Babarloi Dharna
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Corporate farming
| 2025 Babarloi sit-in | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part of Sindh's rights | ||
| Date | 18 April – April 29, 2025 | |
| Location | ||
| Caused by | Controversial Canals on Indus River, Green Pakistan initiative and Corporate farming | |
| Goals | Cancellation of Green Pakistan initiative Corporate farming | |
| Methods | Sit-in | |
| Parties | ||
| ||
| Lead figures | ||
Sarfaraz Maitlo Aamir Nawaz Warraich Sindhi Inam (Sindh Sabha) | ||
| Casualties | ||
| Injuries | 4 | |
| Other protests | ||
The Babarloi Sit-ins was a series of protests held at Babarloi bypass near Sukkur, Sindh began on 18 April 2025,[1][2] primarily led by lawyers, nationalist organizations, and civil society groups opposing the Pakistan's federal government’s plan to construct six new canals on the Indus River under the corporate farming.[3] The sit-in caused significant disruptions, blocking the National Highway and halting traffic between Sindh and Punjab.[1] Protesters, including members of the Malir Bar Association, Awami Tehreek, Sindh United Party, and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM), said that the canal project threatens Sindh’s water resources, fertile lands, and the Indus Delta’s ecosystem, potentially turning the region into a desert. They also claimed it violates the 1991 Water Accord.[4][1]
The protest escalated with a province-wide shutter-down strike on April 20,[5][6] affecting cities like Hyderabad, Nawabshah, and Larkana. Lawyers announced an indefinite boycott of court proceedings across Sindh, with the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) and others extending sit-ins to Kamo Shaheed, Kashmore, and Karachi. On April 20, unknown assailants fired on sleeping protesters, injuring three, but no casualties were reported in a separate incident.[7] The protesters demanded the project’s cancellation within a 72-hour ultimatum, threatened to block railway tracks if their demands were not fulfilled.[8]
The agitation disrupted agricultural exports, with 250 containers of potatoes stuck due to road blockages. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have publicly opposed the project, with Shah stating no new canals would be built under PPP’s watch.[9]
The proposed canal project aimed to divert water from the Indus River for corporate farming under the umbrella of Green Pakistan initiatives.[10][11][12] Critics argued that this would reduce the water available for Sindh's agriculture, adversely affecting the livelihoods of farmers, the local economy and it would be devastating for the Indus delta.[13][14][15] The 1991 Water Accord,[16] which allocates water shares among Pakistan's provinces, prohibits unilateral projects that alter water distribution without consensus. Protesters said that the canal project violates this agreement.[17][18][1][4][19]
Timeline of events (April 18–29, 2025)
- On April 18, the sit-ins began at the Babarloi Bypass, by lawyers, nationalist groups, and civil society organizations participating. The protest caused significant disruptions, blocking the National Highway and halting traffic between Sindh and Punjab.
- On April 19, the protest escalated with a province-wide shutter-down strike, affecting major cities like Hyderabad, Nawabshah, and Larkana.
- On April 20, lawyers announced an indefinite boycott of court proceedings across Sindh, with sit-ins extending to Kamo Shaheed, Kashmore, and Karachi. Shutter down strike held throughout the province.[5][6]
- On April 21, unidentified assailants fired on sleeping protesters, injuring three. No casualties were reported in a separate incident.
- On April 22, the protesters issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the federal government, demanding the cancellation of the canal project. They threatened to block railway tracks if their demand was not met.
- On April 23, Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Shah and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari publicly opposed the project.
- On April 24, protesters continued to maintain their sit-in at Babarloi Bypass, blocking the National Highway. Support for the protest grew with more participants joining from various parts of Sindh.[20] The situation remained tense but largely peaceful.
- On April 25, the protest saw widespread support from farmers, locals and other social groups who joined the strike in solidarity. Government continued to face pressure to halt the canal project, but no concrete decision was made.[21][22]
- On April 26, there were no significant clashes reported, but the blockage remained in effect, halting traffic between Sindh and Punjab. Protesters reiterated their demand for the cancellation of the canal project and refused to leave the site.[23][24]
- On April 27, as the sit-ins entered its 10th day, the protest was still ongoing. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, there were concerns about potential further disruptions by the local administration.[25][26] The sit-ins continued at the Babarloi Bypass. Protesters remained firm in their demand for the cancellation of the canal project[26][24][22][27].. The federal government said to bring the project at Council of Common Interests (CCI) for discussion and decision making. The matter was set to be discussed at a meeting on May 2, but it was concluded on 28 April in CCI meeting.
Impact
The agitation disrupted agricultural exports, such as 250 containers of potatoes stuck due to road blockages.[28][29] The protests also led to significant economic losses in the region. Sit-ins caused nationwide shortage of food, fuel, and medicine, resulting in heavy losses to traders, transporters, and the national economy.[30][31][2]