Railway traffic near Khairpur, Sindh, was restored on Sunday after a three-hour blockade by nationalist party activists protesting the controversial Indus canals dispute. The agitation is part of ongoing resistance to the federal government’s plan to build six new canals on the Indus River, a project that has sparked widespread unrest across Sindh.
Protest Halts Railway Movement
The railway blockade began around 11:30 am near Luqman railway crossing, led by Amjad Mahesar, senior vice chairman of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (Bashir). The protest was in response to a shutter-down strike call issued by the party. Mahesar declared the strike “successful,” claiming that Khairpur city remained completely closed during the demonstration.
Railway officials confirmed that the protest occurred within the Sukkur division’s jurisdiction and not under the Karachi division. The blockade ended peacefully after three hours, allowing train services to resume.
Background of the Canal Project
The $3.3 billion Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) aims to build six canals to irrigate 1.2 million acres of land in South Punjab. However, it has faced strong criticism, especially in Sindh, where concerns over water diversion and resource mismanagement have fueled mass protests.
The Sindh Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against the project in March. Opposition has come not just from nationalist groups but also from major political players like the PPP, farmers, and civil society activists.
Read: Canals Project Dispute: Federal, Sindh Governments Agree
Legal and Political Reactions
The controversy deepened when Additional Attorney General Mohsin Qadir Shahwani informed the Sindh High Court that work on the canals had been halted following the court’s restraining order. Despite this, tensions remain high.
Dialogue Agreed Between Governments
Amid increasing pressure, the federal and Sindh governments have agreed to engage in dialogue to resolve the dispute. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif directed relevant authorities to open talks with Sindh’s leadership. However, the situation on the ground remains tense.
Lawyers Join the Protest
Adding to the momentum, lawyers across Sindh have staged sit-ins and blocked highways. In Khairpur, a sit-in at the Babarloi bypass continues, led by prominent bar associations including the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) and the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA).
KBA and Hyderabad Bar leaders have vowed to escalate their protest if their demands are not met. A committee will decide whether to boycott court proceedings or resume rail blockades.
What Comes Next?
The situation remains fluid. With railway and road traffic already disrupted and major political players involved, the canals issue is shaping into a major regional flashpoint. Whether dialogue can resolve the matter or protests intensify further remains to be seen.
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