In a determined show of unity, Sindhi Adabi Sangat Shikarpur staged a protest rally here on Sunday against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River, a project they vow to resist at all costs.

Marching from Jagan Nath Library to Shikarpur Press Club, participants carried placards and banners as they chanted slogans opposing canals’ construction.

The rally, featuring poets and civil society representatives, resonated with traditional Sindhi songs, echoing their deep connection to the land. Protesters called on the government to retract its decision, emphasizing the project’s threat to their livelihood. Prominent leaders, including Zubair Soomro and Sajjad Mahar, expressed staunch opposition, citing detrimental impacts on water resources and agriculture.

Speakers at the event condemned the federal government’s actions, framing the canal project as an “economic murder” of Sindh’s residents. They denounced amendments to the IRSA Act and corporate farming initiatives, asserting the Indus River’s essential role in Sindh’s survival. The rally concluded with a pledge to protect the river until the end, underscoring a collective commitment to safeguarding its resources.