Leonardo da Vinci is supposed to have said: "Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence."
It beggars belief that the Urdu-speaking community has remained aloof so far when it comes to raising their voice against the controversial project called canals, to be extracted from the Indus River to irrigate the Cholistan desert, specifically for corporate farming – part of the Green Pakistan Initiative. The ambitious Cholistan canals project aims to irrigate a total of 4.8 million acres (1.9 million hectares) of barren land by constructing six canals.
Recently, I posted on my Facebook wall, "#Nomorecanals on the Indus." Upon seeing this post, a former colleague from Karachi responded in the comment box, asking "why?" This question sparked the idea of writing an article highlighting the detachment on the basis of language from pressing issues like the ongoing fight for water injustice and subsequent looming disasters emanating from controversial canals, and the silence by the Urdu-speaking community.
Implications of language-based identity politics
The Urdu-speaking community's prioritisation of language-based identity over pressing issues like water injustice is concerning. This detachment by prominent community leaders suggests misplaced priorities and an overly narrow focus. In this, the leaders deprive their community of an opportunity for growth. By recognising and addressing this detachment on the part of its leadership, the community may be able to refocus on more pressing issues and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future.
The disasters looming large over Sindh
It would be useful at this stage to examine the nature and scale of the challenge that Sindh’s communities are facing due to the controversial canal proposals. This would illustrate what is at stake for the collective wellbeing of all who live in Sindh:
- water scarcity: Sindh is already facing a severe water crisis. The Indus River is the primary source of water for the province, and the construction of new canals would further reduce the water flow, exacerbating the existing water scarcity issues.
- environmental degradation: the Indus River is not only a source of water but also a vital ecosystem that supports a wide range of flora and fauna. The construction of new canals would disrupt the natural flow of the river, leading to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and increased soil salinity.
- impact on agriculture: given that agriculture is the backbone of Sindh's economy, and the construction of new canals, as per expert opinions, would have devastating effects on the agricultural sector. The reduced water flow would lead to crop failures, decreased agricultural productivity, and economic losses for farmers.
- displacement of communities: the construction of new canals would also lead to the displacement of communities living along the riverbanks. These communities have lived there for generations, and their livelihoods are deeply connected to the river.
- lack of consultation: the construction of new canals is done on the issuance of water availability certificate by IRSA, whose credibility has been questioned, that too, without proper consultation with the local communities and stakeholders. This lack of consultation ignores the concerns and needs of the people who would be most affected by the project.
Political heavyweights questioning the modus operandi
A recent video went viral in which one could hear PPP leader from Punjab, Chaudhry Manzoor, as he was addressing CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz and subsequently asking as to which canal in Punjab is being closed to run the Cholistan canals, given that water in the system is insufficient for agricultural needs in the province. Further, he said that the monsoon season starts from July and ultimately diminishes after August. Will water for agricultural activity called corporate farming be provided water for three months? He minced no words and criticised Punjab for pursuing corporate farming versus ordinary farmers. He also made it clear that redirecting water share possessed by the province is in the domain of the provincial government, but this redirection will be at the expense of curtailing water from certain districts since water in the system is disproportionate to existing agricultural needs in the province.
Sharing similar concerns, senior lawyer and veteran politician Aitzaz Ahsan emphasised that no province can take another province's water without consequences. Ahsan conveyed his concern in no uncertain terms that the disputed project will undermine Pakistan. It is very difficult to disagree with the brilliant barrister as we have an economic framework that is both pro-rich and pro-capitalist.
The Shehbaz Sharif-led government continues to shut its eyes to the agitation launched against the looming strangulation of the Indus
If agriculture, a source of livelihood for the majority not only in Sindh province but also in the country, is undermined through corporate farming, then what remains for the population heavily reliant on agriculture and subsequently dependent on the Indus water? The system can't afford carelessness and blundering into disaster. The tide against canals is so high and justified that the Pakistan Peoples Party, a coalition partner in the central government, has taken to the streets to register its voice against the controversial irrigation project.
Flogging the dead horse
As if the canal controversy wasn't enough, Punjab Irrigation Minister Qasim Pirzada has added fuel to the fire by reviving the Kalabagh Dam controversy, suggesting it should be constructed. However, flogging the dead horse called Kalabagh Dam, which has been buried under the weight of resolutions passed in the assemblies of Sindh, KP and Balochistan, is nothing but political arrogance. This speaks volumes about how Punjab, the big brother, behaves towards smaller provinces. And this is happening in the name of utilising floodwater. Remember, arrogance can stifle political scholarship much-needed for federal unity.
Corporate farming is seen as a swarm of locusts, threatening the agricultural prosperity of Sindh and subsequently plunging the riparian province into social unrest and economic anarchy. Besides, corporate farming will cause financial dehydration for local farmers, thanks to the patronage and privileges granted to powerful local and international investors. Reportedly, farmers across Pakistan have planned to launch a countrywide protest against corporate farming under the Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI). The protest will be organised by a coalition of farmer organisations, including the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, Anjuman Mazareen Punjab, Hari Jedojehad Committee, and the Crofter Foundation, against the perceived consequences of corporate farming for small landowners in terms of livelihoods and displacement. Protesters will also demand an end to controversial canal construction projects in southern Punjab and call for the distribution of public sector agricultural lands among peasants. Additionally, they are asking for a fixed wheat purchase price of Rs 4,000 per 40 kg during the ongoing harvesting season.
Ordinary farmers are already facing economic exploitation in our country. Remember exploitative market conditions, when institutionalised, can be measured from the prevailing circumstances that compel wheat growers to sell their produce at a reduced price, as low as Rs 2,150 to 2,200 per maund (40 kg) in Sindh. Whereas, the price of chemical fertilisers like Urea and DAP, and pesticides and hybrid seeds, being sold by the capitalists, are not brought down. Oligarchy in the decision-making centers favors monkey business applied by cruel crony industrialists.
Keeping mum about the looming agricultural, ecological, environmental, and humanitarian misery stemming from the controversial canal project on the Indus River is miserable in every political context. Who are they trying to please with their silence?
Actions speak louder than words
Climate change, water scarcity, droughts and disease-prone crops resulting from erratic weather are some of the challenges that need to be tackled professionally and addressed intelligently, rather than initiating upstream water projects that spell agricultural, humanitarian and ecological crises for the riparian and the second most populated province.
The Shehbaz Sharif-led government continues to shut its eyes to the agitation launched against the looming strangulation of the Indus, the "River of life," through canals to be extracted from the Indus. Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz is wet behind the ears; hence she can't grasp the gravity of the ongoing crises emanating from the disputed irrigation project. The many elephants in the room pose a threat to federal unity, interprovincial harmony, and the social fabric, which is already fragile in the country.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, speaking in the National Assembly, assured that Sindh's share of water would not be compromised due to the proposed six-canal project over the Indus River, adding further he said, "The government is dealing with the issue of water distribution with transparency and care."
"I urged my colleagues not to make any decisions without full consultation. We are partners, not dictators," Dar stressed, confirming that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had not approved the project and that stakeholder consent was still pending.
If the Deputy Prime Minister's words are taken seriously, a logical question arises: despite the contentious project being challenged in the CCI and ECNEC not giving the green light, how was the Cholistan canal project inaugurated? Under what legal provisions was it inaugurated, and why was work in progress at the site, exposed by the media? The means and methods applied for hasty execution speak volumes. In principle, it should have started only after receiving approval from the relevant constitutional forum and stakeholders concerned. Verbal assurances given by the DPM carry no weight. Instead, the PM himself should prioritise a clear-cut policy by issuing an administrative order to place a cap on the controversial canals in question.
The seawater encroachment unleashing agricultural and drinking water crises
The facts and figures about the dying paradise of Indus Delta and subsequent catastrophic conditions presented in an Op-ed titled "Agriculture: The Slow death of the Indus Delta" jointly written by Dr Aneela Hameed Memon and Dr Abdul Ghani Soomro, should be an eye-opener for both those living in urban centers and those insisting upon construction of disputed canals on the Indus River.
"According to a 2019 study by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, approximately 2.2 million acres of fertile land have been rendered unproductive due to seawater encroachment. Historical satellite imagery and field observations indicate that seawater intrusion has steadily progressed inland, particularly in districts such as Thatta, Badin, and Sujawal, which were once thriving agricultural zones. Additionally, research from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) highlights that coastal erosion has accelerated due to the reduced flow of freshwater, resulting in a loss of over 10,000 hectares of mangrove forests, a crucial natural barrier against seawater intrusion. The groundwater in coastal regions has become highly saline, making it unsuitable for both drinking and irrigation purposes. The drinking water crisis is not limited to the coastal region; it is also affecting major cities, including Karachi, Hyderabad, and Thatta. Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, depends on the Indus River for nearly 90% of its water supply, primarily sourced from the Kenjhar Lake, which is fed by the Indus." Irrigating virgin deserts at the cost of leaving fertile land untended is a costly project in every imaginable way.
A reminder to Karachiites
Recently a video went viral in which Naseer Memon, a development professional and a consultant on climate-induced disasters, community resilience and public policy expert could be heard saying recently in a veiled reference to the Urdu-speaking ethnic community of Karachi, "If you are silent on the basis of language, then you are reminded that 85% of Karachi's water resources are linked to the Indus River. Not only this, but the food you consume also depends on the Indus River. The food items and groceries you purchase are not grown on the shelves of supermarkets. The whole human existence, culture, civilisation, food security, and more are intricately linked to the Indus River, making Karachi extremely vulnerable. Karachi is situated on fault lines in terms of sea cyclones. Mangroves are a natural shield to prevent sea cyclones. And mangroves need freshwater. Every time, divine intervention saves us from being devastated by such calamities. Naseer Memon rightly remarked, 'For how long will Abdullah Shah Ghazi continue to protect us from these recurring disasters?' He said Abdullah Shah Ghazi is now tired of protecting us. We need to take charge of the affairs that affect our collective life."
To sum up
The Urdu-speaking community can't afford to be neutral in circumstances such as these, demanding their political participation in the agitation launched against the grand scheme of watering Cholistan desert. Sindh fears its water will be diverted from its share, as the available water in the system is insufficient to meet existing agricultural needs, not only in the country but also specifically in Sindh province.
What the Urdu-speaking population needs to realise is that the population living in the province is facing a threat to its survival, people's sources of livelihood, and also an ecological disaster due to the looming water scarcity caused by the canals on the Indus River. Since this is a common threat to all living in Sindh, carving out a common ground in terms of building a united front against the canals is imperative. The proposal for six canals, irrespective of their locations, for corporate farming is seen as diverting the Indus River - the lifeline for those living in Sindh. And it is akin to shackling the Indus River that irrigates lands in Sindh, in the name of the proposed agricultural revolution called corporate farming.
All cautionary tales shared by water experts and concerns conveyed by those agitating against the canals seemingly fall on deaf ears. Under such circumstances, only a unified political stand can ward off the arrogant approaches applied by those in power corridors. An across-the-board resistance should be on the political horizon to bring an end to corporate farming, as it is supposed to unleash multidimensional consequences for the population of Sindh and ordinary farmers growing grains for the province.
In Sindh, people from across the social strata have demanded that those pursuing corporate farming in the name of progress give lands to landless farmers while prioritising a water-efficient irrigation system for them instead of feeding and facilitating national and international capitalists through coercive acts. Corporate farming is seen as a swarm of locusts, threatening the prosperity of small landowners and farmers.
Certain experts have shared cautionary tales, expressing strong reservations about the consequences of corporate farming in various countries. They say it will likely increase food security for international investors, but cause food insecurity in the country. Nadeem Shah Jamot, Vice President of the Sindh Abadgar Board, recently expressed concerns about corporate farming in a TV talk, highlighting its potential negative impact on small landowners and farmers. He believes the practice prioritises capitalist interests, ultimately benefiting international investors at the expense of local communities. He pointed to examples like Egypt, where corporate farming had had crippling consequences, as a warning for Pakistan.
The way forward
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on April 6 staged a sit-in outside the Karachi Press Club and led a rally to Empress Market against the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River. Addressing the protest, Functional League Sindh General Secretary and GDA Information Secretary Sardar Abdul Rahim, called upon the people of Karachi to rise up against the illegal extraction of water from the Indus River through these canals, warning that "Karachi receives 85 percent of its water from the river and that without downstream flow, water supply to the city would become impossible". "International organisations are also warning that Sindh's water resources are drying up," Rahim said. "Urdu and other language-speaking residents of Karachi must unite with their Sindhi brethren to save the Indus River. We are deeply concerned. Karachi will be severely affected," he added. "The slogan 'No Canals, No Copies' should echo from Karachi. If Karachi rises, the entire country will awaken."
With the participation of political parties from diverse backgrounds, such as the nationalists, the GDA, the PPP, the religious parties, university students, Abadgar Associations, bar associations, and school-going children, and last but not least farmers, the anti-canal movement has morphed into a grassroots-level agitation against the ambitious corporate farming in question.
The federal government's non-serious attitude towards the smoldering controversy over the canals in question in Sindh and pockets of Punjab is evident from the fact that certain federal ministers continue to issue irrational and inflammatory statements against peaceful protesters.
We need to take the helm in terms of addressing the problems that affect our lives. To be silent spectators over the canal project, which, according to water expert opinions and independent minds, spells disaster for Sindh, is nothing short of political callousness. The water shortage recently reached 50 percent following Tarbela and Mangla Dams hitting dead levels, threatening kharif crops such as sugarcane, maize, cotton, and mangoes, etc. And drought conditions declared in various districts of Sindh and the fallout are seen as a prelude to the worst water scarcity to be caused by the disputed irrigation project.
One is dismayed that while the province is facing simmering tension over the upstream water project, Pakistan Peoples Party heavyweights and MQM bigwigs have started a tug-of-war over petty political issues. Some call it friendly firing, and others call it a move to divert attention from the ongoing anti-canal struggle. Whereas, some foresee it as a return to the politics of hate and subsequent violence that hijacked the city of lights for decades, consequently undermining communal cohesion. Let this not happen.
Anchor person Ameer Abbas recently remarked, rightly so, that the time has come for the MQM to decide whether it will continue with pro-status quo or pro-people politics. Given both the federal and Punjab governments are in state of denial and defiance, the struggle against water injustice has intensified. The anti-canal movement launched by the legal fraternity marks a new chapter in the history of resistance—not to mention Sindhi nationalists' hunger strike led by Dr Niaz Kalani.
The prevailing picture of flying dust and sand from Kotri downstream to Sukkur Barrage paints a bigger picture for the architects of the controversial scheme and those who have remained aloof from the ongoing anti-canal movement than the words in this piece can portray. Our collective future, food security and economic prosperity are linked to the flow of the Indus River.
If you don't own the language and the land you are living on, not only are all your other moral and political credentials questionable in every context, but you also cut off the branch you are sitting on. Strength lies in unity. The political representative bodies of the Urdu-speaking community, such as MQM Pakistan and PSP, have maintained a proverbial silence on the canal crisis. What the Urdu and other language-speaking Sindhis need to focus on is that united we stand, divided we fall.
Collective approach against unilateral decisions can change the course of history.
As the Mongolian proverb puts it: "A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle."