• Drivers complain of deterioration of the decks of the vehicles.
• Lawyers are also protesting against the Sindh-Punjab border.
• Nationalist, political parties participate in protest.
  

KHAIRPUR: The sit-in protest from lawyers and civil society members against the proposed construction of six channels from the Indus River has now entered its 10th consecutive day, causing a complete stop of traffic between Sindh and Punjab on National Highway.

The ongoing demonstration has drawn a significant number of participants in which lawyers and civil society activists united in their opposition to the controversial channel projects.

The blockade of the National Highway has resulted in the suspension of all vehicle movement between the two provinces in the last 10 days.

The ongoing blockade has affected the transport of significant goods, including petrol and food, as trucks and trailers remain stranded. This has also led to increased difficulties for commuters and carriers.

Drivers of heavy containers stranded due to the protest have reported that their vehicle tires are aggravated due to prolonged status.

The protesters have promised to maintain their protests until a message confirming the cancellation of the project has been issued – despite Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s insurance that no channel would be built.

PM Shehbaz and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari held a meeting with high efforts in Islamabad on Thursday, after weeks of escalating turmoil across Sindh.

At a joint press conference, Premier announced that no channels would be constructed unless there was agreement in the Council for Common Interest (CCI).

He confirmed that the next CCI meeting on May 2rd would formally approve the agreement obtained with PPP.

Protests are staged at different points on National Highway.

The Sit-In Protest against the Channels from the Indus River has entered its eighth consecutive day near the mangio pump at National Highway in Dahaar, Ghotki.

Activists from nationalist parties and various political and social organizations continue to participate in the demonstration.

Meanwhile, a separate protest from lawyers at the Sindh-Punjab border near Kamoon Shaheed has also reached its fifth day, which further exacerbates the traffic situation in the region. Protesters remain firm in their resistance to the channel project and require a reconsideration of its potential influence.

There seems to be any immediate end in sight of the traffic disorder. Authorities must not yet announce any breakthrough in the negotiations aimed at solving the problem and clearing the important transport artery.