LONDON: Sindhi activists staged a protest demonstration in front of Pakistan High Commission in London demanding political and economic sovereignty for the Sindh province and a halt to the construction of Greater Thal Canal Project.
According to a press release received here, the rally was organized on the call of Dr Safdar Sarki, chairman World Sindhi Congress to protest the construction of Thal Canal, and alleged economic exploitation of the province.
The rally was attended by the Sindhis and Sindhi Diaspora who came from various corners of the UK. Among others a delegation of MQM headed by Saleem Shehzad, Baloch Marri (son of Sardar Khair Bux Marri) of Baloach Voice, Sussi Palijo of Sindhi Awami Tahreek, Jiji Zarina Baloach and George Anthony of Liberation, Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and many UK based intellectuals participated in the demonstration.
The participants raised slogans against the alleged highhandedness of Punjab, injustices to Sindh, Thal Canal's unfair distribution of waters, human right violations, detention of political and environmental activist and colonial exploitation of Sindh, the release said.
The gathering was addressed by Sussi Palijo, Saleem Shezad and vice chairperson of WSC, Dr Rubina Sheikh. In her speech Sussi Palijo stressed that the Thal Canal is being built to bring prosperity to Punjab and poverty to Sindh.
Saleem Shezad in his speech said that MQM has always worked against anti Sindh designs and will continue to do so. He lamented the construction of Thal canal and other such projects, which are allegedly bound to harm Sindh.
Dr Rubina Sheikh, in her final speech on behalf of WSC, thanked all who came to show their solidarity and support for the righteous struggle of the people of Sindh.
She demanded from all the sane and freedom and justice loving people of Pakistan and world to stop supporting the military, dictatorial, anti-democratic government of Pakistan that is bent to oppress smaller nations in Pakistan.