It is need of the time to shelve the canals’ project for good and let the River Indus flow

Azhar “Azad” Mughal

The widespread protests and massive rallies erupted in Sindh since the approval to the unconstitutional and illegal construction of canals on river Indus in Punjab by the federal and Punjab governments bypassing the constitutional forum Council of the Common Interests, the mandate of which is to resolve intra-provincial issues amicably after developing consensus among the members. It is mandatory and crucial for the government to convene its meeting every 90 days according to the article 154 of the constitution but unfortunately nothing concrete and conclusive has taken place as for as the meeting of CCI is concerned.

The pressure developed by the people of Sindh against the contentious and controversial canals compelled the President of the country to take his decision back verbally on the occasion of his address to the joint session of the parliament. Following the President’s verbal withdrawal from the canals project, the ruling party in Sindh deemed it a must to pass the resolution against the digging of canals unanimously amid stiff resistance by the general public for the sake of its face saving and its crumbling stronghold. The ruling party immediately convened its general council meeting and made announcement to launch campaign against canals soon after Eid just to retain its political clout and regain its lost credibility. The political pundits of province and analysts are of the opinion that PPP’s latest decision aims at steering itself out of present crisis and quagmire, and restore its image in the public.

Whatever ruling party is going to do, it would give the impression that it is against the project but nobody can deny the ground reality that it was the PPP that brought changes in IRSA and approved the project under President’s shadow. It is now shedding crocodile tears just to befool and hoodwink the people of Sindh for the purpose of garnering sympathies and support of the masses. Even they do not hesitate to say that if ruling party is really serious and sincere to the interests of Sindh it had better to bid farewell to Shebaz-led coalition government in center and part its ways with N-League for good.

Setting aside the analysts, the federal government must realize now that not only do the people of Sindh consider canals project conspiracy for their existence but also declare them death warrants for their very survival. The beauty of River Indus would give deserted look in case water is diverted from Sindhu to Cholistan.

I wonder the wisdom of the federal government that is adamant to implement its canals project to irrigate and cultivate the desert lands of Cholistan at the cost of fertile lands of Sindh. Will it not have devastating impact on ecosystem, environment, farming community? The life of delta would of course be in great jeopardy if 10MF water is not released to the sea. The project is against the natural laws. Sindh is already facing acute shortage of water due to which it is suffering massively, there are no rainfalls this year so far, there is no certainty of crops’ benefits. Thousands of people will not only be robbed and deprived of their livelihoods but also displaced, violation of human rights. Is it right act of the authorities to render fertile lands of its federating unit barren at the whim, caprice and will of minority? Even the water experts of the country do not consider the project workable and feasible. Even the enlightened, progressive forces and sane segments of society of Punjab are voicing their concerns against these canals.

Is it in the interests of the country to dry Sindh for the sake of Cholistan desert? Does it suit the center to implement its project come what may? Are the voices emanating from the helpless people of Sindh are of no importance? Are the people living in Sindh are not humans and have no right to live lives of their own? Does religion not give right to lower riparian people to make use of water first?

Sensing and keeping in mind the gravity of the situation, the increasing wave of protest demonstrations of the enraged and angry people, Sindh’s sentiments and tender emotions must be attached weight and honored. It is need of the time for the canals project to be shelved for good by the federal government and let the River Indus flow.