Protests against Indus river canals enter 11th day, disrupt traffic, goods supply

LAHORE: A prolonged sit-in protest by lawyers and civil society activists against the proposed construction of six canals from the Indus River has entered its 11th consecutive day, bringing traffic between Sindh and Punjab to a standstill along the National Highway.

The demonstrations, which have grown in size and momentum, have severely disrupted the transportation of essential goods, including petrol and food supplies.

Thousands of trucks and trailers have been stranded for days, with heavy container drivers reporting deterioration of their vehicles due to the prolonged standstill.

Despite Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s assurances that no canal will be built without consensus through the Council of Common Interests (CCI), protesters remain steadfast in their demands.

They insist they will continue their blockade until an official notification confirming the project’s cancellation is issued. Following high-level talks between PM Shehbaz and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the premier announced that the CCI meeting scheduled for May 2 would formally endorse the agreement to suspend the canal projects unless consensus is achieved.

The protests have been staged at multiple locations along the National Highway, including near Mangrio Pump in Daharki, Ghotki, and have now entered their eighth day.

Separate protests, such as the lawyers’ sit-in at Kamoon Shaheed, have also added to the mounting transport disruption. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has appealed to the protesters to unblock the roads, citing the cancellation of the canal project.

However, Shah also alleged that there are two groups of protesters: those genuinely opposed to the project and those attempting to use the situation for political gain.

The protesters’ demands for a formal notification confirming the project’s cancellation have not been met, leading to continued disruptions. The situation remains tense, with protesters determined to achieve their goals. The CCI meeting on May 2 is expected to play a crucial role in determining the fate of the proposed canal projects.