No more Canals on Indus

No more canals on indus: Sindh protesting against water theft

Rallies and protests are being organized across Sindh against the theft of Indus River water, corporate farming, and environmental destruction. Activists, farmers, and labor unions are raising their voices against policies that threaten Sindh’s agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods.

The movement aims to resist projects that could turn Sindh’s fertile lands into barren deserts, leading to mass displacement and food shortages. The rally’s official slogan is: “No More Canals on Indus – Protect Sindh’s Water Rights!”

Punjab, located upstream, is already facing a 13% water shortage, yet it continues to divert water from the Indus River to irrigate approximately 1.2 million acres in Cholistan. The 1991 Water Document meant to ensure fair distribution, remains unimplemented, and IRSA is accused of facilitating water theft.

As a result, people in Sindh are taking to the streets to protest this injustice and illegal water diversion. With Sindh already struggling with severe water scarcity, these projects are seen as anti-Sindh, threatening its agriculture, livelihoods, and rightful water share.

Ayaz Latif Palijo accused Irsa of facilitating large-scale water theft through the construction of six strategic canals on the Indus River, warning that this would worsen Sindh’s water crisis. He criticized Irsa, Wapda, and other institutions for their alleged bias against Sindh, demanding an end to the exploitation of the province’s water resources.

Upcoming Rallis and long Marches in Sindh

No more canals on Indus Call by Study Circle Majeed Keerio

Location: Village Majeed Keerio to Sakrand City
Date and Time: April 4, 2025, at 3:00 PM
Organized by: Study Circle, local activists, and community groups

The rally will begin at Village Majeed Keerio and proceed to Sakrand City, covering a distance of 6 kilometers. Participants will include farmers, environmental activists, and concerned citizens, all coming together to protest against water theft and demand the construction of six canals to irrigate the Cholistan region. The protest will highlight the urgent need for proper water distribution to sustain agriculture and local livelihoods.

No more canals on Indus Call by PML-F

Location: Sakrand to Hyderabad, Sindh
Date and Time: April 5, 2025
Organized by: Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F)

The rally commenced with slogan “No more Canals on Indus” in Sakrand and proceeded to Hyderabad, culminating at Hyder Chowk. Key political figures, including Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, Zain Shah, led the procession. The demonstration aimed to protest the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River, emphasizing concerns over water resource allocation and environmental impact.

Location: Karachi Press Club, Karachi, Sindh
Date and Time: April 6, 2025, at 4:00 PM
Organized by: Pakistan Muslim League Functional

A protest demonstration is scheduled to take place outside the Karachi Press Club. Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi and Syed Zain Shah are expected to address the gathering, reiterating opposition to the construction of new canals on the Indus River. The event seeks to mobilize public support to protect Sindh’s water rights and prevent potential environmental degradation.

No more canals on Indus Call by JUI-F

Location: Larkana City to Larkana-Khairpur Bridge
Date and Time: April 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM
Organized by: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Sindh Chapter

The rally will start from Larkana city and proceed to Larkana-Khairpur Bridge, covering 8 kilometers. Participants will include religious leaders, party workers, and concerned citizens protesting against the federal government’s six-canal project. The sit-in at the bridge will emphasize Sindh’s 55% water shortage and call upon the PPP to withdraw support from the ruling coalition in Islamabad.

Location: Sukkur City to Sukkur Barrage
Date and Time: April 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM
Organized by: JUI-F Sukkur Division

A large public sit-in was held at Sukkur Barrage, with participants voicing strong opposition to the Cholistan irrigation plan. Protesters criticized the plan for favoring the rich and depriving Sindh of its rightful share of Indus River water.

Location: Al Manzar, Jamshoro to Kotri Barrage
Date and Time: April 6, 2025, at 12:00 PM
Organized by: JUI-F Hyderabad and Jamshoro Chapters

Supporters and leaders gathered at Al Manzar and marched to Kotri Barrage, where they staged a four-hour sit-in. The protest disrupted traffic and highlighted the risks the canal project poses to Sindh’s water, agriculture, and environment.

Location: Qazi Ahmed to Amri Bridge, District Nawabshah
Date and Time: April 6, 2025, at 1:00 PM
Organized by: JUI-F Nawabshah and Naushahro Feroze Units

Hundreds of protesters marched to Amri Bridge and blocked the route, carrying party flags and placards. Leaders accused the PPP of collaborating with the federal authorities to push the canal plan, ignoring the interests of Sindh.

Location: Thatta to Darya Khan Bridge (Thatta-Sujawal Road)
Date and Time: April 6, 2025, at 2:00 PM
Organized by: JUI-F Thatta District

A large sit-in was held on the Darya Khan Bridge, where roads connecting Thatta and Sujawal were blocked. JUI-F central and provincial leaders led the protest, raising slogans against the project and warning of intensified resistance if the plan proceeds.

No more canals on Indus Call by Working Class Women & Human Rights Activists

Location: Karachi
Date and Time: March 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM
Organized by: Working-class women, political groups, and human rights organizations

The rally will start from Youth Auditorium and proceed to the Arts Council of Pakistan. Thousands of women workers, farmers, and environmental activists from across Sindh will participate. The protest will highlight the struggles of working women and the severe impact of exploitative policies on Sindh’s people, land, and water resources.

Bottom-line

The ongoing construction of canals on the Indus River has sparked widespread protests across Sindh, as water theft continues to worsen the province’s crisis. Despite fierce opposition, Punjab persists with these projects, depriving Sindh of its rightful share. The PPP-led Sindh government, instead of defending its people, remains complicit, raising suspicions of hidden political deals.

Under the banner “No More Canals on Indus,” farmers, students, and nationalist groups are rallying against this injustice. However, instead of addressing their concerns, the state is using force to suppress dissent. Police are registering false cases against protesters, targeting farmers, student organizations, and nationalist activists in an attempt to crush the movement. This blatant misuse of power is fueling more anger among the people.

If these anti-Sindh projects continue and state repression escalates, the situation will spiral out of control. Widespread protests will erupt, leading to further instability. No More Canals on Indus is not just a slogan—it is a call for justice and survival. The people of Sindh will not accept being silenced while their land dries up. Punjab must immediately halt its exploitation of water resources, or the growing unrest will turn into a full-scale uprising.

“No More Canals on Indus”