The issue of water scarcity in Sindh is not new. The book Water Case of Sindh by Rasool Bux Palijo has already documented how, from British rule to the present Pakistani state, efforts have been made to control and divert the Indus River, depriving Sindh of its rightful share of water. Despite international laws and treaties governing the distribution of Indus waters, the construction of canals and dams has continued, restricting the flow of water to Sindh. According to established water laws, lower riparian regions — such as Sindh — hold the legal right to claim water, whereas Punjab, as the upper riparian, should not monopolise its control. However, history has shown a pattern of exploitation, and Sindhis have consistently rejected controversial water projects, just as they opposed the Kala Bagh Dam.
The latest challenge to Sindh’s water rights comes in the form of the ‘Green Initiative Project,’ through which the Pakistani state is constructing six canals over the Indus River. This initiative threatens to further damage Sindh’s agricultural land, leaving vast areas barren and depriving people of essential drinking water. Many regions in Sindh already face severe water shortages, and the expansion of canals and dams will only worsen the crisis. Water is a fundamental resource tied to human and animal survival, yet today, people are forced to buy bottled water due to scarcity. If unchecked, these large-scale projects will only deepen the humanitarian crisis, leading to further droughts, displacement, and loss of life.
Resistance against water exploitation is growing across Sindh. The rejection of the six-canal project mirrors the widespread opposition to the Kala Bagh Dam, which saw nationalist and progressive leaders mobilising communities through education and activism. Today, the people of Sindh have once again taken to the streets, staging protests, marches, and rallies in nearly every district and city.
A crucial aspect of this movement is the participation of women and children. Historically, the Sindhiyani Tehreek played a significant role in mobilising women against the occupation of the Indus River by the ruling elite. Now, a new generation of Sindhi women is carrying forward this legacy. One of the most significant protests took place in the village of Balhreji — famously known as ‘Little Moscow’ — on March 16, 2025, where women led the resistance, demanding their right to water.
The crackdown on Sindh University students further fueled the movement. On March 4, 2025, students organised a rally under the banner of ‘Save River Indus’, only to face state repression. This attempt to silence student activism has only strengthened the resolve of Sindh’s people, uniting communities in their fight against water theft.
The struggle for Sindh’s water is not just a political issue — it is a matter of survival, justice, and human rights. The people of Sindh refuse to remain silent while their lifeline, the Indus River, is exploited for the benefit of the elite. As resistance intensifies, the voices of the oppressed grow louder, demanding an end to the systematic theft of their water. This is a battle for the very existence of Sindh, and the people are ready to fight until justice prevails.
Today, the Pakistani state is facing double issues — one on the side of Balochistan, where people are resisting for their beloved ones who are abducted. The Pakistani establishment has failed in talks and dialogues; hence, they have taken up arms, and now peaceful protesters face bullets and bombs in response to their peaceful sit-ins. If this battle continues, then the Pakistani state will lose half of the country as people will end up asking for freedom from the oppressive forces.
In this situation, we can compare Israel and Palestine to Punjab and Sindh or Balochistan. Punjab’s occupation of the resources of Sindh and Balochistan is creating rebels where youth, children, women, and even the elderly are protesting. This struggle cannot be crushed with weapons; peaceful dialogue is the only solution. The people of Sindh and Balochistan have lost faith in the law because Pakistani forces are illegally trying to silence voices. They have thrown their own constitution into the dustbin.
The writer is a human rights activist and a journalist.
The Struggle for Sindh’s Water: A Battle for Survival
The issue of water scarcity in Sindh is not new. The book Water Case of Sindh by Rasool Bux Palijo has already documented how, from British rule to the present Pakistani state, efforts have been made to control and divert the Indus River, depriving Sindh of its rightful share of water. Despite international laws and treaties governing the distribution of Indus waters, the construction of canals and dams has continued, restricting the flow of water to Sindh. According to established water laws, lower riparian regions — such as Sindh — hold the legal right to claim water, whereas Punjab, as the upper riparian, should not monopolise its control. However, history has shown a pattern of exploitation, and Sindhis have consistently rejected controversial water projects, just as they opposed the Kala Bagh Dam.
The latest challenge to Sindh’s water rights comes in the form of the ‘Green Initiative Project,’ through which the Pakistani state is constructing six canals over the Indus River. This initiative threatens to further damage Sindh’s agricultural land, leaving vast areas barren and depriving people of essential drinking water. Many regions in Sindh already face severe water shortages, and the expansion of canals and dams will only worsen the crisis. Water is a fundamental resource tied to human and animal survival, yet today, people are forced to buy bottled water due to scarcity. If unchecked, these large-scale projects will only deepen the humanitarian crisis, leading to further droughts, displacement, and loss of life.
Resistance against water exploitation is growing across Sindh. The rejection of the six-canal project mirrors the widespread opposition to the Kala Bagh Dam, which saw nationalist and progressive leaders mobilising communities through education and activism. Today, the people of Sindh have once again taken to the streets, staging protests, marches, and rallies in nearly every district and city.
A crucial aspect of this movement is the participation of women and children. Historically, the Sindhiyani Tehreek played a significant role in mobilising women against the occupation of the Indus River by the ruling elite. Now, a new generation of Sindhi women is carrying forward this legacy. One of the most significant protests took place in the village of Balhreji — famously known as ‘Little Moscow’ — on March 16, 2025, where women led the resistance, demanding their right to water.
The crackdown on Sindh University students further fueled the movement. On March 4, 2025, students organised a rally under the banner of ‘Save River Indus’, only to face state repression. This attempt to silence student activism has only strengthened the resolve of Sindh’s people, uniting communities in their fight against water theft.
The struggle for Sindh’s water is not just a political issue — it is a matter of survival, justice, and human rights. The people of Sindh refuse to remain silent while their lifeline, the Indus River, is exploited for the benefit of the elite. As resistance intensifies, the voices of the oppressed grow louder, demanding an end to the systematic theft of their water. This is a battle for the very existence of Sindh, and the people are ready to fight until justice prevails.
Today, the Pakistani state is facing double issues — one on the side of Balochistan, where people are resisting for their beloved ones who are abducted. The Pakistani establishment has failed in talks and dialogues; hence, they have taken up arms, and now peaceful protesters face bullets and bombs in response to their peaceful sit-ins. If this battle continues, then the Pakistani state will lose half of the country as people will end up asking for freedom from the oppressive forces.
In this situation, we can compare Israel and Palestine to Punjab and Sindh or Balochistan. Punjab’s occupation of the resources of Sindh and Balochistan is creating rebels where youth, children, women, and even the elderly are protesting. This struggle cannot be crushed with weapons; peaceful dialogue is the only solution. The people of Sindh and Balochistan have lost faith in the law because Pakistani forces are illegally trying to silence voices. They have thrown their own constitution into the dustbin.
The writer is a human rights activist and a journalist.
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