The protesters, which included women and children, staged a sit-in in which they shouted slogans against the federal and Punjab governments. They were carrying banners and placards with slogans against the reopening of the canal. Some of the enraged protesters also burnt tyres and blocked the road, which suspended traffic for almost four hours.
Awami Tehreek officials, Abdul Hakeem Halepoto, Hassan Ali Bappar and Shama Bhatti, led activists of their own party and the Sindhiyani Tehreek. The officials said that Sindh has been deprived of its rights for more than 60 years and they will no longer tolerate any injustices.
Blaming Punjab for usurping the natural resources of smaller provinces, they warned that pushing Sindhis, the Baloch and Pukhtun to one side will prove disastrous for the country. Sindh will no longer let someone else take over its share in the name of a reconciliatory policy, said the speakers, adding that any water reservoir aimed at suspending the supply to Sindh will not be acceptable.
The protesters accused elected representatives, especially those belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party, of looking after their personal interests and ignoring the demands of the people. Towards the end of the protest, party officials demanded the federal government compensate Sindh by releasing more water.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 21st, 2010.
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