Thousands protest canalisation of the Indus and coporate farming

Saturday 29 March 2025, by Farooq Tariq


Thousands of farmers gathered in Bhit Shah, Sindh, to protest against corporate farming initiatives and the proposed canal projects on river Indus. The conference, organized by the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee with the support of three other members of PKRC from Sindh, saw participation from farmers’ leaders across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the Saraiki region.

The attendees rejected the construction of six new canals and corporate farming projects, demanding an immediate halt to new canals and dams and the restoration of the Indus River’s natural flow.

The conference passed several resolutions, declaring the “Green Pakistan” initiative anti-farmer and opposing agricultural taxes, which were labelled as an attack on farmers. Leaders criticized the government for succumbing to IMF demands, accusing it of selling the country’s resources and compromising national integrity.

The 26th Constitutional Amendment and the PECA Amendment Bill were also rejected terming them as a move to silence dissenting voices. Leaders also rejected ARSA Act describing it as a move to sell Sindh’s water to foreign companies.

Speakers at the conference, including Awami Tehreek President Advocate Wassand Thari and Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee General Secretary Farooq Tariq, condemned the government’s policies, alleging that the “Green Pakistan” and “Agricultural Revolution” slogans were being used to displace farmers and sell their lands to foreign corporations. They accused the PPP of betraying Sindh by supporting these projects and criticized the current government for turning Sindh into a desert.

The conference also rejected the Cholistan and Greater Thal Canal projects, demanding that Sindh receive its rightful share of water. Leaders called for an international tribunal to investigate water theft from Sindh and compensate the province for its losses. They also demanded the return of lands seized for projects like Bahria Town, DHA City, and others, and the prosecution of those involved in these land grabs.

Cultural groups like the Sindhiyani Cultural Group performed at the conference, and national artists sang protest songs against the exploitation of the Indus River.
Key resolutions and demands:

 1.⁠ ⁠Rejection of Corporate Farming and New Canals:

The conference rejected corporate farming and the construction of six new canals, demanding an immediate halt to these projects.

 2.⁠ ⁠Restoration of Indus River’s Flow:

The conference called for the restoration of the Indus River’s natural flow and an end to the construction of new dams and canals.

 3.⁠ ⁠Land Reforms:

The conference demanded that over 4.8 million acres of land be distributed to landless farmers instead of being given to foreign investors or military-affiliated companies.

 4.⁠ ⁠Abolition of Anti-Farmer Laws:

The conference called for the repeal of the IRSA Act and PECA Act, labeling them as negative laws. [1]

 5.⁠ ⁠Compensation for Flood Victims:

The conference demanded immediate compensation of at least one million rupees for the 2022 flood victims.

 6.⁠ ⁠Environmental Justice:

The conference called for climate finance from wealthy nations to address the damage caused by climate change.

 7.⁠ ⁠Tax Reforms:

The conference demanded the imposition of a super tax on the wealthy and a reduction in direct taxes to 10%.

 8.⁠ ⁠Legal Rights for the Indus River:

Inspired by Canada’s Magpie River, the conference demanded that the Indus River be granted legal rights to flow freely and be protected from exploitation.

 9.⁠ ⁠Agricultural Support:

The conference called for affordable agricultural loans, modern machinery, and fair prices for crops like wheat, sugarcane, and rice.

10.⁠ ⁠Protection of Cultural Sites:

The conference demanded an end to the encroachment on Sindh’s historical and cultural sites, including Keenjhar Lake, Karonjhar Hills, and Manchar Lake.

The conference concluded with a call for unity among farmers across the country to resist corporate exploitation and protect their lands, water, and resources.

[2]

ESSF 17 Feb

Attached documentsthousands-protest-canalisation-of-the-indus-and-coporate_a8920.pdf (PDF - 899.9 KiB)
Extraction PDF [->article8920]

Footnotes


[1] https://pakistancode.gov.pk/pdffiles/administratorddefa532cd235246ebbdb8439d847510.pdf.


[2] Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC)


Farooq Tariq
Farooq Tariq is General Secretary, Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee.
and President Haqooq Khalq Party. He previously played leading roles Awami Workers’ Party and before that of Labour Party Pakistan.


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