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The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) has appealed to the people of Karachi to join protests against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River, warning that the controversial project could lead to a severe water crisis in Sindh.
At an Eid Milan gathering held at the Functional League House in Karachi, GDA Chief Coordinator and PML-Functional Sindh President Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi declared full support for rallies scheduled on April 5 (Sakrand to Hyderabad) and April 6 in Karachi, where a protest will be held at 4pm outside the Karachi Press Club.
Rashdi criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accusing it of double standards. “The PPP, which approved the canals, is now pretending to protest against them,” he said.
He added, “We are not against the progress of any province, but development should not come at the cost of turning another into a desert.”
READ: Sindh assembly passes resolution against six canals on Indus River
Calling Karachi the heartbeat of Sindh, he warned that the city would suffer if the Indus dried up.
“Karachi’s water comes from Keenjhar Lake, which is fed by the Indus. If the Indus weakens, so will Karachi’s water supply,” he said.
He urged Karachiites to unite for the survival of the Indus River, stressing that the issue impacts the entire province – not just interior Sindh. “Thousands of acres in Sindh are already barren due to water shortage. Before populating desert areas, water should first reach these lands,” he said.
Other leaders at the event, including Dr Safdar Abbasi and Sardar Abdul Rahim, agreed with the sentiment. Rahim said this is not an interior Sindh issue alone: “If the Indus dries, Karachi will face a disaster.”
GDA vowed to expand the movement and warned of continued resistance against any plan that endangers Sindh’s water supply.
“We will not allow this injustice to be carried out in the name of development,” Rashdi concluded.
