HYDERABAD, May 22: The Sindh Hari Committee on Saturday condemned what they called injustices meted out to smaller provinces, supremacy of Punjab, construction of Thal Canal and Kalabagh Dam and injudicious distribution of resources. The speakers at a public meeting held to mark the 35th death anniversary of Comrade Haider Bux Jatoi warned that the country could not remain intact if the smaller provinces were not given their rights.

The meeting adopted resolutions demanding the abolition of feudal system and allotment of land to haris, grant of autonomy to the provinces and compensation to Sindhi farmers for their losses suffered due to shortage of irrigation water.

It demanded abolition of contract system for fishing in the province.

Sindh Hari Committee leader Comrade Azhar Jatoi said Sindh had been deprived of its right for the last 57 years and the Sindhis were living as slaves. He said Baba-i-Sindh Haider Jatoi fought for the rights of oppressed people, specially peasants, throughout his life.

He said Haider Bux Jatoi was the first leader who tried to awaken the peasants and give them courage to launch a consistent struggle for their rights.

He said a conspiracy was being hatched to divide Sindh through bifurcation of its districts.

He warned that if Sindhis did not launch a struggle against the conspiracy, the main cities in the province would become ‘no-go areas’ for them.

He said that if the rulers wanted to keep the country intact, they would have to draft a new constitution in accordance with the charter of demands of the Pakistan Oppressed Nations’ Movement (PONM).

PONM Vice-President Mehmood Khan Achakzai said the country was being ruled by undemocratic people and the patriotic leaders were often branded as traitors.

He said the People’s Party Parliamentarians and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal were not prepared to launch any movement against the undemocratic government. He declared that the PONM was ready to join any democratic force for the restoration of true democracy in the country.

He said the most important question of the 21st century was that of recognition of different nations. He said the country could not remain intact if the nations were not given their rights.

Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi lamented the lack of struggle for the common cause from one platform. He said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had become the de facto ruler of Sindh.

Seraiki National Movement leader Hameed Asghar Shaheen said the Thal Canal project was being completed while the smaller nations were protesting.