DADU: Activists and leaders of almost all nationalist parties paid respects to G.M. Syed at his gravesite in Sann town on Friday on the occasion of the 30 death anniversary of the father of Sindhi nationalism and reiterated their resolve to protect Sindh’s rights.

The nationalist workers and their supporters, who had arrived from across the province organised multiple events throughout the night and the following day to remember and honour their leader.

G.M. Syed’s grandson Syed Zain Shah, who is also Sindh United Party’s chairman, said at a commemorative gathering that the meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was not decisive on the construction of canals on Indus River. According to 1991 water accord, dams and canals could not be constructed on the Indus, he said.

He said that people sitting on the Council of Common Interests were an outcome of Form 47 hence he had no trust in them. They would only take undemocratic decisions, which would not be accepted, he said.

He said that President Asif Ali Zardari had approved the construction of canals and resolved that the drive against canals would continue and become stronger.

He emphasised that G.M. Syed gave a message of peace and love. He invited all patriots to join the anniversary to demonstrate national unity and promote ideals of harmony and peace, he said.

Highlighting the essence of G.M. Syed’s philosophy, Shah remarked that his politics were rooted in non-violence, dedicating ones’ life to universal brotherhood, global peace and humanity.

About ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, he called for patience and restraint on both nations to avoid any actions that could jeopardise peace in the region. “Today, it is imperative that peace prevails in this area,” he asserted, emphasising the need to uphold the principles G.M. Syed stood for.

The SUP had held the gathering at historic bungalow of G.M. Syed on the riverbank, featuring performances of Sufi poetry by renowned singers.

The party’s program culminated in a torch-bearing procession led by Zain Shah at midnight, which went to G.M. Syed’s gravesite, where the participants placed wreaths on the grave to honour his legacy.

The leaders and activists of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, JSQM-Arisar, Jeay Sindh Tehreek, Jeay Sindh Mahaz and the banned Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz also offered fateha at the gravesite and laid wreaths.

JSQM chief Sanan Qureshi held a separate gathering near the gravesite where he said that construction of canals would not be accepted and they would continue their struggle against the anti-Sindh project.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2025