THIS refers to the article ‘Watering Cholistan’ (Nov 8), which lamented the fact that the Cholistan canal project was affecting Sindh, and discussed the issue about how the flood canal has been conv-erted into a perennial canal.

More surprising for majority of people in Sindh is the reference to the presidential assent to the scheme. Sindh is no stranger to water shortages. The Chashma-Jhehlum link canal is another project already having a negative impact on farmers.

The big landlords of the province have never been affected by past water shortages caused by schemes in Punjab. These landlords are not expected to be impacted by future water shortages as well.

Unlike Punjab, the landlords in Sindh have been doing more injustice to small farmers by diverting water to their land-holdings. On the one hand, the landlords supported by the government have been encroaching and buying the lands from their black money, while, on the other hand, they continue digging watercourses to irrigate their large landholdings.

The landlords have a licence to do whatever they want. From where does the common man seek justice when the ones who pose themselves as their guar-dians are themselves the biggest exploiters and a ruthless mafia? Should we blame Punjab when we face such indifference from the government in Sindh itself?

Gulsher Panhwer
Johi

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2024