Karachi, March 15, 2025 — In a powerful demonstration of unity, lawyers from Karachi and across Sindh gathered in front of the Sindh Assembly today, protesting against the controversial river distribution plan. The protest, organized by the Karachi Bar Association and supported by lawyers from the entire province, saw a massive rally that began at the District Court Karachi and made its way to the Sindh Assembly building. The rally was marked with strong slogans including “Save Indus River” and “No More Illegal Canal Distribution.”
The protest comes in the wake of concerns over the construction of six new canals over the Indus River, which threatens to reduce Sindh’s already limited share of water. The River Indus has long been the lifeblood of Sindh, serving as the primary source of water for agriculture, drinking, and the livelihoods of millions. However, recent developments have intensified fears that the province’s water resources are being unfairly diverted.
Despite Sindh’s constitutional and historical rights over the Indus River, the provincial government—dominated by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which also holds the presidency of Pakistan—has faced criticism for silently assenting to the construction of these new canals. While the Sindh government has expressed concerns, many believe it is playing a diplomatic role to appease federal authorities, raising questions about the sincerity of its position in defending the province’s water rights.
The construction of these new canals is seen by many as not only an act of injustice but also as a violation of the 1991 Water Accord, which was established to ensure a fair distribution of water among the provinces. The Accord stipulated that water sharing must be based on equitable needs, and the new canals—diverting further water upstream—undermine Sindh’s legal share.
The impact of these developments is already being felt by farmers across Sindh, particularly in districts such as Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal. These areas have witnessed the worst effects of the water crisis, with farmers struggling to irrigate their lands and the once-thriving Indus Delta now shrinking. The delta, which historically protected Sindh from the encroachment of seawater, is disappearing, allowing seawater to intrude further into fertile agricultural land.
“The people of Sindh are facing a man-made disaster, and we cannot allow this injustice to continue. The construction of these new canals further exacerbates the water crisis and deepens the suffering of our people,” said a spokesperson from the Karachi Bar Association during the protest. “Water is a basic human right, and we demand that our rights to the Indus River be protected.”
Sindh’s water crisis has been escalating for years. With shrinking resources, the province is witnessing not only the destruction of its agriculture but also a profound ecological imbalance. The province’s vulnerability to the loss of its water share is pushing it toward a dire environmental and economic situation.
As the protest concluded, lawyers and citizens alike vowed to continue their struggle for justice. The call for the restoration of Sindh’s water rights is growing louder, with many questioning the sincerity of both the Sindh and federal governments in addressing the issue.
The rally is a strong reminder that the people of Sindh are not willing to stand by as their resources and livelihoods are jeopardized. The fight for the Indus River and fair water distribution continues.
