KARACHI: Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah inaugurated the seventh edition of the Sindh Literature Festival at the Liaquat Memorial Library, featuring various sessions and discussions on art, literature, history, politics and musical performances.

This year’s theme, ‘Save Indus, Save Life’, highlights the Indus River with special sessions and a poetry recital honouring its legacy.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the minister highlighted the importance of forums like literature festivals, which provide opportunities for youth to engage in insightful discussions and learn.

He noted that the seventh edition of the festival was unique as it also included discussions on the case of the Indus River, which he described as vital for Sindh’s survival. He also stated that no compromise would be made on the Indus River.

Education Minister Sardar Shah says injustice being done to Sindh for decades over water distribution

He said that literary activities promoted tolerance and inclusivity, which have played a crucial role in curbing extremism in Sindh. That progress, he added, had been possible due to the cultural dynamism in the province.

‘Injustice to Sindh’

Minister Sardar Shah said that Sindh has faced injustices under the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) Accord and is currently grappling with severe water shortages.

He pointed out that the Irsa Accord had only addressed surface water, but the time had come to demand accountability for groundwater as well. He urged the inclusion of groundwater usage in the Irsa Accord, emphasising that past flawed decisions by the federal government had rendered Sindh’s groundwater unusable.

Mr Shah called upon the federal government to equitably distribute all usable water resources across the country and highlighted that water experts had recommended releasing one million cusecs of water into the sea annually to prevent disasters.

He said that neglecting this could lead to the submergence of Badin, Thatta, and Sujawal, and by 2060, Karachi could also come under the influence of seawater.

He emphasised that the Indus River faced major challenges due to the practice of constructing barrages and dams for decades.

He recalled that the British had built the first dam under the guise of irrigation, laying the foundation for restriction of the river’s natural flow. While barrages were built, the river’s natural flow was diverted into canals, blocking natural waterways and causing floods.

The minister further stated that when three rivers were sold, the Indus River lost 25 per cent of its water. In 1965, the Indus Waters Treaty was signed, selling Punjab’s three rivers to India, leading to the destruction of the vast delta spread over millions of acres. The river, which used to carry silt to the sea for centuries, has been severely impacted, advancing the sea further inland. The destruction of the delta is a warning sign that the rest of Sindh may also face devastation due to the lack of water, he added.

The minister pointed out that Sindh has 12 million acres of arable land, but in summer, only 4.5 million acres can be cultivated due to water shortages. He warned that if more canals are constructed, water will not reach downstream areas like Guddu.

A large number of people attended various programmes on the first day of the event. Folk artists enthralled the audience with their performances.

Various discussions and sessions on art, literature, Sindh’s history and politics were also held.

The festival will conclude on Sunday (today).

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2024