Karachi, March 9: Pakistan has been rocked by a wave of protests in recent days, with citizens expressing their outrage against what they describe as government policies that harm the people and violate the rights of Sindh.
The protests have mainly targeted corporate farming practices and the planned construction of six new canals in Sindh, according to local media reports.
One of the largest demonstrations, the Mehnatkash Aurat Rally, saw working-class women taking to the streets in a powerful display of dissent. Starting at the Youth Auditorium and culminating at the Arts Council of Pakistan, the rally attracted a diverse crowd, including women, men, farmers, and members of the transgender community from various regions.
The rally was spearheaded by Zehra Khan, General Secretary of the Home-Based Women Workers Federation. Khan led the crowd in chants against the water projects in Sindh, land grabs, and the ongoing food crisis that is affecting the region. She told The Express Tribune that Sindh’s very survival is at risk due to the government’s actions.
Khan warned that the province’s civilization is in peril, citing challenges such as climate change, floods, exploitation of water resources, and the destruction of the Indus Delta, which has put millions of Sindhis at risk. She emphasized that these issues have led to widespread migration from the region, dwindling crop yields, and a deepening food crisis. Khan also called for solidarity from progressive groups in Punjab, urging them to oppose the canal policies that threaten Sindh’s future.
The Mehnatkash Aurat Rally also addressed gender-based oppression, regressive social attitudes, and discrimination against women. Protesters called on the people of Punjab and progressive forces nationwide to stand in unity with Sindh, highlighting that the ruling elite is aligned in pushing forward policies that harm the region. Dawn newspaper reported that protesters condemned the actions of the ruling elite and expressed their commitment to challenging such policies.
Farmers were among the largest groups at the rally, strongly opposing the canal projects and voicing their support for Sindh’s rights.
In a separate demonstration, the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) and the Hyderabad Bar Council organized a protest in Karachi against the controversial canal projects, the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the land handovers for corporate farming, and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Dawn reported that the lawyers' protest caused disruptions on Sharea Faisal near the FTC flyover and roads leading to the press club.
The protesting lawyers claimed that a "One-Unit" system was being imposed on the country and that construction on the canal projects had advanced without the required approval from the Council of Common Interest. They argued that the people have rejected these projects and vowed to continue their resistance.
Around 500-600 lawyers took part in the protest, chanting slogans before dispersing peacefully.
