PFF to launch campaign to revive Indus

PFF to launch campaign to revive Indus
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) will launch a campaign for the restoration of River Indus and raise a voice against mega water projects on the river. A PFF meeting held on Sunday evening called on all the political parties and civil society organisations advocating water issues, to take part in the campaign to build up pressure on the government to save the life and livelihoods of thousands of people.In this regard, the PFF spokesman said that the fishermen representing inland water bodies from each district will start a mass mobilisation campaign from February 15. The district bodies would stage long marches separately on February 25, heading to Hyderabad, from where the main rally would proceed to the River Indus and culminate after the public meeting. Leaders of different political parties and civil society organisations would be invited to attend cultural activities in the dried river bed, he said.The PFF has designed a four-member committee to make arrangements in this connection, and invite all the concerned organisations and water experts. The PFF believes that blocking the Indus water is a ‘conspiracy’ against the people of Sindh. They have planned to launch an effective campaign, involving all the concerned groups to achieve the target in this regard, the spokesman said.Several towns and cities, located near the River and major canals are facing acute shortage of water. The blockade of Indus water has caused depletion of forests and natural grazing fields, and compelled forest communities to migrate to safer places. This situation has also affected major fresh water lakes, wetlands and caused desertification of water bodies, the spokesman added. The spokesman further said that there is no need to implement the 1991 Water Accord now, adding that the campaign would represent the voice of all.