SUKKUR: Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) Central Secretary General Dr. Safdar Abbasi, while speaking to the media in Sukkur on Saturday, said that the Kalabagh dam project was approved in 1952 and faced widespread protests, including those led by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in 1992.
He said, “We have formed the ‘Save Indus Movement’ to oppose water projects that threaten Sindh. This movement will have a significant impact, ensuring that such canals are not constructed.”
Dr. Abbasi emphasised that the GDA, formed in 2017, remains the only alliance committed to fighting against anti-Sindh projects. He said, “We have rejected the recent elections as they represent a one-sided mandate handed to the PPP in Sindh. We have declared these elections fake, which is why our elected representatives have not yet taken their oaths in the assemblies.”
He said, “We are coordinating with opposition parties at the national level. Sindh has been isolated, and we have invited other opposition leaders to join our movement.”
Commenting on the current political scenario, Dr. Abbasi said, “Prominent leaders cannot be suppressed for long. Imran Khan is in jail, but he remains a popular leader and a significant threat to the system. The PTI is a major party, and keeping its leader in jail only increases his popularity. The PTI’s vote bank remains intact, and they still hold power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
He criticised the electoral process, saying, “The entire country rejects this flawed election process. It has failed to deliver. The time has come for a new mandate; the country cannot function with a fake mandate.”
Dr. Abbasi also called on the president of Pakistan to address the issue of canals. “The PPP is against these canals, yet the president did not issue a rebuttal during his speech in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, even after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari brought it to his attention.”
He accused the PPP of abandoning its ideology, saying, “The PPP is now a party of contractors. From 2010 to 2024, Sindh had received Rs20 trillion under the NFC Award. Where has all this money gone? Hospitals in Sindh are in ruins; there is no structure in Chandka Hospital, no dog vaccines are available, and 20,000 schools remain closed without basic facilities like benches.” Dr. Abbasi alleged corruption in irrigation reforms, saying, “The rulers have siphoned off funds under the pretext of reforms. They have created the most corrupt bureaucracy, destroyed the administrative system, and appointed their loyal officers, including SSPs.” He criticised the inability to resolve the murder case of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, stating, “No leader has emerged after Bibi. The people of Sindh must reject this party of contractors.” Referring to past events, he said, “A fake accounts case worth Rs18 billion was filed against Asif Ali Zardari during the previous government, yet he was made president again. In 1977, there was an attempt to dismantle the PPP, and in 1979, Bhutto was judicially murdered. Despite this, the party remained intact. However, the Zardari mafia has now destroyed the PPP.” Dr. Abbasi concluded by saying that the PTI must come out of isolation and prepare to face difficult times ahead. GDA leaders Faqir Inayat Burro, Muhammad Bachal Mehar, Ismail Soomro, Arbaaz Abbasi, and others were also present.
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