Thirteenth Day of the Long March & International Rivers Day (14th March 2010)
The revolutionary Long March of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum ultimately entered in its last day. The caravan started its journey of the last day from Nasim Nagar Chowk. Thousands of supporters welcomed and joined the march. The march moved towards Almanzar Jamshoro via Wadhu Wah, Jamshoro Road, Phuleli and Kotri Barrage. When the caravan was marching, it was seemed as the entire Sindh is marching. The emotional slogans of the marchers especially those of women and children were sufficient to move the heart and soul of an ordinary man. The slogans of the marchers included “Dam Dam, Shame Shame”, “We want, Restoration of the River”, “We condemn, all the Dams”, “Decommission Tarbella, Save Sindh”, March March, Long March” etc.
The march was moving towards the bed of the Indus River where this march was to be converted into the ceremony of International Rivers Day. The venue for the ceremony, at the time of arrangement, seemed to be extra large for the participants but when the marched entered the venue, it was proved to be insufficient for such a great crowd. There were people up to the limit of eyesight. As it was observed during the entire process of the long march, a large number of people from civil societies and political parties also joined in the ceremony. It is noteworthy that more than half of the participants were women.
The ceremony was formally started with the verses of Shah Abdul Latif by Mr. Amb Gopang who was followed by Mr. Azad Rahi who sang the song of Ustad Bukhari. Mr. Hussain Jarwar, Mr. Sami Memon and Mr. Sabir Jarwar facilitated the even as the stage secretaries. Mr. Mustafa Mirani the Vice Chairman of Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum did the welcome speech. The other honourable speakers included Dr. Niaz Kalani, Dr. Qadir Magsi, Mr. Ayaz Latif Palijo, Mr. Qamar Bhatti, Mr. Muhammad Mallah, Mr. Amanulllah Talpur, Mr. Shah Muhammad Shah, Mr. Abrar Qazi, Mr. Jami Chandio and Mr. Muhmmad Ali Shah. All the speakers condemned the attitude of the federation, WAPDA, IRSA and other relevant bodies for ensuring the due share of water for Sindh. They all demanded the adequate flow in the downstream in order to restore the livelihood of the tailed areas of the Indus. The speakers strongly rejected the plans for constructing new dams over the river rather they demanded the decommissioning of already existing mega dams over the Indus so that the people of Southern Sindh can be saved from misery. Mr. Ahmad Ali Shah an eighty year old man of Kharo Chhan who remained with the Long March since the very first day of the march also addressed the ceremony and said that hundreds of acres of his fertile land has been swallowed by the sea water. He said that they are jobless and are living a very miserable life. He demanded the prompt rehabilitation of the river and the delta.
Mr. Muhammad Ali Shah the Chairman of PFF, in his address shared the fact and figures of the catastrophe caused by sea due to zero downstream flow in the Indus River. He said that the sea is destroying eighty acres of deltaic land daily. He further told that the sea water intrusion has encroached up to Tando Muhammad Khan city and it is very much nearer to Hyderabad City. He told that more than forty hundred thousand fishermen are living their lives in a very dreadful condition since their livelihood depends upon fishing which has been negatively affected due to the severe shortage of the river water. He demanded 35 M.A.F water in the downstream and also demanded the decommissioning of Tarbella Dam in order to restore the flow of Indus.
The Cultural Group of PFF presented some tableaus to not only entertain the participants but also highlighted the issues of the fishing community. One of the entertainers was Mr. Mola Bukhash who sang some emotional songs relevant to the issues and demands of fishermen. The last speaker was Mr. Saeed Baloch the General Secretary of PFF who thanked the guests and participants. The event lasted by dusk.