amendments, alleged plans to divide Sindh, institutional corruption, narcotics, the sale of public jobs, the exploitation of Sindh’s natural resources, and corporate farming projects under the Green Pakistan Initiative.
Furthermore, they claimed that a smear campaign had been launched on social media by paid agents operating to defame both Palijo and the AT. They alleged that fake accounts had been created in Palijo’s name to post inflammatory and offensive content targeting political and religious figures in a deliberate attempt to damage his reputation.
According to the AT leaders, 10 days after the anniversary, a group led by Mazhar Ali Palijo, Barkat Ali Palijo, and serviceman Ashfaq Palijo, accompanied by 15 to 20 individuals, entered the premises near the mausoleum on June 17. The group allegedly demolished a boundary wall and occupied part of the public meeting ground.
They stated that despite submitting formal complaints to the SSP in Thatta and requesting the registration of an FIR, the police had failed to take any action. On the night of June 30, the same group allegedly tore down banners bearing Palijo’s photographs, desecrated portraits and attempted to expand their occupation of the mausoleum and the adjoining land. The caretaker, identified as Mahmood, was reportedly assaulted, sustained axe injuries, and had to be admitted to hospital.
The leaders strongly condemned the police for registering a case against the victim’s associates— Mangar Khan Palijo, Abdul Ghani Palijo, Anil Masood Palijo, Naveed Ali Palijo, Waliullah Palijo, and Ashraf Palijo —instead of taking action against the actual perpetrators.
Accusing the Sindh government of utilising the police force to create conditions that could trigger bloodshed, they warned that such unjust actions were entirely intolerable.
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026