Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) and Sindh Protest against GPI


Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) and Sindh Protest against GPI




 The current situation regarding Sindhi protests over water issues in Sindh, particularly in relation to the Sindh government’s stance and the broader water crisis, is marked by widespread unrest, political maneuvering, and significant public opposition to the federal government’s canal projects on the Indus River. These protests, ongoing as of April 2025, center on fears that new canals, part of the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), will further reduce Sindh’s water share, exacerbating existing shortages and threatening agriculture and ecosystems. Below is a detailed overview based on recent developments:

Overview of the Protests
  • Cause of Protests: The protests stem from the federal government’s plan to construct six new canals on the Indus River, with five drawing water from the Indus and one from the Sutlej, under the GPI. Sindh, a lower riparian province heavily dependent on the Indus, fears these canals—particularly the Cholistan Canal in Punjab—will divert its water share, worsening shortages. The project, costing $3.3 billion, aims to irrigate 4.8 million acres, including desert land in Punjab’s Cholistan region, but has sparked outrage in Sindh due to perceived threats to its water security.
  • Scale and Participation: Protests have spread across Sindh, involving nationalist parties (e.g., Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, Qaumi Awami Tehreek), farmers, lawyers, writers, civil society, and local communities. Demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies have occurred in cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Khairpur, and Sujawal. Notable actions include:
    • Lawyers in Khairpur staging a three-day sit-in, disrupting traffic between Punjab and Sindh.
    • Nationalist groups blocking railroad tracks, halting train operations.
    • A “Save the Indus Awareness March” in Hyderabad, where protesters vowed to continue until the canal project is abandoned.
  • Public Sentiment: The protests reflect deep frustration over historical water inequities, with Sindh facing 40–45% water shortages compared to Punjab’s 15% (1999–2023 data from the Indus River System Authority, IRSA). Social media posts on X highlight public anger, with claims that Punjab’s leaders and media mock Sindh’s concerns, accusing Sindhis of “wasting” water. Some posts warn that Sindh is being “pushed toward violence” due to being ignored.
Sindh Government’s Stance
The Sindh government, led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, has positioned itself as opposing the canal project, aligning with public sentiment while navigating its role in the federal coalition government. Key actions and statements include:
  • Public Opposition:
    • Murad Ali Shah: On April 20, 2025, Shah declared that the canal project would “die down” before the 2025–26 federal budget, signaling strong resistance. He criticized Punjab for increasing water diversions to the Taunsa-Panjnad (TP) Link Canal and accused the federal government of misleading statements about the project’s progress.
    • Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari: The PPP chairman, speaking at a Hyderabad rally on April 18, 2025, warned the federal government (led by PML-N) to abandon the canal project or risk the PPP exiting the coalition. He emphasized that Sindh’s water rights are non-negotiable.
    • Shazia Marri: A PPP spokesperson reiterated public rejection of the canals, noting that Hyderabad’s residents, facing severe water shortages, have outright opposed the project.
  • Official Actions:
    • The Sindh Assembly passed a unanimous resolution in March 2025 against the canal project, reflecting cross-party consensus.
    • On April 15, 2025, Sindh’s Irrigation Minister, Jam Khan Shoro, formally protested to IRSA over the opening of the TP Link Canal, demanding its immediate closure. Shoro cited a 62% water shortage in Sindh during early April 2025 (compared to Punjab’s 54%) and argued that operating the canal during a declared drought was an “injustice.” He requested more water releases to Sindh to balance allocations under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
  • Criticism of Federal Government: The Sindh government has accused the federal government of bypassing the Council of Common Interests (CCI), a constitutional body for inter-provincial disputes, and ignoring Sindh’s concerns.
  • Skepticism and Allegations: Despite its vocal opposition, the PPP faces skepticism from protesters and opposition groups. Some allege that President Asif Ali Zardari assented to the canal project in 2024, and the PPP’s public stance is a “facade” to placate Sindh’s residents while covertly supporting the GPI. Critics, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Altaf Hussain, have called the project a “Green Punjab Project” that prioritizes Punjab at Sindh’s expense. There are also unverified claims on X that the Sindh government issued notifications permitting the canals, fueling distrust.
Water Crisis Context
  • Water Shortages: Sindh faces chronic water shortages, receiving 20% less than its 48.76 million acre-feet (MAF) allocation under the 1991 Accord. In early April 2025, Sindh experienced a 62% shortage relative to the Accord, with downstream areas like Badin and Thatta facing acute deficits. IRSA reported a 43% water shortage for the early Kharif 2025 season, with Sindh alleging that Punjab drew excess water, violating agreed shares.
  • Environmental Impact: Reduced Indus flows have led to a 75% reduction in freshwater to the Indus Delta, causing seawater intrusion, land degradation, and loss of 1.2 million acres of agricultural land. The 2022 floods, which devastated 4.4 million acres in Sindh, and ongoing drought conditions in eight districts (e.g., Shikarpur) highlight the province’s vulnerability.
  • Punjab-Sindh Tensions: Punjab’s letter to IRSA on April 9, 2025, blamed Sindh for drawing excess water, escalating tensions. Sindh countered that Punjab’s operation of the TP Link Canal and underreporting at Sindh barrages skewed water distribution.
Broader Developments
  • International Attention: On March 20, 2025, the World Sindhi Congress protested at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighting the canal project’s impact on Sindh’s agriculture and alleging “genocide” through resource deprivation. Protesters demanded international intervention to address water rights and human rights violations.
  • Political Dynamics: The PPP’s dual role as Sindh’s ruling party and a federal coalition partner has complicated its position. While it threatens to exit the coalition, its “lackluster” approach and delayed response have drawn criticism. Nationalist parties and civil society groups have unified under the “Save River Indus” movement, which is gaining momentum as a mass movement.
  • Recent Protests: As of April 22, 2025, protests continued in Sukkur, with locals, including lawyers from Karachi, participating in sit-ins against the canals and Sindh’s reduced water share. Murad Ali Shah, speaking at Ziauddin University on April 16, vowed to sustain protests over the 50% water shortage and demanded the canals’ closure.
Sindh Government’s Challenges
  • Balancing Act: The PPP must address public anger while maintaining its federal coalition ties. Its critics argue it has not challenged the federal government or the military-backed GPI aggressively enough.
  • Water Management Issues: The Sindh government faces internal criticism for mismanaging water resources. For example, Karachi receives only 50% of its water needs, with reliance on water tankers and illegal hydrants exacerbating local crises.
  • Flood and Drought Response: The government’s slow response to 2024 floods, which displaced 140,000 people and destroyed 500,000 acres of farmland, has compounded public discontent. Survivors report inadequate aid, with many relying on NGOs.
Conclusion
The Sindhi protests over water in April 2025 reflect deep-seated fears of losing water rights to Punjab’s canal projects under the Green Pakistan Initiative. The Sindh government, led by the PPP, has publicly opposed the canals, with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari threatening federal coalition withdrawal and passing assembly resolutions. However, skepticism persists due to allegations of covert support and delayed action. Protests, involving diverse groups and spreading across Sindh, highlight the province’s 40–45% water shortage, environmental degradation, and historical grievances. The situation remains volatile, with calls for transparent water distribution, CCI involvement, and international attention to avert further escalation.
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