PML-F rallies against canals project today

KARACHI:

President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) Sindh and Chief Coordinator of the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi announced that rallies would be held on April 5 (today) from Sakrand to Hyderabad while in Karachi on April 6 (tomorrow) against the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River. He also expressed support for a protest demonstration at the Karachi Press Club at 4pm.

"We will neither allow the construction of canals, nor will we tolerate the rule of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government," he stated. "We are not against the development of any province, but we cannot accept the prosperity of one province at the cost of rendering another province barren."

Rashdi emphasised the importance of public participation in the protest to save the Indus River, asserting that the people of Sindh know how to protect their interests.

He was speaking at an Eid Milan party at the Functional League House in Karachi, attended by GDA Sindh's General Secretary, Dr. Safdar Abbasi, Functional League Secretary General Sardar Abdul Rahim Abdul Karim Sheikh, various district presidents and secretaries, members of the coordination committee, and leaders from the ladies' and ulema wings.

Rashdi remarked, "The hypocritical policies of the PPP are well-known. Zardari League approved the construction of canals and is now protesting against it. Karachi, the capital of Sindh, will be heavily affected if the Indus is compromised. Destroying thriving cities to cultivate deserts-where is the justice in that?"

He urged the people of Karachi to fight for the survival and security of the Indus River, vowing to escalate protests.