Islamabad: There has been tremendous violence over water in Pakistan's Sindh province. This uproar over water, which has been going on for several weeks, has now turned violent. According to Dawn, a protester died on Tuesday during clashes in Moro city of Naushahro Firoz, the home district of Sindh province's Home Minister Zia Lanjar. Apart from this, the protesters have burnt the house of the Home Minister of Sindh province. Dawn has said that six other policemen including a DSP have been injured in the fierce violence. Apart from this, Dawn has reported dozens of other people being injured in its report. Dawn has said that many vehicles have been burnt on the roads and an atmosphere of chaos is being seen.
According to the report, violence broke out on Tuesday when the police started lathi-charging to disperse the protest organized by Sindh Saba against the proposed construction of new canals on the Indus River. After which the protesters blocked the Moro bypass road to register their protest. There has been a long-running conflict over water in Sindh province.
Bilawal's workers shoot at protestors
Complete chaos in Sind https://t.co/csUYe9GNOj pic.twitter.com/3l7a7kSFDY
— Kreately.in (@KreatelyMedia) May 21, 2025
Why are violent protests happening for water in Sindh?
Let us tell you that in February 2025, the Pakistan government announced a plan to build 6 new canals on the Indus river system. Under this scheme, canals are to be constructed in Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh. But critics say that through the dam, the Pakistan government wants to transfer Sindh's water to Punjab province, with the aim of diverting water to 1.9 million hectares of barren land in Punjab. Sindh residents believe that the project violates their water rights and could be disastrous for the already water-scarce region.
According to Pakistan Today, Sindh province is already facing a water crisis. Between 1999 and 2023, Sindh faced an average water shortage of 40%, while Punjab faced a shortage of 15%. Due to this water crisis, 2.5 million acres of mango orchards and other crops are on the verge of drying up. Apart from this, agricultural land in coastal areas is also being affected by the encroachment of seawater. Various political parties, civil organizations and farmers unions have staged protests in Sindh. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) organised rallies from Larkana to Thatta, while organisations such as Sindh United Party, Sindh Abadgar Ittehad and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz also participated in the protest.
