In Sindh-Politics list, Zulfiqar Halepoto responded to one email sent by Farrah Saleh. Here we give first the email of Ms Farrah and then reply of Mr Halepoto. –Ed.
Farrah Saleh of www.cchd.org.pk wrote addressing to one, Adeel:
Dear Adeel, I was kind of surprised to read the argument you posted against Kalabagh dam. I think we are (or at least claim to be) civil society activists.
The issue here is not Punjab V/s other provinces. The issue that is being discussed by all group members is that the Kalabagh dam is technically sound enough to foster development process and cope with water-loss issues or not?
Your mail also aroused melancholic feelings. It is really sad to see that we can’t think beyond our preconceived notions and ideas.
Do you really think that the people you are talking about are true representatives of Punjab???? You just can’t impose the guilt of a few on all the community. If this is the Universal Law than there is no point discussing bias against Islam in Western media??????? If this is the ultimate truth than the terrorist group do represent Muslims in general??????
We here in Punjab also feel deprived. The people here in Punjab also suffer from the same problems that are faced by people in other provinces (poverty, [in]security, education, health, corruption, etc.). Please try and identify the root-cause.
It is all the policies of our governments that do not represent wishes of people.
It is the criminal-silence of people that has encouraged our governments to play around with us. And in spite of raising voice against all the injustices, what are we doing currently? Leveling charges against each other?
Is this the model that we want our generations to follow?
I don't believe that those who are against Kalabagh dam are anti-Pakistani or those who are favoring it are a symbol of hegemony of Punjab.
Please keep the record straight. Share technical information based on logic rather than on acquisitions.
Afifa
With Imense Regards
Farrah Parvaiz Saleh
Zulfiqar Halepoto replies:
Dear Farrah Saleh
Couple of day’s back we had Fakhar Zaman here in Hyderabad and had a long discussion on many political and other issues including Sindh Punjab relations, role of federation, concerns of small provinces and many other issues which are threatening the peoples’ integrity of the entire four provinces.
Interestingly few points are raised by you with the same concerns that who are dividing people at what cost?
Mian Nawaz Sharif was the emergence of Punjabi nationalism. He announced Kalabagh Dam (KBD) and took the decision back. But Punjabi nation did not launch a moment against Nawaz Sharif on his turnaround decision and he was not thrown out of power by the common Punjabi; in fact he was ousted by the military establishment.
We believe that lot of people in Punjab especially the enlightened people (including a great number of Siraiki Wasaib people) are in favor of the opinion that the concerns and reservations of Sindh and other small province must perceive a sound of great hearing with a statesmanship attitude. But from whom we are demanding this. A military regime that ruined the constitution and people’s mandate? In the face value the illegal regime of Musharraf is leaving the impression in Sindh that if he will not build Kalabagh Dam Punjabis will not allow him to rule further. If we believe this theory that he is doing ill-political tactics to blame Punjab for the ill-designs of military establishment, than who will make the record strait. Obviously Punjab’s people. If the people of Punjab believe that civil and military alliance is settling their scores by putting gun on the shoulder of Punjab then certainly Punjab has to clear its position.
I fully agree that accusation is not a healthy sign and will increase the gap among the people of the state but on point I want to focus here that since you are not known to the subject of water and dam politics, so you are drawing the conclusion that KBD is technically feasible.
I can send you hundreds of papers, written by the know hydrologists, water experts and dam experts, irrigation and environmental exports, who have rejected KBD not on the EMOTIONAL grounds but on very very technical and logical grounds.
I can quote few names Mr Rafi Khan (SDPI), Umer Asghar Khan (need no introduction), the chairman of technical committee on water resources Mr. A N G Abbasi, Mr. Fateh Ullah Khan (former Chairman IRSA), Late Abdul Rasool Memon (former chairman IRSA), Dr Asadullah Kazi (Vice Chancellor ISRA University) Senator Abdul Majeed Kazi and hundred of others.
KBD is not rejected by the political parties and millions of people of Sindh, but if you will look at the official stand (not taken by Arbab Rahim) but taken by the irrigation and water experts of Ministry of power and Irrigation. They have rejected KBD on very solid technical grounds.
Even if we say they all are Sindhis and Pakhtoons than please have a look on the KBD feasibility report 1983, Volume III and XIII, where KBD is considered as NONVIABLE project by the consultants, paid by the WAPDA.
I am available for any kind of assistance if you require understanding KBD on TECHNICAL ground.
Regards
Zulfiqar Halepoto
Forum for Conflict Resolution (FCR)
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Kalabagh Dam Shocker! - Musharafs Outrageous Comments
Kalabagh Dam Shocker! - Musharafs Outrageous Comments
--- In mirpurkhas@yahoogroups.com, Never Mind wrote:
http://dawn.com/2005/12/12/top2.htm
I was a bit shocked by Musharrafs statement about the kalabagh dam..at one side he is asking for consensus and offering constitutional guarantees (which is a bit odd coming from a person who suspended the constitution) and then he says this:
Answering a question, he warned that Punjab would topple any future government which dared to halt the construction of the Kalabagh dam once work on it was undertaken.
He said it was now evident that no political party in the country could form government without the support from Punjab.
MY OPINION - IS NT THIS A BIT OF A BULLY BOY TACTIC
For any reponse to any emailsd I send please contact me personally on saffyhuk@y... or sarfraz_hayat@h...
--- In mirpurkhas@yahoogroups.com, Never Mind
http://dawn.com/2005/12/12/top2.htm
I was a bit shocked by Musharrafs statement about the kalabagh dam..at one side he is asking for consensus and offering constitutional guarantees (which is a bit odd coming from a person who suspended the constitution) and then he says this:
Answering a question, he warned that Punjab would topple any future government which dared to halt the construction of the Kalabagh dam once work on it was undertaken.
He said it was now evident that no political party in the country could form government without the support from Punjab.
MY OPINION - IS NT THIS A BIT OF A BULLY BOY TACTIC
For any reponse to any emailsd I send please contact me personally on saffyhuk@y... or sarfraz_hayat@h...
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
Mammoth protest marches in Sindh
How can anyone say that there are only few thousand Sindhis who have politicized the issue of Kalabagh Dam. The fact is that every Sindhi is opposed tooth and nail to the KBD, GTC and the like projects. These mammoth crowds protesting against arbitrary blockade of River Indus provides ample evidence of how people of Sindh view these projects and what impact Federal and Punjab government are having on the hearts of the people of Sindh. For the federal government it can be just an opposition of handful Sindhis but for Sindhis, its matter of life and death. The rift is widening day by day. Hope sanity prevails and real powers realize the gravity of the situation before irreversible damage is done (- Mir Atta Talpur).
Ayaz Latif Palijo reports:
Addressing the most exceptional, mammoth and unique protest march of more than two hundred thousand (2 lac) Sindhis here in Karachi today, Chief of Awami Tahreek Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo, Sindh Assembly's Opposition Leader MPA Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Father in Law of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto, Hakim Ali Zardari, Human Rights Lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, Chairman Peoples Party Sindh MPA Sayed Qaim Ali Shah, Chairman Taraqi Pasand Party Dr. Qadir Magsi, President Balochistan National Party Dr. Haee Baloch, President Alliance for Restoration of Democracy Sindh Zain Ansari, President Awami National Party Sindh Shahid Sayed, General Secretary Sindh National Front Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, President Sindh National Party Ameer Bhanbhro, Secretary Sindh Water Committee Abrar Qazi, General Secretary Sindhiani Tahreek Zahida Shaikh, President Muslim League Nawaz Sindh Sardar Rahim, Mushataq Lashari, MPA Sassui Palijo, MNA Shagufta Jumani, MNA Dr. Fahmeeda Mirza, MPA Nasreen Chandio, Dist Nazim Badin Kamal Chang, Writer Jami Chandio, Dr. Nazir Shaikh, President Fisherfolk Forum Muhammad Ali shah, President Workers Party Usman Baloch, Vice Chairman Sindh Bar Council Advocate Noor Naz Agha, writer Hafiz Kunbhar, Jeejee Zareena Baloch, Central Joint Secretary of ANP Ameen Khatak, Head of PATTAN Sarwar Bari, Hadi Bhat, Wishnoo Mal, Qadir Ranto, Hakim Zangejo, Noor Nabi Rahoojo and other leaders have demanded to stop work on the canal project, henceforth and to shelve of the proposed Kalabgh Dam. They said that the government was blatantly ignoring the unanimous resolutions passed by the Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan Assemblies in which it had been demanded that Kalabagh Dam and work on the Thal Canal be immediately stopped. The protest leaders said that the government was spending billions of rupees on a controversial project that was not acceptable by the people of three out of four provinces. The leaders congratulated Awami Tahreek and Rasool Bux Palijo for this heart-awakening march and Nisar Khuhro, Fahmeeda Mirza and Qadir Magsi saluted the workers of Sindhiani Tahreek for their 685 kilometers long march, they said their parties would not allow the rulers to play with the fate of the country and with the life of the people of Sindh. They said the participation of leaders of various political parties indicates that they are united over the issue and added that the government would have to quit the project. Sindh had been the victim of injustice for many years, Palijo, Khuhro, Haee and Zardari added that the entire world accepts the fact that the tale-enders should get the water facility but the rulers, on the contrary, were not ready to accept this right of the tail-enders.
Earlier when the March resumed its journey from Karsaz at 1-30 pm, the Citizens of Karachi witnessed one of the most unique shows and a lifetime opportunity, when more than 70000 Sindhi women carrying banners and small children started raising slogans: "toon dam tho thaheen..jhero aa, tho Sindh sukaeen ..jhero aa, O general tosan.jhero aa, O Musharaf tosan.jhero aa, marsoon marsooon..sindh na desoon, bhuta theesooon..sindh na desoon, fazil theesoon...sindh na desooon, doda theesooon..sindh na desoon, hemon theesooon..sindh na desoon, dam damadam...Palijo, keena vikio jo...Palijo, keeena jhukio jo..Palijo, Mehran jo leadr..Palijo, shahar kehenja..sindhian ja, Darya kehenjo..sindhain jo, Karachi kehenjo sindhian jo..." When the front end of the March was crossing Mehran Hotel and turning towards Metropolitan the rear end was still crossing Nursery signal and Gora Qabrustan. When the march ended at press club at 6 pm, all the three roads were tightly packed with mind-boggling number of Sindhi men and women. The Shahra-e-Fiasal, Karsaz Road, Landhi Road, University Road and latter CM House road also witnessed a complete mess in vehicular movement as different district convoys of Awami Tahreek, SST, Sindhiani Tahreek and Sindhi Haree Tahreek took out processions from various locations. Even cameramen and crew of GEO, KTN and ARY One were comparing this march with million march show of MMA in Peshawar.
While Addressing the marchers, Awami Tahreek Leader Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo, said that Sindhis and other oppressed nations can get their emancipation by following the Path of Shah Latif. He said the original Pakistan was lost in the battlefields of Dhaka, this is no more the Pakistan of MA Jinnah. He said the federal government is responsible for creating artificial shortage of water, unemployment, closure of sugar mills and reduction in prices of crops. He said that the people of Sindh would have to wage a long struggle on the issue of Indus waters and natural resources of Sindh. He said Musharaf is more cruel and brutal then Changez Khan and Hitler. He said the Long March was a vote of no-confidence in General Pervez Musharraf's policy and a manifestation of the fact the people of Sindh consider the controversial projects detrimental to their survival. He said Sindh had been the victim of injustice for many years and added that not only Kalabagh Dam and Thal Canal are dangerous but any further cut on Indus will destroy the entire Indus Civilization. He said this is not the Pakistan, which Sindhis accepted in 1947, that Pakistan was lost in the battlefields of Dhaka, when generals and establishment fought against their own fellow citizens. He said if any individual or party would compromise on Kalabagh or any other dam will be declared traitor of Sindh and its entry in rural areas would be banned by Sindhi masses. He criticized the provincial government and accused it of having failed to advocate Sindh's case. He said Gen Pervez Musharraf had failed to canvass Sindhis for construction of the Kalabagh dam, now he is in search of some betrayers, agents and dallaals. He received standing ovation when he said the people of the province were capable of resisting such moves if they were pushed any further. He urged the leaders of all the parties to join in the efforts for the rights of Sindh. He warned George W Bush, Tony Blair and leaders of Europian Union that their endorsement of present Pakistani rulers has encouraged them to destroy the fate of 40 million peace loving Sindhis.
In his breathtaking speech Advocate Ayaz Latif Palijo accused the government of acting against national interests just to remain in power. He warned western leaders that their endorsement of present rulers has encouraged them to commit the genocide of Sindhis. He said there are two Pakistan exiting within the country, one for Punjab and other for four oppressed nations. One is flourishing with bumper cotton crops, motorways, basant melaas and over flooding canals and other Pakistan is dying at the hands of hunger, poverty and suicides. He said after the release of rapists of Mukhtaran Bibi, the suomoto notice has been taken, but on the other hand Dr. Sahzia was forced to leave the country and when Sheereen Soomro was raped the peaceful protesters were sent to jails and Qadir Bux Jattoi is still in exile. He praised the sacrifices of Shaheed Fazil Rahoo, Nazeer Abbasi, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Soreh Badshah Pagara, Murtaza Bhutto, Lala Asad, Ayaz Samon and martyrs of Thorhee Phatak and Shah Bandar and said this mammoth crowd makes a promise to these beloved souls that every drop of their blood will be accounted for. Quoting the stanzas of Shaikh Ayaz, Latif Saeen and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Ayaz Latif Palijo said our rulers have been showing their solidarity with victims of Gaza and Bosnia, but their lips and tongues are silent on the massacre of Dera Bugti. During his speech thousand of Sindhiani Tahreek women and students were chanting "hoshoo theesooon..sindh na desoon, dolah theesooon..sindh na desoon, marsoon marsoon.sindh na desoon" He said today Indian and Pakistani Punjabi leaders are walking hand in hand in Lahore and Delhi but A J Uttam, Popti Heeranandani, Mohan Kalapna, Bhagwanti Nanwani and Gobind Malhi were not even allowed to see and touch the grounds of their ancestral villages in Sindh and one can imagine the depressed condition of Narain Shayam when he said: "Allai kahree gharee shyam un maN niktaseen...watan waran ta cha sarhad disan naseeb na thee" Ayaz Latif said while our waderas and sardars are busy in exchanging permits, plots, prostitutes and prados, the generals, bureaucrats, molvis and terrorists are destroying already wounded Sindh, Balochistan and Seraiki belt, economically, geographically and socially. He said the time has come when we should emphasize upon the identity of the broad, permanent and fundamental interests of toiling, right-less and oppressed masses of all the provinces, of the South Asian region and of the entire globe. Ayaz received a remarkable ovation and an all-round congratulations by different political party heads.
Speaking on the occasion Nisar Khuhro, Qadir Magsi, Qaim Ali Shah, Hakim Ali Zardai and Sassui Palijo said 80 per cent of the population of the province had been directly affected due to the shortage of water. They acknowledged the role of Awami Tahreek, clarified that PPP will never support Kalabagh Dam and appealed to the Sindhi people to unite on one platform to launch a joint struggle for their rights. They said that those, who were calling the Sindhi and Baloch leaders agents of foreign powers, were themselves enemies of Pakistan. They deplored that the same language was being used today which was used in 1971, leading to the separation of East Pakistan. They said that Sindh was being converted into a desert to irrigate the lands of retired army men.
Daily Dawn, Karachi reports:
30 March 2005 Wednesday 19 Safar 1426
KARACHI: Awami Tehrik calls for decisive struggle: 'Long march' concludes
By Habib Khan Ghori
KARACHI, March 29: Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palejo on Tuesday called upon the people to unite to launch a decisive struggle to get their rights which were promised by the Quaid-i-Azam.
He was speaking at the end of a long-march by the Awami Tehreek against the Thal Canal, Kalabagh Dam and other controversial projects. The march which began in Sukkur on Mrach 1 culminated the Karachi Press Club.
Before culminating peacefully, the long march turned into a massive rally which was addressed by PPP leaders Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Hakim Ali Zardari, Awami National Party leader Shahi Syed, Baloch National Party leader Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch, PML-N leader Sardar Abdul Rahim, ARD Sindh President Zain Ansari and Jeay Sindh Tarraqi Pasand Party leader Dr Quadir Magsi.
The participants of the march covered 580 kms on foot during 29-day long journey. Every day, a batch of 250 activists, including 50 women, used to cover 20 to 25 kms on foot who were joined by local population in every town on its route.
The participants, a majority of them women who came in four-wheelers from different parts of the province, were holding party flags and banners, and were raising slogans against Kalabagh Dam and Greater Thal Canal. The most popular slogan was "Musharraf should make choice between Kalabagh Dam or Pakistan".
The speakers flayed the government, and described Gen President Musharraf as a usurper and illegal ruler who, they claimed, had no right to impose his will against the verdict of the people.
Mr Palejo said the present Pakistan was not the Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam, and stated that the army was killing its own people in Balochistan, while operation was going on in Wana in NWFP and Sindh was being denied its water share.
The AT chief called upon the people to launch a decision struggle, and said the 1940 resolution had committed entity and autonomy to all units wherein all would be equal and have equal rights.
He warned the rulers that people were yearning for a new system based on equality, justice, and human friendliness. "They cannot be suppressed any more; and they will never allow anti-Sindh and anti-people projects to be built under coercion."
Referring to President Gen Musharraf's public meeting in Sindh, he said that Gen Musharraf while visiting Sindh had been hurling threats upon the people. "We want to tell Gen Musharraf that the decision-making hour has come. People are now aware of their rights and they are going to wage a decisive struggle in which either he or we would be the winner.
"We don't need present Pakistan which lost its existence when Bangladesh was created. Now we will build a new Pakistan wherein all provinces would have equal rights. For this, all Sindhis, Balochs and Pathans should join hands to wind up the present system and replace it with a democratic, people and human being friendly system.
He said Gen Musharraf wants to build dams over river Indus, depriving us of even whatever water was available. In Sindh, PPP emerged as a winner in the 2002 elections, but he handed over power to people in Azizabad who were facing serious charges of terrorism and murders. At Nine-Zero, he said, the rate for employment was Rs50,000. He said he was not against Urdu-speaking people and their culture which was in fact our culture also.
Dr Hayee Baloch said now all oppressed people of the country had joined hands to launch a struggle get rid of the illegal and unconstitutional rulers. He opposed construction of cantonments and mega projects in Balochistan by terming them a conspiracy to control resources of local people and use them for the hegemony of a province.
Mr Shahi Syed said Pakistan and Kalabagh Dam could not go together. He said Gen Musharraf was delivering speeches in support of Kalabagh Dam. He should allow all other generals in the army to exercise this right to come and express their views about Kalabag Dam.
Mr Nisar Kuhro said today people in every street were protesting against the Kalabag Dam and other anti-Sindh projects, but Gen Musharraf had closed his eyes. "We would not allow Gen Musharraf to become Gorbachev by foiling all attempts to disintegrate Pakistan," he added.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said people were dying of hunger, poverty and thirst in Sindh, the PPP would hold the general accountable after coming to power. Mr Hakim Ali Zardari said that PPP would always side with the people in their every struggle for the rights.
Sardar Abdul Rahim said Pakistan Muslim League-N was with the people of Sindh in their struggle as Mr Nawaz Sharif made it clear that if even a single man was opposed to the project, it should not be built.
Mr Qadir Magsi appealed to the people to make the Ponam's wheel jam and shutter down strike successful. Other speakers included Ms Arena Baloch, Ms Zamia Sheikh, Azeri Qurush, Air Bhambhro, Kamal Chang, Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, Ms Fehmida Mirza, Ms Noor Naz Agha, Ms Shugufta Jumani, Ms Sasui Palejo, Abrar Qazi, Ayaz Lateef Palejo, and Qadir Ranto.
© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2005
Ayaz Latif Palijo reports:
Addressing the most exceptional, mammoth and unique protest march of more than two hundred thousand (2 lac) Sindhis here in Karachi today, Chief of Awami Tahreek Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo, Sindh Assembly's Opposition Leader MPA Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Father in Law of PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto, Hakim Ali Zardari, Human Rights Lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, Chairman Peoples Party Sindh MPA Sayed Qaim Ali Shah, Chairman Taraqi Pasand Party Dr. Qadir Magsi, President Balochistan National Party Dr. Haee Baloch, President Alliance for Restoration of Democracy Sindh Zain Ansari, President Awami National Party Sindh Shahid Sayed, General Secretary Sindh National Front Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, President Sindh National Party Ameer Bhanbhro, Secretary Sindh Water Committee Abrar Qazi, General Secretary Sindhiani Tahreek Zahida Shaikh, President Muslim League Nawaz Sindh Sardar Rahim, Mushataq Lashari, MPA Sassui Palijo, MNA Shagufta Jumani, MNA Dr. Fahmeeda Mirza, MPA Nasreen Chandio, Dist Nazim Badin Kamal Chang, Writer Jami Chandio, Dr. Nazir Shaikh, President Fisherfolk Forum Muhammad Ali shah, President Workers Party Usman Baloch, Vice Chairman Sindh Bar Council Advocate Noor Naz Agha, writer Hafiz Kunbhar, Jeejee Zareena Baloch, Central Joint Secretary of ANP Ameen Khatak, Head of PATTAN Sarwar Bari, Hadi Bhat, Wishnoo Mal, Qadir Ranto, Hakim Zangejo, Noor Nabi Rahoojo and other leaders have demanded to stop work on the canal project, henceforth and to shelve of the proposed Kalabgh Dam. They said that the government was blatantly ignoring the unanimous resolutions passed by the Sindh, NWFP and Balochistan Assemblies in which it had been demanded that Kalabagh Dam and work on the Thal Canal be immediately stopped. The protest leaders said that the government was spending billions of rupees on a controversial project that was not acceptable by the people of three out of four provinces. The leaders congratulated Awami Tahreek and Rasool Bux Palijo for this heart-awakening march and Nisar Khuhro, Fahmeeda Mirza and Qadir Magsi saluted the workers of Sindhiani Tahreek for their 685 kilometers long march, they said their parties would not allow the rulers to play with the fate of the country and with the life of the people of Sindh. They said the participation of leaders of various political parties indicates that they are united over the issue and added that the government would have to quit the project. Sindh had been the victim of injustice for many years, Palijo, Khuhro, Haee and Zardari added that the entire world accepts the fact that the tale-enders should get the water facility but the rulers, on the contrary, were not ready to accept this right of the tail-enders.
Earlier when the March resumed its journey from Karsaz at 1-30 pm, the Citizens of Karachi witnessed one of the most unique shows and a lifetime opportunity, when more than 70000 Sindhi women carrying banners and small children started raising slogans: "toon dam tho thaheen..jhero aa, tho Sindh sukaeen ..jhero aa, O general tosan.jhero aa, O Musharaf tosan.jhero aa, marsoon marsooon..sindh na desoon, bhuta theesooon..sindh na desoon, fazil theesoon...sindh na desooon, doda theesooon..sindh na desoon, hemon theesooon..sindh na desoon, dam damadam...Palijo, keena vikio jo...Palijo, keeena jhukio jo..Palijo, Mehran jo leadr..Palijo, shahar kehenja..sindhian ja, Darya kehenjo..sindhain jo, Karachi kehenjo sindhian jo..." When the front end of the March was crossing Mehran Hotel and turning towards Metropolitan the rear end was still crossing Nursery signal and Gora Qabrustan. When the march ended at press club at 6 pm, all the three roads were tightly packed with mind-boggling number of Sindhi men and women. The Shahra-e-Fiasal, Karsaz Road, Landhi Road, University Road and latter CM House road also witnessed a complete mess in vehicular movement as different district convoys of Awami Tahreek, SST, Sindhiani Tahreek and Sindhi Haree Tahreek took out processions from various locations. Even cameramen and crew of GEO, KTN and ARY One were comparing this march with million march show of MMA in Peshawar.
While Addressing the marchers, Awami Tahreek Leader Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo, said that Sindhis and other oppressed nations can get their emancipation by following the Path of Shah Latif. He said the original Pakistan was lost in the battlefields of Dhaka, this is no more the Pakistan of MA Jinnah. He said the federal government is responsible for creating artificial shortage of water, unemployment, closure of sugar mills and reduction in prices of crops. He said that the people of Sindh would have to wage a long struggle on the issue of Indus waters and natural resources of Sindh. He said Musharaf is more cruel and brutal then Changez Khan and Hitler. He said the Long March was a vote of no-confidence in General Pervez Musharraf's policy and a manifestation of the fact the people of Sindh consider the controversial projects detrimental to their survival. He said Sindh had been the victim of injustice for many years and added that not only Kalabagh Dam and Thal Canal are dangerous but any further cut on Indus will destroy the entire Indus Civilization. He said this is not the Pakistan, which Sindhis accepted in 1947, that Pakistan was lost in the battlefields of Dhaka, when generals and establishment fought against their own fellow citizens. He said if any individual or party would compromise on Kalabagh or any other dam will be declared traitor of Sindh and its entry in rural areas would be banned by Sindhi masses. He criticized the provincial government and accused it of having failed to advocate Sindh's case. He said Gen Pervez Musharraf had failed to canvass Sindhis for construction of the Kalabagh dam, now he is in search of some betrayers, agents and dallaals. He received standing ovation when he said the people of the province were capable of resisting such moves if they were pushed any further. He urged the leaders of all the parties to join in the efforts for the rights of Sindh. He warned George W Bush, Tony Blair and leaders of Europian Union that their endorsement of present Pakistani rulers has encouraged them to destroy the fate of 40 million peace loving Sindhis.
In his breathtaking speech Advocate Ayaz Latif Palijo accused the government of acting against national interests just to remain in power. He warned western leaders that their endorsement of present rulers has encouraged them to commit the genocide of Sindhis. He said there are two Pakistan exiting within the country, one for Punjab and other for four oppressed nations. One is flourishing with bumper cotton crops, motorways, basant melaas and over flooding canals and other Pakistan is dying at the hands of hunger, poverty and suicides. He said after the release of rapists of Mukhtaran Bibi, the suomoto notice has been taken, but on the other hand Dr. Sahzia was forced to leave the country and when Sheereen Soomro was raped the peaceful protesters were sent to jails and Qadir Bux Jattoi is still in exile. He praised the sacrifices of Shaheed Fazil Rahoo, Nazeer Abbasi, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Soreh Badshah Pagara, Murtaza Bhutto, Lala Asad, Ayaz Samon and martyrs of Thorhee Phatak and Shah Bandar and said this mammoth crowd makes a promise to these beloved souls that every drop of their blood will be accounted for. Quoting the stanzas of Shaikh Ayaz, Latif Saeen and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Ayaz Latif Palijo said our rulers have been showing their solidarity with victims of Gaza and Bosnia, but their lips and tongues are silent on the massacre of Dera Bugti. During his speech thousand of Sindhiani Tahreek women and students were chanting "hoshoo theesooon..sindh na desoon, dolah theesooon..sindh na desoon, marsoon marsoon.sindh na desoon" He said today Indian and Pakistani Punjabi leaders are walking hand in hand in Lahore and Delhi but A J Uttam, Popti Heeranandani, Mohan Kalapna, Bhagwanti Nanwani and Gobind Malhi were not even allowed to see and touch the grounds of their ancestral villages in Sindh and one can imagine the depressed condition of Narain Shayam when he said: "Allai kahree gharee shyam un maN niktaseen...watan waran ta cha sarhad disan naseeb na thee" Ayaz Latif said while our waderas and sardars are busy in exchanging permits, plots, prostitutes and prados, the generals, bureaucrats, molvis and terrorists are destroying already wounded Sindh, Balochistan and Seraiki belt, economically, geographically and socially. He said the time has come when we should emphasize upon the identity of the broad, permanent and fundamental interests of toiling, right-less and oppressed masses of all the provinces, of the South Asian region and of the entire globe. Ayaz received a remarkable ovation and an all-round congratulations by different political party heads.
Speaking on the occasion Nisar Khuhro, Qadir Magsi, Qaim Ali Shah, Hakim Ali Zardai and Sassui Palijo said 80 per cent of the population of the province had been directly affected due to the shortage of water. They acknowledged the role of Awami Tahreek, clarified that PPP will never support Kalabagh Dam and appealed to the Sindhi people to unite on one platform to launch a joint struggle for their rights. They said that those, who were calling the Sindhi and Baloch leaders agents of foreign powers, were themselves enemies of Pakistan. They deplored that the same language was being used today which was used in 1971, leading to the separation of East Pakistan. They said that Sindh was being converted into a desert to irrigate the lands of retired army men.
Daily Dawn, Karachi reports:
30 March 2005 Wednesday 19 Safar 1426
KARACHI: Awami Tehrik calls for decisive struggle: 'Long march' concludes
By Habib Khan Ghori
KARACHI, March 29: Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palejo on Tuesday called upon the people to unite to launch a decisive struggle to get their rights which were promised by the Quaid-i-Azam.
He was speaking at the end of a long-march by the Awami Tehreek against the Thal Canal, Kalabagh Dam and other controversial projects. The march which began in Sukkur on Mrach 1 culminated the Karachi Press Club.
Before culminating peacefully, the long march turned into a massive rally which was addressed by PPP leaders Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, Hakim Ali Zardari, Awami National Party leader Shahi Syed, Baloch National Party leader Dr Abdul Hayee Baloch, PML-N leader Sardar Abdul Rahim, ARD Sindh President Zain Ansari and Jeay Sindh Tarraqi Pasand Party leader Dr Quadir Magsi.
The participants of the march covered 580 kms on foot during 29-day long journey. Every day, a batch of 250 activists, including 50 women, used to cover 20 to 25 kms on foot who were joined by local population in every town on its route.
The participants, a majority of them women who came in four-wheelers from different parts of the province, were holding party flags and banners, and were raising slogans against Kalabagh Dam and Greater Thal Canal. The most popular slogan was "Musharraf should make choice between Kalabagh Dam or Pakistan".
The speakers flayed the government, and described Gen President Musharraf as a usurper and illegal ruler who, they claimed, had no right to impose his will against the verdict of the people.
Mr Palejo said the present Pakistan was not the Pakistan of Quaid-i-Azam, and stated that the army was killing its own people in Balochistan, while operation was going on in Wana in NWFP and Sindh was being denied its water share.
The AT chief called upon the people to launch a decision struggle, and said the 1940 resolution had committed entity and autonomy to all units wherein all would be equal and have equal rights.
He warned the rulers that people were yearning for a new system based on equality, justice, and human friendliness. "They cannot be suppressed any more; and they will never allow anti-Sindh and anti-people projects to be built under coercion."
Referring to President Gen Musharraf's public meeting in Sindh, he said that Gen Musharraf while visiting Sindh had been hurling threats upon the people. "We want to tell Gen Musharraf that the decision-making hour has come. People are now aware of their rights and they are going to wage a decisive struggle in which either he or we would be the winner.
"We don't need present Pakistan which lost its existence when Bangladesh was created. Now we will build a new Pakistan wherein all provinces would have equal rights. For this, all Sindhis, Balochs and Pathans should join hands to wind up the present system and replace it with a democratic, people and human being friendly system.
He said Gen Musharraf wants to build dams over river Indus, depriving us of even whatever water was available. In Sindh, PPP emerged as a winner in the 2002 elections, but he handed over power to people in Azizabad who were facing serious charges of terrorism and murders. At Nine-Zero, he said, the rate for employment was Rs50,000. He said he was not against Urdu-speaking people and their culture which was in fact our culture also.
Dr Hayee Baloch said now all oppressed people of the country had joined hands to launch a struggle get rid of the illegal and unconstitutional rulers. He opposed construction of cantonments and mega projects in Balochistan by terming them a conspiracy to control resources of local people and use them for the hegemony of a province.
Mr Shahi Syed said Pakistan and Kalabagh Dam could not go together. He said Gen Musharraf was delivering speeches in support of Kalabagh Dam. He should allow all other generals in the army to exercise this right to come and express their views about Kalabag Dam.
Mr Nisar Kuhro said today people in every street were protesting against the Kalabag Dam and other anti-Sindh projects, but Gen Musharraf had closed his eyes. "We would not allow Gen Musharraf to become Gorbachev by foiling all attempts to disintegrate Pakistan," he added.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah said people were dying of hunger, poverty and thirst in Sindh, the PPP would hold the general accountable after coming to power. Mr Hakim Ali Zardari said that PPP would always side with the people in their every struggle for the rights.
Sardar Abdul Rahim said Pakistan Muslim League-N was with the people of Sindh in their struggle as Mr Nawaz Sharif made it clear that if even a single man was opposed to the project, it should not be built.
Mr Qadir Magsi appealed to the people to make the Ponam's wheel jam and shutter down strike successful. Other speakers included Ms Arena Baloch, Ms Zamia Sheikh, Azeri Qurush, Air Bhambhro, Kamal Chang, Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, Ms Fehmida Mirza, Ms Noor Naz Agha, Ms Shugufta Jumani, Ms Sasui Palejo, Abrar Qazi, Ayaz Lateef Palejo, and Qadir Ranto.
© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2005
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