Pakistan’s Establishment Intents to Turn Sindh into a Cantonment, says Sarang Joyo

Karachi: JSQM-Arisar, a Sindhi Nationalist Political Party, is leading a long March against the construction of six canals and the Green Cooperative Initiative. Across the Sindh province, from cities to villages, protests have erupted against these projects, which many believe will devastate the province—turning it into a desert and endangering livelihoods of Sindhis.

The Long march began in Sindh’s Sukkur district on January 28, 2024, led primarily by young Sindhi students who lack financial backing or strong political support. Sarang Joyo, president of the Sindh Sujag Forum, praised the determination of those marching from Sukkur to Karachi. “Despite having minimal financial resources and little political support from other political parties, they are leading this march, which is itself a significant act of resistance against the six canals and the Green Cooperative Initiative,” Joyo said. Further also added that young women and girls have actively participated in the long march.

For the past several months, Sindh has been rejecting the proposed six canals and the Green Cooperative Initiative. Critics argue that the canals will further reduce Sindh’s water supply, as Punjab already receives a larger share. If completed, they warn, the canals will accelerate the desertification of Sindh. Meanwhile, the Green Cooperative Initiative, which aims to acquire more than 52,713 acres of Sindh’s land, is seen as a direct threat to the province’s resources and people.

Sindh Opposes Six Canals and Green Cooperative Initiative

Aslam Kherpuri, a leader of JSQM-Arisar, spoke to The Rise News and said that Pakistani establishment once wanted Bengal, but not Bengalis. Now, he argued, the same formula is being applied to Sindh—they want Sindh its resources, but not Sindhis.

“The essential purpose of our long march is to raise awareness among Sindhis and unite all political parties on a single platform, just as they did in opposition to the Kalabagh Dam. A similar movement is now necessary to resist the construction of six canals and the Green Cooperative Initiative,” Kherpuri said.

Joyo explained that the six canals are being constructed to support the Green Cooperative Initiative, as the agricultural projects planned on the acquired land will require water and other resources. “They will obtain these resources by building the six canals. Again, both projects are harmful, and Sindh will not survive their consequences,” he said.

Asad Sindhiyar, president of the JSQM-Arisar student’s wing, said that an overwhelming number of Sindhis have supported long march—far more than expected. “This long march is against every action that harms to Sindh, including enforced disappearances, religious extremism, cooperative farming, six canals, and the presence of security forces in educational institutes. This march will help strengthen the political movement in province,” he said.

Turning Sindh into a Cantonment

Joyo lambasted the Pakistani establishment, questioning why it seeks to control Sindh’s land under pretext of Green Cooperative Initiative. “The reason,” he shared, “is to crush the political movement in the province.”

He claimed that as the political landscape in the region shifts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan may no longer remain part of Pakistan, affecting the future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh. He further alleged that the establishment intends to create cantonments in every city of Sindh under the guise of the cooperative farming project.

Jogo also raised concerns about the purpose of farming in Gorakh Hill, questioning its relevance. “This is not about agriculture,” he said. It is about expanding control—first in Thana Boola Khan, then Ranikot, and now Sakrand, where a cantonment has already been established. He challenged the authorities, asking, “What is the purpose of building a cantonment in a city?”

When asked about the motive behind establishing cantonments, he responded, “They want to suppress any political movement in Sindh because, without Sindh, this country cannot survive.”

PPP Supports Six Canals

Aslam accused Pakistan’s Peoples Party (PPP) of supporting the construction of six canals while simultaneously handing over Sindh’s land to the establishment over pretext of cooperative farming.

He reaffirmed his determination, stating that just as Sindh forced the federal government to abandon the Kalabagh Dam project, it would also compel authorities to reverse the decision on the six canals. “However, he added, “PPP has become another Chanesar, deceiving Sindh. And Sindhis will never forget its role.”