On March 4, 2025, students from Sindh University in Jamshoro organized a rally to commemorate the 58th anniversary of the 1967 student movement and to protest against the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI). The students fear that these canals could lead to water scarcity in Sindh, adversely affecting agriculture and livelihoods.
The protest escalated as students breached barricades and reached the Indus Highway. In response, police deployed tear gas and baton charges to disperse the demonstrators, leading to injuries among students and law enforcement personnel. Approximately 15 students were detained during the clashes but were later released following negotiations.
The crackdown on protesters has drawn criticism from nationalist leaders and political activists, who condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. They argue that such actions suppress legitimate concerns about the environmental and social impacts of the canal projects.
In a related incident, Dr. Zulfiqar Zounr, an orthopedic surgeon known for his nationalist views, was detained by police hours before he was scheduled to speak at the university event on ‘Student movements and diversion of Indus water to the controversial canals.’ Although he was later released, his detention prevented him from attending the event, raising further concerns about freedom of expression.
These events highlight the growing tensions in Sindh over the GPI and its potential consequences for the region’s water resources and agricultural sustainability.
