Awami Tahreek - Sindh Long March-english Media

NEWS/ ARTICLES As Published In

ENGLISH MEDIA Regarding

AWAMI TAHREEK’S QUOMI AWAMI LONG MARCH

Collected by: Kalavanti Raja

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj) Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement of the masses of Sindh) announces Long March The Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement of the masses of Sindh) announces 46 days historical Long March 8th Oct to 22 Nov 2009 (from Kandhkot to Karachi) for Autonomy, NFC, Water, Education and Resources and Rights of Sindh and against Corruption, Lawlessness, Terrorism, Unemployment and man-made Inflation. Prior to this mega event the annual central elections of Awami Tahreek, shall be held on 28th September 2009 at Yesrab Hall Qasimabad, Hyderabad, Sindh.

Daily Times Awami Tehreek Long March KARACHI: The Rasool Bux Palijo-led Awami Tahreek (AT) announced on Friday that it would organise a long march in first week of October against the alleged settlement of outsiders in the Sindh as well as other issues faced by the province. AT President Abdul Qadir Ranto made this announcement while addressing at a protest rally at the Karachi Press Club. A number of women activists belonging to AT women wing Sindhyani Tahreek also participated in the rally. Ranto said that the planned protest long march would begin from Kandhkot and end in Karachi. “Besides settlement of outsiders in Sindh, the party would also record its protest on other issues, including restraining Sindhi students from admissions in educational institutions in Karachi and the allotment of millions of acres of provincial land to non-Sindhi population,” said Ranto. Sindhyani Tahreek’s Zahida Shaikh as well as AT’s Abdul Hakeem Halepoto, Hakim Zangejo, Mazhar Rahujo and others also spoke on the occasion. http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C08%5C08%5Cstory _8-8-2009_pg12_7

Daily Dawn Losses from water shortage: AT wants Sindh compensatedAwami Tahreek Annual Convention HYDERABAD, Sept 30: The annual convention of the Awami Tehrik held here on Tuesday demanded through a resolution compensation for the huge losses Sindh had suffered over the past 150 years from perennial water shortage.

The convention presided over by AT leader Rasool Bux Palijo passed a number of resolutions, one of which called for an end to robbery of Indus waters and Sindh had been denied its rightful share in water over the decades. The gathering strongly criticised proposed construction of dams on the Indus and the project for Greater Thal Canal and alleged that 33,000 cusec of Sindh’s share was being stolen daily through Taunsa-Panjnad and ChashmaJehlum link canals. It said the proposed construction of a powerhouse on Chashma-Jehlum link canal would prove detrimental to the interests of Sindh and demanded that Sindh’s natural resources should be returned to Sindhis. It alleged that tens of thousands of acres of land on the Super Highway and the National highway and pieces of land in prime locations in other areas of the province were being sold to outsiders and multinational companies. The cities of Karachi and Hyderabad had been handed over to “terrorists” and billions of rupees were being given to their district governments without audit while funds for other districts had been stopped, said the gathering. It said that admission of Sindhi students to educational institutions in Karachi had been banned and the educational system in the interior of Sindh was being destroyed under a conspiracy.

It demanded that the elements who were involved in violence in the educational institutions should be arrested and awarded deterrent punishment.

The convention demanded that the Sindhi villages in Karachi should be regularised and the conspiracy to convert Sindhis into a minority should be

done away with.

It opposed development of a new city Zulfiqarabad and urged the government to take effective measures to abolish jirga and sardari system and abolish the black custom of karo-kari. It said the people involved in the massacre of innocent people in the bloody incidents of May 12, April 9 and Oct 8 should be arrested. The cases lodged against people belonging to a particular party should be reopened and the accused should be awarded deterrent punishment, said the gathering.

The convention reaffirmed its resolve to stage a long march from Kandhkot to Karachi on Nov 22.

It said that the United States of America and its allies, including European countries and Israel were trying to enslave the third world in the name of restoration of human rights, democracy and war against terrorism.

It said the most rulers of the third world were American surrogates and their domestic and foreign poli-cies were framed under the dictation of imperialist forces.

The convention urged people of the third world countries to unite to fight against exploitative forces and accused Pakistani rulers of following the proAmerican policies of former dictator Pervez Musharraf.

Meanwhile, names of new office-bearers of the central body of Awami Tehrik were announced. The convention was told that Ayaz Latif Palijo had been elected the president, Syed Alam Shah senior vice president and Mohammad Khan Bhurgari general secretary. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/national/losses-from-water-shortage-at-wants-sindhcompensated-109

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj) Letter by the President of Awami Tahreek To,: All Committed Democrats Fraternal greeting to all of you! This is to introduce to you a patriotic socio-political organization Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement) based in Sindh, (Pakistan) with its Headquarters at Hyderabad, Sindh. People connected with Awami Tahreek have been in the fore front of every democratic and patriotic movement and struggle in Pakistan in general and Sindh province in particular since the mid-sixties. Awami Tahreek is an organization with a broad world out-look and believes in all around and all-embracing change for the better in all fields in Sindh and Pakistan, in South Asia, Asia and the third world and in our entire global village which is also called the space-ship earth. We in Awami Tahreek have always had and have always retained a firm faith in humanity and its bright future inspite of all the unhappy, sad and dark centuries of its existence since time immemorial and in spite of all the turmoil it is facing to day all over the world. We observe that the centers of human evolution and progress have kept shifting from place to place, country to country and continent to continent. While the fountain head of the emergence of humanity is recognized to be the African continent and the cradle of its early great civilization of faiths has been Asia, the firm roots of world modernity, scientificality and democracy go back to Greco-Roman civilization in Europe. Our century has witnessed the rise and fall of Russia, the rise of both the far west (America) and far east particularly including Japan and China. We believe that along with the great Eastern peoples like the Japanese, the Russians, the Chinese and others, peoples of our sub-continent too are entitled to the stability, prosperity, progress and human glory that was and once more promises to be the East which is rising up again and lifting its head and by the sacrifice of its sweat and blood is becoming readier to march hand in hand with all the fraternal and friendly people of the non-imperialist democratic West.

We believe that while the role of profit-based competitive market-economy has proved to be much greater than it was previously realized, it can not be and is not the Panacea for all the evils afflicting humanity. The most fundamental and enduring problems confronting mankind call for fellowfeeling, co-operation and united effort aimed at mutual benefit rather than cutthroat competition, rivalry and strife. We believe that a uni-polar world is bound to end-up in confrontation, and attempts at domination of entire humanity by a single gigantic world centre compared to the vastness of whose domain that of the Roman, Muslim, Chinese, Mongol and British empires would appear to be a mere child’s play. A multi-polar world alone can meet the requirements of our world to-day for peace, co-operation and for all-round social, economic , cultural, scientific and technological progress. Awami Tahreek has been very active since its inception in its support for the struggle for democracy, rule of law, justice, fair-play, provincial autonomy and basic human rights for everyone specially the women,, minorities and the weaker sections of our society. In this regard we have launched a long march from Kandh Kot (Sindh) — the hub of the sardari (feudal) system of Sindh, Pakistan. The march was started by our activists on October 8, 2009. Thousands of Awami Tehrik workers – both men and women – were at the venue. The people were chanting slogans against the terrorism, autocracy, corruption, jirga and sardari system, condemning the practice of karo kari (honor killings), asking for educational and health facilities and demanding opportunities for employment. The marchers would cover about 20kms each day and the route of the march will cover the length and breadth of Sindh. The total distance of Long March and dozens of short marches from Kandhkot to the Karachi Press Club is about 960 kms and same will be covered in 46 days. I invite you to extend your solidarity and to support and participate in this historic and unique event in the history of social and grassroots political movements in Pakistan. Yours affectionately, President AWAMI TAHREEK [email protected] [email protected] 92-300-3063471

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj) LONG MARCH started..Emotional scenes observed in tribal no-go-areas Kandhkot-Pakistan: Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement's) national Long March started from Kandhkot yesterday on 8th October and reached at Karampur today. The march is organized against ongoing unemployment, price-hike, terrorism, lawlessness and acute shortage of water in Sindh Renown intellectual and Awami Tahreek's chief, 80 year old cardiac patient, Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo, newly elected Central President of the party and Human Rights lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, General Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhurgri, Syed Alam Shah and former central president Qadir Ranto are leading the 46 days long protest long march. Thousands of brave women and men passing through the tribal no-go-areas of Kandhkot, Ghouspur and Karampur raised slogans for complete provincial autonomy, major share in NFC an implementation on 1940 resolution and against tribalism, jirga system, lawlessness, KARO KARI, SANG CHATTI, water shortage and discrimination against Sindhis in Karachi. Hundreds of workers of JSQM, Tarqi Pasand PArty, Jamait Islami and PPP Shaheed Bhutto also joined the workers of Awami Tahreek. Addressing the crowd at Kandhkot Mr Rasool Bux Palijo said that people of Sindh are fighting for their survival. He said this is time to mobilise people for issues like Greater Thal Canal, unemployment, recovery of various taxes and water shortage. He said PPP led government is betraying the cause of Sindh and they will have to face the consequences. He demanded that Sindhis must be ensured their due share of jobs in the provincial and federal governments, semi-government & autonomous agencies including civil, military and foreign services. He criticized the present govt for continuing the ongoing work on Thal Canal and said that the people of Sindh will not accept the construction of greater Thal it was the unanimous opinion of over 45 million people of the province that the canal was an anti-Sindh project and should be shelved without any further delay. The President of Awami Tahreek Ayaz Latif Palijo condemned the forcible taking over of the coal, oil, lands, islands and fishing areas of Sindh by the Federal and City government. Ayaz said that Awami Tahreek would not only

contest the next elections but the leaders would visit various cities and towns of Sindh and inform the landless and jobless people about what's happening with them and who is responsible for this. He said in past few months several activists of STP, SUP and JSQM have been brutally murdered, SNF chief was arrested and humiliated and JSQM chief was attacked but none of the culprits has been arrested so far, which shows the criminal negligence of the Provincial and federal Govt. He said that Awami Tahreek is not against any groups or nation but it opposes those who perpetuate atrocities on the Sindhis and other working classes of Pakistan. He lashed out at Wapda, IRSA and the establishment for withholding water supply to Sindh and opposed the construction of greater Thal canal. The protesters will march through various cities and reach at Karachi on March 22 November where they would stage a sit-in in front of the Mazar-eQuaid and Press Club. Today on Ghospur to Karampur roads thousands of men including hundreds of tribal women of Bijarani, Bhaya, Teghani, Jakhrani, Bapar, Malik, Noonari and Jattoi communities led by their village heads came on roads, welcomed the participants and blocked the main highway. While addressing them Ayaz Latif Palijo said when you soem times ignore the directions of your GOd and sometimes forget about the wishes of your parents then why can't you disobey the illegal and inhuman commands ofyour sardars. He took oath of thousand of people thet if their Sardar would direct them to attack an innocent man of opponent tribe or to kill a women in the name of honor killing you will refuse to obey such orders. Some emotional scenes were observed under the scorching sun when hundreds of peasant bagri women appeared from ghospur to join the marchers. The Sindhiani Tahreek activists chanted slogans of Namanzoor Namanzoor Jirga system, Namanzoor, Namanzoor Namanzoor Karo Kari Namanzoor, Band Karyo Band Karyo Dahshatgardi Band Karyo. Darya Khatir Jhero aaa, Panee khatir jhero aaa. The marchers would walk 20 to 28 km daily, and after holding rallies and peaceful sit-ins at Shikarpur, Sukkur, Ranipur, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro, Dolatpur, Qazi Ahmed, Panj Moro, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohd Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Bathoro, Sujawal, Thatto, Gharo, Bhanbhor, Landhi will ultimately reach at Karachi after 46 days and a grand peaceful protest rally will be held in front of Press Club Karachi.

Daily Dawn Call for Shaikh Ayaz varsity in Shikarpur SHIKARPUR, Oct 11: Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bux Palijo has urged the provincial government to set up a university in Shikarpur named after Shaikh Ayaz, the great Sindhi poet of the 20th century, who was born and brought up in the historic city.

He was addressing participants of a long march, which started from Kashmore on Thursday and reached the Lakhi Gate roundabout here on Sunday. The march is aimed at highlighting the problems faced by Sindhis. Mr Palijo said that Sindh was in deep crisis and its people were facing severe hardships. Sindhi people should unite to wage a struggle to take back their ‘usurped rights’, he stressed.

He accused the government comprising people belonging to feudal families of “selling Sindh and its natural resources to outsiders who have grabbed its wealth”.

He said: “Selfish politicians and rulers are supporting the elements who are trying to convert sons of the soil into a minority in their own motherland.”

Mr Palijo called upon nationalist, political and religious parties to shun differences and unite for the national cause of wresting back ‘usurped rights’. He said his party would continue its struggle for Sindh’s rights and asked “outsiders, including the US to leave Sindh and its natural resources”.

Naseer Mangi of the Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Abdul Qadir Abro of Jamaat-i-Islami, Maulvi Abdul Fatah Mahar and Ms Zahida Shaikh of AT also spoke to the marchers. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/national/call-for-shaikh-ayaz-varsity-in-shikarpur-209

Daily Dawn Long march not against democracy; party to participate in coming polls. SUKKUR, Oct 14 Leaders of Awami Tehrik have said that the people of Pakistan would never ever accept the Kerry-Lugar Bill because it is against the interests of the country and its people.

They said that for the last 62 years rulers had ignored people and protected their vested interests, due to which people of Pakistan were now living a miserable condition.

They were addressing people who had gathered at Teer Chowk here on Wednesday to welcome the participants of the AT’s long march. AT president Ayaz Latif Palijo, vice-president Hakeem Zangejo, Mohammad Khan, Umar Samoon, Zahida Shaikh and Dr Sabiha Arshad spoke on the occasion.

The long march, aimed to highlight burning issues of Sindh started from Kandhkot on October 8 and it would culminate in Karachi on November 22.

The AT leaders said that the long march was not against the democracy, but it was aimed at to get just rights for Sindh. The AT and other pro-Sindh forces have always struggled for the just rights of the province and would continue to do so till the goal is achieved. They also announced that the AT would take active part in the next general elections.

They alleged that the rulers were acting according to the whims and wishes of their western masters, due to which the country sustained irreparable loss. So much so that they were not even effectively raising voice on the drone attacks by the USA, due to which many innocent lives were being lost every day, they added.

Hitting hard the PPP-led coalition, they said during election campaign, they raised slogans of “Roti, Kapra aur Makaan” and people voted them to power, but since their coming to power, they have done nothing to provide relief to

the people. They rather over-burdened the people with crisis such as lawlessness, price hike, unemployment, shortage of wheat-flour, sugar, water, electricity, gas and others.

They regretted that Sindh was particularly experiencing lawlessness, due to tribal feuds, which are sparked by feudal lords and tribal chiefs. They said these feuds had claimed hundreds of innocent lives, while education and agriculture sectors were badly affected, but Sindh government seemed to be helpless.

They said Sindh had been subjected to atrocities since long and it was the right time to launch a joint struggle for its rights, and added that an unjust NFC award would never be accepted.

They said that only Sindhis have right over the resources of the province, and urged the federal government to hand over all the resources of Sindh to its people. They also demanded complete provincial autonomy for Sindh.

Earlier, when the participants of long march reached the railway crossing, Sukkur, a large number of political workers and people accorded them a warm welcome and showered them with rose petals.After a successful public meeting at Teer Chowk, the participants of the march left for Khairpur.

AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo was not present in the march, because he was admitted to a Shikarpur hospital on Tuesday due to breathing problem. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/national/long-march-not-against-democracy-party-to-participate-incoming-polls-army-wont-accept-kerrylugar-at-509

The News International A long march for social change Monday, October 19, 2009 Sarwar Bari

“This is a stronghold of Bijarani, Somroo, Jhakhrani, Oghai and Taighani sardars,” answered a handsome Sindhi villager who was sitting next to me on a charpai at a roadside restaurant on the Super Indus Highway, where we had stopped to have tea. My peculiar appearance (white beard, moustache and a ponytail) and interest in their issues caught the attention of others, who wanted to share their thoughts. In order to trigger a debate, I asked about the role of these tribal sardars in local development and their well being. No one had anything good to say about the sardars and the successive governments in which the former have played a major role. Almost everyone complained about their tyranny, and the lack of educational and health facilities. Among them was a teacher who said that it had been many years since a school was opened or upgraded in his taluka. In fact, most schools had become nonfunctional despite the swelling population.

One man said that in his area, 100 people have been killed over the theft of a buffalo and the sardars have been playing a huge role in the perpetuation of the feud. Since most rural populations are organised on primordial lineages, very often in the case of a conflict, the feuding parties would approach different local factional leaders for help. In return, they would have to vote for him or his nominee in elections. They blamed their sardars for the perpetuation of feuds as it allows them to have control and exert power over the population. According to them, the local police, revenue officials and lower judiciary collaborate with the sardars in this nefarious game. The government officials are bound to serve the sardars, as they are the peoples’ representatives and the law makers too. “Why did you vote for such candidates?” I asked them. Their answer was crisp and sharp. “Our choice is restricted between one feudal sardar or the other.”

They also complained that most mainstream political parties issue tickets to

those candidates who were wealthy and have their own vote bank which means “bonded haris,” according to the teacher. He also said that these “sardars are the gatekeepers of our areas — they don’t allow anybody to unite the people.” An old man said that “be it military dictators or civilian governments, these sardars have remained in power as a class.”

However, the gatekeepers were challenged a few days ago when the Awami Tehrik launched a long march from Kandh Kot — the hub of the sardari system of Sindh. The march was kick-started by Rasool Buksh Palijo and his party workers on October 8. Thousands of Awami Tehrik workers – both men and women – were at the venue. The people were chanting slogans against the jirga and sardari system, condemning the practice of karo kari, asking for educational and health facilities and demanding opportunities for employment.

The issues that are being raised through the long march reflect the true aspirations of the people. Throughout the three days that I spent with the people at the long march, I saw men, women and children of goths along the Super Highway waiting to welcome us. Some were holding traditional snacks; others had set up sabeels of cold water for us. Most of them joined us in sloganeering. I was curious to know who and what had motivated them to welcome the marchers. Most said the local influential sardars had in fact instructed them not to welcome the marchers. They dared to defy the orders of their sardars. Moreover, many passersby would show gestures of solidarity.

The marchers covered about 20kms on day one. We spent the first night in Ghauspur – a small town on the highway. Next morning, we walked for another 20kms and finished the day at Karampur another small town on the same highway. We spent the second night at village Pirbux Shujra. Hassan Ali, a local leader of the Awami Tehrik, was our host. The area we covered in two days is a stronghold of Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, the Federal Minister for Education. I was curious to know what changes in education had come about since he became the minister. The villagers told me that there had not been any improvement and that they did not expect much in the future. They said out of the 20 odd schools only four were functional in their union council.

In order to verify the claim of the villagers, I spoke to some independent people of the area who repeated what I had already heard. I then visited various websites. The data I found about Human Development Index (HDI) ranking of, and allocation of budget for, education in these districts proved what the people had told me. According to the National Development Report 2003-UNDP, Shikarpur and Jacobabad fall at the bottom of the HDI ranking list. According to a recent survey conducted by the Sindh government, these districts have one of the highest numbers of ghost schools and have high absenteeism among teachers and health officials. The overall literacy rate in these districts is much lower than the national average (30 per cent). The national average is 54 per cent. In comparison to other districts, the budget allocation for educational development has been less than three per cent; the rest goes to recurring costs, that is, to cover salaries of the absentee teachers and ghost schools.

The area is infamous for crimes against women; that is, karokari, wanni etc. The role of tribal chiefs is shameful in this regard. They have been using the jirga as a tool to please men in order to keep the women in complete subjugation.

Therefore, the decision to start the long march from Kandhkot was significant. It was like throwing the first stone against the tribal-feudal chiefs who have been kept in power for decades, now by an unholy alliance of the PPP and MQM and before by uniformed politicians. The MQM, whose rhetoric against the feudal elite is revolutionary, has actually been helping feudal sardars to maintain status quo.

Coming back to the long march, I was pleasantly surprised that despite fear of retaliation from the local feudal lords, dacoits and terrorists, nobody carried any weapons. Nobody was scared. The marchers were peaceful and highly disciplined. They walked on the left of the highway, which helped the traffic move smoothly — a rare occurrence during processions. The girls and boys, and men and women strode towards their destination. They sang revolutionary songs, shouted slogans and were proud of being part of the march. Despite harsh weather, poor facilities and unsuitable walking shoes

nobody wanted to give up. I told Palijo this should have been called a walk of endurance.

The route of the march will cover the length and breadth of Sindh. The total distance from Kandhkot to the Karachi Press Club (KPC), where it will end, is about 1,000kms. The distance will be covered in 46 days. This is perhaps a historic and unique event in the history of social movements in Pakistan. Yet, the mainstream media finds little news worthiness in it. All over the world, the media tends to give coverage to elitist, glamorous and bloody events. The Pakistani media is no different. Marginalizing peaceful and democratic demonstrations can push people towards extreme steps. We can’t afford to let this happen any longer. A man in the roadside hotel said: ‘the long march is good but not enough; we need to take up arms against the oppressors.” I tried to convince him otherwise by giving him a comparison of the Swat Taliban, Lal Masjid militants and the lawyers’ movement. One was bloody and the other was peaceful. Who won, I asked him. He kept quiet. He did not want to argue, perhaps out of courtesy. The writing on the wall is clear — the people of Pakistan are fed up with the existing leadership and prepared to play their role. Social movements across all four provinces and FATA must join hands in order to transform social base of our polity. We know very well only social movements have brought meaningful social change and democratic development in history.

The writer is a civil society activist. Email: [email protected] http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=203866

SAMAA Masses of the Sindh are facing Poverty and Crises The ‘Long March’ held by the Awami Tehreek arrived in Naushahro Feroze on Friday after journeying from Kandhkot on way to Karachi for saving the assets of Sindh. Hundreds of citizens and members of the civil society welcomed the march . Long march led by the Ayaz latif Palejo president Awami tahri , central Secratery general of awami tahrik Mohammed Khan Bhurgeri ,Qadir rantho ,Hakeem Halepoto ,Umra Samoonand others Talking to Hundreds of citizens and members of the Ayaz Latif palejo said that our resources and cities are in the grip of terrorist and we are struggling for our survival and safety . Our long march is a referendum against the present PPP government Palejo said . On 22 November 2009 we will prove in Karachi that the present rulers are not acceptable to us . He further said our masses will have to come to the fore in order to save our resources from the look and plunder of the PPP rulers . He praised the women and children participating in the long march and said that they have done a wonder full performance by walking more the 1300 kilo meters. He further said that the masses of the sindh are facing poverty and crises and un standard education but government are not ready to solve the problems . They said which is the will of Benazir Bhutto that after killing of her the murderer FIR of her will be lodged against Ex president Gen Parwaiz Mushraf which is the will of Benazir Bhutto but ppp government is not ready this will of Benazir Bhutto . http://isamaa.tv/report/2009-10-23-awami-tahrik-long-march-reached-nferoze/

Frontier Post When Long march reached Moro MORO (PPI): The 'long march' of Awami Tehreek for highlighting the rights of Sindh province reached here on Saturday. A large number of activists belong to Jamaat-e-Islami, Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, Labour Party and other political and civil society organizations warmly welcomed the convoy and showered flower petals on them.

Addressing on the occasion, President Amami Tehreek Ayaz Latif Palejo said landlords, and politicians have sold rivers, lands and mines of Sindh, however, the people of Sindh would not allow grip of anyone on the resources of the province. He said the people of Sindh deserve to avail resources of Sindh themseleves.

He demanded of government to raise the salaries of police and judges of Sindh and make them at par with those officials in Punjab. http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=2805&ad=25-102009

Daily Dawn We are not against Kerry-Lugar but in past enmity & friendship of USA with nations is linked to its own interestsAyaz Palijo HYDERABAD, Nov 1: The Awami Tehrik has opposed Kerry-Lugar Act on the ground that it is aimed to protect US interests as it had been proved time and again that US always tried to safeguards its own interests. At a press conference here on Sunday, AT president Ayaz Latif Palijo, said that the Act should be opposed because, instead of accepting it with strict conditions, the wealth looted by plunderers and kept in US, Dubai, London, Switzerland and other countries banks, should be brought back for development of the country. The AT president said that a long march of party activists which had begun from Kandhkot on October 8 would reach Hyderabad on November 4. The marchers have been welcomed in different districts by residents as it was aimed at to highlight burning issues confronting Sindh, he said. The march has entered into its 25th day and the participants are currently staying in Matiari, Palijo said, adding that they would cover 800 kilometers in 46 days. He expressed the hope that people of Hyderabad would accord a historic welcome to the participants of the march. Talking about proceedings of central executive committee of AT, he said that the central committee has discussed the issue of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) through which “terrorists, who were involved in bloodshed in looting properties since 1986, have benefited.” He said that the meeting demanded reopening of cases regarding May 12, October 18 and April 9 killings which should be challaned in courts. Opposing Kerry-Lugar Act, the AT executive committee noted that US always preferred its interests and its enmity and friendship with different nations and countries is always directly linked to its own interests, Palijo said. He said that imperialist designs were working behind Kerry- Lugar law. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/national/at-chief-hits-out-at-us-aid-plan-119

The News International Long March arrives in Hyderabad amid show of solidarity HYDERABAD: Participants of a the Awami Tehreek’s long march arrived here on Wednesday and a large number of people attended the rally which passed through various streets of the city.

The march had started from Kandhkot on Oct 8 and reached the outskirts of Hyderabad late on Tuesday night and entered the city on Wednesday afternoon. The rally was joined by leaders of various political parties outside the Hyderabad Press Club. Those who spoke outside the press club included AT chief Rasool Bux Palijo, his son and AT leader Ayaz Latif Palijo, Asadullah Bhutto of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Hyder Shani of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, Dodo Mehri of the Sindh United Party and Niaz Kalani of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz.

The participants included women who were also carrying banners, placards and party flags. They also raised slogans against the government.The long march was organised against the lawlessness in Sindh, unjustified share for Sindh in the NFC award, water shortage and other injustices with the people of Sindh. The participants would leave here on Thursday morning the march would culminate in Karachi on Nov 22 where leaders of national and regional parties are expected to attend it. http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=206940

Daily Dawn AT marchers ask PPP to be sincere with nation HYDERABAD, Nov 4: Participants of Awami Tehrik’s long march cautioned the PPP government here on Wednesday to show its commitment to people of Sindh who had voted it to power in the name of late Benazir Bhutto otherwise the very same people had the potential to dislodge it. The marchers entered Hyderabad late afternoon and would leave for Karachi on Thursday. Earlier the march began from Mehboob Solangi village near Hatri bypass intersection at the outskirts of the city. Marching on main thoroughfares of the city, the participants gathered on Risala Road in front of Government Boys High School where leaders addressed a gathering which included a large number of women.

AT leader Rasool Bux Palijo said that it was an honour for people of Sindh that they were following the path of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and they felt proud that they were not with rulers whom they had exposed time and again. He said that they were fighting for a just cause. He said that people were being befooled in the name of democracy for the past 62 years. He said that Sindh belonged to indigenous people who were owners of all its resources but said that neither all the Urdu-speaking nor all the Sindhi speaking people could be considered friends of Sindh. “We will have to exclude terrorists form Urdu speaking people and traitors from among Sindhis”, he said. He said that he had once told late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto that if Sindhis were separated from Bengalis, the former would be enslaved.

AT president Ayaz Latif Palijo said that lines were clearly drawn between dictators and those resisting them in Sindh and added that the long march had a message for all those who had become disappointed with politics. He said that people had voted PPP to power but it did not ensure arrest of killers of its own leader. “Do we still expect from the PPP that it will resolve Sindh’s issues when it has failed to arrest those who killed Benazir Bhutto,” he questioned. He said that long march was activating Sindhi people.

Sindh Hari Committee’s Azhar Jatoi said that Sindh’s existence was at stake

because lands were being allotted to foreigners and outsiders were being settled in Sindh. He said that PPP leadership should mend its ways because people of Sindh were fed up with its loot and plunder of resources and they wouldn’t let it happen. He said that if PPP didn’t desist from it then Sindhi people would not support it.

Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party’s Hyder Shahani paid tribute to the marchers “who are carrying a message that Sindh belongs to indigenous people.” He said that AT and STP had always stood for just cause and always caused ripples in ruling clique. Dr Dodo Maheri of the Sindh United Alliance, Dr Niaz Kalani of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindhiani Tehrik president Zahida Sheikh, Jami Chandio and Alam Shah also spoke on the occasion. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/national/at-marchers-ask-ppp-to-be-sincere-with-nation-519

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj) An Amazing Day, When hundreds of thousand People gathered in Awami Tahreek's Long March My God. unbelievable!!!. Today was a unique day, a day when Awami Tahreek (Peoples Movement's) national Long March entered into Hyderabad and welcomed by lacs (hundreds of thousands) of people. When the march reached at city gate hotel its rear end was near Hala Naka at the distance of 3 kilometers. It was welcomed by all political parties except PPP and MQM. The march is organized against ongoing unemployment, price-hike, terrorism, lawlessness and acute shortage of water in Sindh. Due to new tolerant and harmonious policies of Awami Tahreek's newle elected president Ayaz Latif Palijo, when he started his todays journey from Isra University, he was welcomed, garlanded and accompanied by JSQM delegation led by Vice Chairman and former Central General Secretary Dr. Niaz Kalani, STP delegation led by Sen. Vice Charmian Haider Shahani and Muzafar Kalhoro, SUP delegation led by Sen. VP Dr Dodo Maheri and Roshan Buriro, Jamait Islami delegation led by Sindh President Molana Asadullah Bhutto MNA, PPP Shaheed Bhutto delegation led by CEC member and central leader Majeed Sial, Sindh Hari Comeetee delegation led by Chiraman Azahar Jattoi, Save Sindh Movement delegation led by Faqeer Rematullah Hisbani and by Labor Party, JSSF, JUI and SNF delegations. This was another Sindh, a Sindh with new imagination and new initiatives of Sir Ayaz. Renown intellectual and Awami Tahreek's chief, 80 year old legend Saeen Rasool Bux Palijo was looking so delighted that it was apparent that he himself was amazed on presence of lacs of men and women walking for rights of Sindh under the flag of Awami Tahreek. Newly elected Central President of the party and Human Rights lawyer Ayaz Latif Palijo, General Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhurgri, Syed Alam Shah and former central president Qadir Ranto were leading the 46 days protest long march. Lacs of brave women and men passing through the cultural capital of Sindh raised slogans against terrorism, tribalism, jirga system, lawlessness, honor killings, water shortage and discrimination against Sindhis in Hyderabad, Islamabad and Karachi. The protesters will march through various cities and reach at Karachi on March 22 November where they would stage a mega Jalsa-e-Am in front

of the Mazar-e-Quaid and Press Club. Today in Hyderabad Lacs of men including thousands of urban women came on roads near Civil Hospital, Tilak Charhi, Gari Khata, Citizen Colony, Nasim Nagar Chok and Qasimababd. SST and Sindh Nojawan Tahreek youth welcomed the participants and peacefully blocked all the main roads and proved that it was an indigenous metropolitan of Sindhis. While addressing the jubilant crowd leaders of all parties congratulated new president and his team for such gigantic effort. Ayaz Latif took oath of thousands of people that they will not rest till the final success of masses. During Ayaz Latif and Rasool Bux Palijo's speech some emotional scenes were observed near gol building and Nasim Nagar when thousands of citizens garlanded the leaders and welcomed them with nonstopping applaud, which was directly telecasted by GEO TV, ARY, AAJ, Sindh TV, KTN, Awaz, and Mehran. They covered and relayed the live speeches of Palijo sahib and Ayaz Latif and Aaj and GEO declared it as an unprecedented event in history of Sindh. ARY TV during live telecast mentioned that a large number of citizens and political workers and people accorded them a warm welcome and showered them with rose petals. I am so happy, it was THE DAY. Congrats to all of you and to those who are well-wishers of Sindh and of 17 crore common people. Hats off to Ayaz Latif Palijo, Saeen Palijo sahab, Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek. A new political power is emerging in Sindh lets support Awami Tahreek, lets join Awami Tahreek and grand qaflo of Ayaz Palijo.

Frontier Post Awami Tehrik would never accept illegal and unconstitutional removal of the President-Ayaz Latif Palijo Friday, November 13, 2009 at 4:28am KARACHI: Ayaz Latif Palijo, President of Awami Tehrik (AT), has declared that though his party was against People's Party's corruption and its "antiSindh" policies but warned that his party and people of Sindh would never accept illegal and unconstitutional removal of President Asif Zardari by the establishment. Palijo was addressing a big crowd of people participating in the "Long March" in Mirpur Bathoro, a big town of Thatta district, on way to Thatta, on Thursday. Palijo said all over the world the people of coastal areas and those living in the delta near seaports were seen happy. But, he regretted in the coastal areas of Sindh, particularly Thatta, people are unhappy and it is evident from their faces. He said it was not only a big question for the rulers belonging to bigger province but also for the feudalists of Sindh who have kept common people of Sindh trapped in poverty while amassing wealth in their hands. He cited example of port cities Mumabi, Colombo, Pattaya, Singapore, Bali, Brighton, Miami & Hongkong where happiness seems dancing on the faces of the people living there. AT leader warned that if President Zardari was removed through any conspiracy, Awami Tahrik would be the first party to oppose it tooth and nail. He called upon the people to rise and fight for their rights. He bitterly criticised the present government for contemptuously ignoring their rights to appease some particular groups. Earlier, on entering the historical city Jhoke Sharif the participants of the long march, were given a rousing welcome by the residents of Jhoke and the adjoining areas and rose petals were showered on them at various places. The Long March was launched by AT from Kandhkot on 8th October for the realisation of the rights of Sindh and for a real people's democratic system in the country. http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=3167

Daily Dawn PPP tilted towards the US, which had damaged its popularity. It miserably failed to deliver & lost its image-Ayaz Latif Palijo Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 5:40am

THATTA, Nov 14: Leaders of the Awami Tehrik have opposed attempts to dislodge the PPP government. Speaking to participants of a long march off the National Highway, they said that although the government adopted antiSindh polices and failed to solve basic issues of people, the AT would not anyone to topple its government AT leader Rasool Bux Palijo, president Ayaz Latif Palijo and Sindhiani Tehrik leader Zahida Shaikh were addressing participants of the long march off the National Highway on Saturday. Hundreds of people joined them to express solidarity. Participants raised slogans and staged a sit-in. Rassol Bux Palijo said that since the independence, leaders and bureaucrats had been protecting their vested interests. Now when Pakistan had gone bankrupt, leaders were accepting charity on specified terms laid down by the US. He said the AT was a practical party and fought for the rights of Sindhis. The long march would ensure legitimate rights of Sindh. Ayaz Latif Palijo said that there was no doubt that the PPP tilted towards the US, which had damaged its popularity. He said that it miserably failed to deliver and lost its image by supporting an ethnic group. He said the PPP remained a silent spectator on the murder of Benazir Bhutto, but the AT would never allow democratic process to derail. He said that it was always people’s struggle which solved their problems, therefore the long march would also redress injustices done with the people. Other speakers said that the proposal of Kalabagh Dam was not scrapped, but was in pipeline. They said that after completion of Raini Canal, lower Sindh would not get even a drop of water. Earlier, participants were accorded a warm welcome in Thatta where they reached on the 38th day of long march, which had started from Kashmore. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/national/at-supports-ppp-govt-despite-antisindh-policies-519

Pakistan Christian Post Sindh will move with “Walk of Survival” with Awami Tehreek Kandh Kot: November 17, 2009. (Raja Jee reports for PCP) Rasool Bux Palijo’s Quomi Awami Long March is on its way to Karachi and will reach at Ghaghar Phattak, the outskirt of Karachi on 18th November and will march four days in Karachi. On 22 November as its last 46th day it will be turned in Grand Peaceful Public Gathering from Mazar-e-Quid to Press Club Karachi. This march started from Kandh Kot, upper end of Sindh on 8th of October 2009 and by walking 20 to 25 kilometers daily thousands of marchers including men, women and children crossed Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro, Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro, Sijawal, Thatto and Dabeji. This distance becomes around 1000 kilometers and scheduled days are 46. To cover the breadth/ other sides of Sindh merging short marches have also joined the main march which includes as (1). Ratodero to Shikarpur (2). Dadu to Moro (3). Nawabshah to Sakrand (4). Tando Allahyar to Hyderabad (5). Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan (6). Daro to Mirpur Bathoro. Distributed pamphlet tells the following aim and objectives: Right of governance with complete autonomy as per 1940 resolution instead of rule of imperial forces and their agents. Hold back the right over natural resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, and coastline. Right of water of River Indus as per Sindh - Punjab Pact 1945 Stoppage of controversial water projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thal canal. ·Stop alleged settlements of outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenous population in minority. ·Reject allotment of million acres of provincial land to non Sindhi population and multinational companies for illegal possession over cities. ·Restrain Sindhi students from admission in educational institutions of Karachi and preserving Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture. ·Uproot all forms of Terrorism as state, urban, tribal, and religious in cities and lawlessness in rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords. ·Protest against Continuous unemployment and non observance of due share in jobs for Sindhis in judiciary, military, financial institutions, autonomous authorities and other departments. ·Protest against Jirga system, Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature

marriages and other violence against women and minorities. It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek first in December 1991 from Sukkur to Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to Karachi, third in 2001 from Bhitshah to Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to Karachi in 2005 and this is longest fifth one. There is no doubt in saying that Awami Tahreek always gained huge support from publics and their struggle remained peaceful and non-violent. No scratch on any vehicle or any damage to property or misbehave to any persons on any basis of sect, language or creed were reported so far. But in 2001,they faced baton charge, injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day by police in a bid to foil the long march and they set new example of bravery ahead the government blockade, torture, brutality and aggression and succeeded to reach Karachi peacefully. Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming to establish a welfare state with participation of renowned Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political activists and intellectuals under leading theoretician Rasool Bux Palijo. Besides contribution in all democratic and human right struggles in Pakistan, the active role of Awami Tahreek is largely recognized in Anti One- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh Dam, anti urban terrorism, restoration of judiciary , violence in educational institutions and violence against women and peasant in all over Pakistan. Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo (80) is a well-known politician of Pakistan and he earned the fame in struggling against feudalisms, marshal-laws, establishment, colonialism and imperialism. Besides top constitutional and criminal lawyer, he is an authority over world history, philosophy, science, religion and political theories and also wrote more than 40 books on numerous subjects. He remained about 11 years in jail and declared as Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International in 1981. Organizing women and Hindu scheduled Castes are his more remarkable and revolutionary traits. His continuous love, affection and guide uplifted them as first class citizens and He has broken the walls of untouchability and chains of women slavery very practically. During passing through no-go area of Saradars in Kadh Kot, Rasool Bux Palijo expressed his views as “Through planned conspiracy, big cities of Sindh are handed over to terrorists while the rurals areas have been distributed to tribal chiefs and Jagidars and both are the agents of imperial forces. Feudalism and urban terrorism are being nourished by dictators and imperial agencies to maintain status quo. Criminal negligence of present government over the urban terrorism on Sindhi and tribal terrorism over women and Hindus are very shameful. However, the sons and daughters of Sindh without any discrimination of caste, tribe, creed and religion are ready to play their role in struggle to get back sovereignty of Sindh and the resources of Sindh”. Averagely 500 men, women and children have walked in changing weather from hot to cold in the entire province on foot and when crossed through towns and cities the caravan turned into huge public gatherings. Leaders spoke there to highlight the issue and purposes. Caravan received warm welcome by local organizations, political parties, civil societies, bar associations at every stop along National Highway. There were singers

who kept the participants energized with revolutionary songs of Shah Latif, Faiz Amed Faiz, Shaikh Ayaz, Habib Jalib, Ustad Bukhari, Sahir Ludhiyanvi, and Bhagat Kabir and also the well-worded poetic slogans were chanted as · Jo America jo yaar aa - Ghadaar aa Ghadar aa. · Qudarati waseela - Awam ji hawaley kario. · Karo-kari ain jirga system - Na manzoor no manzoor. · Daryan ji Aabadgari - Band Kario band kario · 12 May ain 18 October Ja qatil - Girftar kario Girftar kario · Jagia Jagia - Sindhi Jagia. · Sindhu te ko b dam - Na khapey Na khapey · Rahbar Sindhi Quom jo – Rasool Bux Palijo · Kery-lugar ain NRO - Na manzoor Na manzoor · Dahishat garidi ain Gunda Gardi - Band Kario band kario Besides the frequent appearances of Rasool Bux Palijo (Cardiac Patient), Advocate Ayaz Lalif Palijo, Sayed Aalam Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, Qadir Ranto, Hakeem Halepoto of Awami Tahreek and Umrah Samo, Zahida Shaikh, Nazir Qureshi, Husna Rahujo, Kalavanti Raja, Kalsoom Halepoto of Sindhiyani Tahreek are leading the March. Ayaz Latif Palijo (44), Awami Tahreek’s current president possessing moving and shaking personality and having very vast knowledge and grip over the issue of Sindh told that “Today Sindh is passing famine like situation. People are committing suicide and selling their children due allegedly made price hike and corruption. Broad day-light dacoity is made on water, finances, employment and resources of coming generations. How long the rulers embroil the people of Sindh in concocted stories? People are full of hatred and warmly contributing their part in struggle. Hugely participation of public and political groups irrespective of sociopolitical and religious affiliations proved that Sindh is united”. Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, General Secretary AT expressed the significance of march as “It’s a mammoth demonstration and protest ever held in Pakistan. Main theme of this protest is restoration of all rights of Sindh and establishment of democratic republic welfare state. We are not against any group or nation but we oppose those who perpetuate atrocities on Sindhis and other working classes of Pakistan. This march is organized against ongoing unemployment, price hike, terrorism, lawlessness, corruption and shortage of water for which we have received tremendous response from masses, people are hosting break fasts, Lunches, dinners and night stays voluntarily. ” Ms. Umrah Samo, President of Sindhiyani Tahreek, replied when asked about hot weather, hard journey, as “It is tiring at instant but energizing and interesting ahead public enthusiasm, supportive attitude, hospitality,

walking along, showering of rose petals, offering of foods, juices, sweets, snakes, tea and milks by common people in thousands. At start some were fairer but now we all are of same colour and complexions. Our refreshed health and fitness is just the byproduct of 46 days long march”. Many surprising and emotional scenes were observed; some are as under: 1). During passing through Ghauspur hundreds of Hindu Bagri women appeared and joined march singing songs in their own language. 2). In Kumb city Menghwar Community welcome the long march with many baskets of sweets and celebrated Deevali Festival with Caravan. 3). Huge group of Young Shaikh Community leading by Latif Shaikh received the long march like traditional Barat in Gambat and all danced for hours in the tunes of barati band-baja and drums. 4). Parents arranged the marriage of Sakina Maganhar but she joined March till the first ceremony of ‘wanwah’ and all marching women left her with placing ‘Mendi’ on her hand palms and marriage songs. 5). Two old age (above 75 years) persons Ahmed Laghari and Ali Ghulam Nizamani are determined to walk for 46 days and many youngster of 7-10 years are in the walk. Women with infants are surprising entries. 6). A man near Sakrand stopped his car and left his wife and three daughters in long march and come back at evening and repeated thrice. 7). Many Small tea hotel owners at rural side stopped the caravan and forcibly offered the tea to all persons free. Ended all milk and tea and started walking. 8). All Gadi Nahins of Dargahs came across like Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Inayat Shaheed Of Jhok Sharif have warmly and culturally welcomed with presenting Ajraks and singing sufi songs. Bravo! Awami Tahreek is well playing its role with befitting courage and sacrifice to aware, protest and project cause and demands in democratic and peaceful ways towards Government and all well wishers of Pakistan to resolve the issues and make the country go on in well and honoured manner. (Raja Jee is a social worker and civil society activist and can be contact at raja.jee.khi@gmail

Frontier Post AT flays NFC decision to announce award in Lahore G.N. Mughul KARACHI: President, Awami Tehrik (AT), Ayaz Latif Palijo, has bitterly criticised the announcement made from the platform of National Finance Commission (NFC) the other day that vital decisions about NFC Award would be taken in "Takht-e-Lahore". He wondered what sort of federation it is in which neither Quetta, nor Peshawar and Karachi are competent to take any vital decision about the distribution of resources while only "Takht-e-Lahore" have such powers? This was stated by Ayaz Latif Palijo while addressing a press conference at Karachi Press Club on Friday to divulge salient features of Long March launched by AT since 8th October from tribal belt Kandhkot and is going to conclude on 45th day near Karachi Press Club on Sunday. Ayaz Palijo, son of Rasul Bux Palijo, said in principle the decision announced by NFC to distribute NDP on multiple factors was welcomed but declared that if 70 per cent funds are distributed on the basis of population while only 5 per cent are distributed on the basis of revenue then it would just be peanut and would not be acceptable to the people of Sindh. He ridiculed the "thesis" that data about the consumption etc would be needed to evolve the formula and questioned as to who will monitor as to which commodities are produced in which province and in which province it is consumed. He expressed doubts that unnecessarily the issue was being hoodwinked to deceive the smaller provinces like Sindh. He said it means "they" want to create hurdles in the determination of Sindh's right on the basis of its revenue contribution. Palijo suggested that difference would have to be made between two categories of extremists - those who do not take arms and those who take arms. He said operation would have to be launched against those extremists who use arms while negotiations are advised to be held with those who do not take up arms. As for AT Long March, Ayaz Latif said that through this march seed has been sown for having a greater alliance of heterogenous political parties. Citing example, he said, when 8th October long march was started from Kandhkot, the workers and leaders of Jamiat e Islami, nationalist organisation JSQM (headed by Bashir Khan Qureshi), PPP Shaheed Bhutto group, and Sindh United Party (SUP) accompanied the march. While after few days JUI and STPP leaders participated the long march. Besides, he said, a large number of disgruntled PPP workers have also been part of the long march. Ayaz Latif Palijo said that long march is against corrupt ruling Government, its allies and their patron US. However, he made it clear that they did not intend to dislodge elected democracy to be replaced with some Generals.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=3262&ad=21-11-2009

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj)

Why Sindhi media is blocking coverage of Awami Tahreek’s Long March??? Raise your voice. by: Shamshad Khuwaja The way Sindhi media is ignoring the Long March of Awami Tahreek is not only shocking but rather an unethical act.. The Long March started from Kandhkot on 8th October and is being organized against ongoing unemployment, price-hike, terrorism, lawlessness and acute shortage of water in Sindh. For the last 39 days thousands of brave women and men passing through the tribal no-go-areas, towns, big cities and hundreds of thousands gathered in Hyderabad. When our sisters and elders are marching 20 to 25 kms under scorching sun, their feet are injured and Sindh TV, Awaz, Mehran, Dharti, Daily Ibrat, Tameer Sindh and Awami Awaz are covering each and every important moment of the painstaking Long March and even The Dawn, Geo and ARY relayed the live coverage of Hyderabad and Thatta, we don’t know under whose orders some Sindhi T.V. channels have completely blocked the coverage of the Long March of Awami Tahrik. The long march will ultimately reach at Karachi after 46 days and a grand peaceful protest rally of about a million people will be held in front of Press Club Karachi, Sindh… Sindhi media and all other channels and newspapers are our assets and we consider the journalists working in those offices as our honest and professional brothers and sisters but unfortunately some news channels are following the path of blackmailer JAMADAR JAARO KHAN pattern and walking on the tracks of dhoom, starplus and jassarat and other certain substandard newspapers and channels, our genuine peaceful democratic struggle, our culture , heritage and language is not being delivered to the world in the right way as it is, our media is good for nothing, its a very disappointing thing. Isn’t it the duty for every educated person to appeal in writing to the Sindhi media and other urdu and English newspapers and media to change their theme for the actual cause of spreading awareness of issues harming Sindh and 17 crore people of Pakistan and support struggle and culture of our motherland globally. People say that channels are after money and power and under the influence of few minsters and terrorists so they don’t bring truth in time..justify justly..or defend peoples rights daringly….most of politicians and feudals have purchased the media channels for their interests…moreover foreign powers, establishment and some terrorist organizations have got monopoly over these channels as they own them so we get all what they want to make us watch from their viewpoint….but the time has come when we should speak up and we must be careful and vigilant and monitor their role.

Daily Dawn KARACHI: Demand for giving Sindh its due rights By Our Staff Reporter , Monday, 23 Nov, 2009

KARACHI, Nov 22: Participants of a long march after covering 900 kilometres on foot in 46 days on arriving Karachi demanded that Sindh’s right over its resources should be accepted and income generated from all resources, including oil, gas and two seaports, should be handed over to the province. The long march, which started from Kandhkot under the auspices of the Sindh Awami Tehrik and was joined by other political parties on the way, reached Karachi on Sunday. A large number of woman activists of the Sindhyani Tehrik also participated in the march. The rally, which was led by Sindh Awami Tehrik chief Rasool Bakhsh Palejo, was addressed by Ayaz Latif Palejo, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party chairman Dr Qadir Magsi, National Workers Party leaders Yusuf Masti Khan and Usman Baloch, Tehrik-i-Insaf’s Imran Ismail, Sindh National Party’s Amir Bhambhro, PML-N’s Ismail Rahu, and Sindhi Shagird Tehrik’s Shah Mohammad Shah. The leaders said that exploitation of Sindh’s resources by successive rulers had increased poverty in the province. A resolution passed on the occasion demanded that in the next National Finance Commission Award, the principle of revenue generation and collection should be conceded and the Water Accord of 1991 should be implemented. The resolution said that those who had taken advantage of the NRO should be removed from the government. http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/thenewspaper/local/karachi-demand-for-giving-sindh-its-due-rights-319

The News International Awami Tehreek’s long march concludes Rally asks govt to deliver or quit Demands raising Sindh’s admission quota in Karachi-based educational institutions, higher positions for Sindhis in armed forces, appointment of Sindhi judges in SHC, Sindhi-speaking chief secretary and police chief. Monday, November 23, 2009, By Zeeshan Azmat The 46-day long march started by the Awami Tehreek (AT) on October 8 from Kandhkot culminated in Karachi on Sunday with a huge gathering on Zaibunissa Street, where speakers delivered fiery speeches criticizing the government and the United States. The gathering, which was scheduled to initially take place at the Karachi Press Club but owing to the sheer numbers had to be relocated to Zaibunissa Street near Rex Complex, Saddar, was addressed by the leaders of nationalist and religious parties, including veteran politician Rasool Bux Palijo. Palijo, in his speech to the ‘Awami Long March’, criticised the government for taking dictation from the United States and asked the government to control and run the country’s affairs on its own or quit. The senior politician also asked the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) beneficiaries to face charges in the courts. “Killing people is a greater sin than corruption, and those who are saying that they were not involved in corruption should face murder charges in the courts,” he said, adding: “it is unfortunate that a few people have taken over the control of the city and they have been given free hand by the authorities sitting in Islamabad.” Palijo said: “People should understand the issues and problems they are facing at the moment, as our governments have been trying to make this country a US colony. “The US imperials are worse than the British emperors. The US imperial kills even those who support and work for their agenda and the killing of General Ziaul Haq is one such example in this regard. “Liaquat Ali Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Benazir Bhutto were among those who had served US. However, no one asked why these leaders were killed and what the motive of their murder was.” He also quoted several incidents, including the fall of Dhaka as well as interference in Afghanistan, and linked it to the corruption of politicians to protect their own seats. Pointing to the feudals, he said that they were involved in land-grabbing and they also supported anti-social elements in Karachi. He alleged that former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan had offered weapons to Awami Tehrik (AT) to fight against other groups, but this offer was rejected by the party leadership. “We are peace-loving people and want to solve the issues of the people and not to keep them lingering,” he added. The Ziabunissa Street was completely packed with hundreds of Sindhi and Baloch nationalist parties’ activists and leaders. Workers of other organisations were also present carrying their respective party flags. The AT long march participants travelled for 46 continuous days to raise awareness among the people to realise their rights as well as for the establishment of a true democratic system based on people’s choice. Earlier, Central President AT Ayaz Latif Palijo alleged that the people of Sindh were not drawing any benefits from their own natural resources, and claimed that there was no water for the people of the province and the locals have been deprived of basic health and education facilities. “There is lawlessness in the country, particularly Sindh. The writ of the government is nowhere. We have to fight against all these odds,” he added. Ayaz Palijo also criticised President Zardari, saying that he made lots of promises before taking the charge but failed to deliver any. Ayaz Palijo, who delivered speeches in Sindhi, Urdu, English and Balochi, said that the people of Sindh

want provincial autonomy as per the 1940 Resolution and the natural resources of Sindh should be handed over to its people. On the occasion, a resolution was approved which demanded for raising Sindh’s admission quota in Karachi-based educational institutions by 80 per cent. It also demanded for giving Sindhis higher positions in the Armed forces, appointment of Sindhi judges in the High Court as well as inducting a Sindhi-speaking chief secretary and inspector general of police in the province. Ayaz Palijo asked the participants to observe one minute silence in memory of Shahnawaz Bhutto, Nadir Baloch, Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Abdullah Murad. Shah Muhammad Shah of Sindh Safe Movement said that not a single nationalist took advantage from NRO because “we are fighting for our rights and not for personal benefits”. President Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Dr Qadir Magsi said that the government never listens to the complaints of poor people, adding: “If the government does not stop this practice, the people would throw them out of power”. Marvi Memon of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid said that provincial autonomy would strengthen the federation. The representatives of Sindh United Party, Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto Group), Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Jamaat-e-Islami, Sindh National Party and various Baloch and Siraiki organisations also welcomed the rally and extended their support to AT

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209986

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj) AWAMI TAHREEK LONG MARCH: A remarkable & unprecedented massive show of strength Report by: Khalid Baloch Baloch-Sindhis, Kachee-Sindhis, Selawat-Sindhis, Seraiki-Sindhis and MemonSindhis of Karachi participated overwhelmingly The scene on M.A Jinnah Road Karachi and Saddar today was remarkable and unprecedented—hundreds of thousands of Sindhis marched into the heart of a major Pakistani city, stopping all traffic and disrupting business as usual for a whole weekend afternoon to demand that their voices be heard. Awami Tahreek protesters left their villages, towns, workplaces, and neighborhoods all over the Karachi region and beyond to converge on the front road of Mazzar-e-Quaid area. And they delivered an unmistakable NO to the discrimination and injustices against Sindhis, Balochs and other oppressed nations. This historic LONG MARCH led by Awami Tahreek’s president Ayaz Latif Palijo was a national show of strength and unity for the local population of Karachi, Thatta and Jamshoro Districts and sent shock-waves far and wide-throughout this metropolitan and the entire country. Thousands of marchers were walking since October 8th and hundreds of thousands arrived today in hundreds of chartered buses and trucks. Though the protesters were non-violent and were not attempting to obstruct any road, but their strength and movement jammed the taxis and the minibuses. Cars and vans stopped to pick up people on street corners who weren’t able to get on the crowded city buses heading toward the march starting point. Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek workers took to the streets in Karachi in protests timed to coincide with the announcement of NFC and Bill for the Provincial Autonomy and the two main speeches of Mr. Rasool Bux Palijo and Ayaz Latif Palijo paved the path for participants to shout, “Sindh belongs to Sindhis”, “Petrol, Gas, Coal, Port and Indus belong to Sindhis” and “Implement 1940 Resolution” Aerial news footages of TV channel showed the streets throughout the Mazzar-eQuaid and Zaibunissa Street packed with Sindhi women. Estimates of the size of this massive show of strength reached upwards of 180000 to 200000. The people who came out were mainly Sindhis, overwhelmingly party workers and followers of veteran thinker and politicians Rasool Bux Palijo but the participation of Balochs, Kachees and Seraikis was very important and positive. First time a march of a Sindhi Nationalist political party was the big head line evening news for all English, Urdu and Sindhi TV channels.(Dawn TV, GEO, Samaa, KTN, Sindh TV, Awaz, Mehran, Aaj, ARY, Duniya & Waqt TV) http://iaoj.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/awami-tahreek-long-march-a-remarkableunprecedented-massive-show-of-strength/#more-8944

Daily Times Atrocities against Sindh condemned By Irfan Ali KARACHI: Sindh Awami Tehreek (AT) chief Rasool Bux Palijo on Sunday addressed a huge gathering that was called to condemn the atrocities against Sindh, and demand the province’s rights including its due share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. Calling the gathering at Zaibunnisa Street a success, he said Sindh was suffering from many forms of injustice since the creation of Pakistan adding, “This long march has brought a message of unity and brotherhood for all the communities of the country.” The ‘Qaumi Awami Long March’ that started from Khandkot on October 8, under the leadership of AT chief, and the newly elected party president and human rights lawyer, Ayaz Latif Palijo, culminated after a 900 km walk. Thousands of people, including women and children, participated to demand provincial autonomy under the 1940 Resolution, a fair NFC Award, and basic amenities such as water, education etc. The participants also demanded measures against corruption, lawlessness, terrorism, unemployment, price hike and artificial inflation. Other participant parties were the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamaat-e-Islami, National Workers Party, Save Sindh Movement, and nationalist parties including Sindh Taraqi Passand Party, Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Sindh United Party and Sindh National Party. The AT chief said the migrants from India must sit with them as brothers and not adopt an imperialistic attitude towards Sindhis. Calling all immigrants illegal who came to Pakistan after 1954, he urged the government to send them back to India. He termed the National Reconciliation Ordinance a shameful act of shielding the perpetrators of heinous crimes against Sindhis, and said all culprits must be brought before a court of law. The AT chief also spoke about Benazir Bhutto’s murder and criticised the PPP leadership for its failure in taking any worthwhile action this regard, as well as its inability to arrest the killers of other political leaders and activists. Criticising the partnership between the PPP and the MQM on the occasion, he said President Zardari has the powers to appoint the chief of the army staff, but is powerless in posting a Sindhi speaking chief secretary and IGP for the province. The AT chief on the occasion invited Baloch, Pukhtoons, oppressed Punjabis and Siraikis for a joint struggle of rights. He said that the anti-women impression about Sindh would be dispersed today after a massive representation of women participants in the long march. Criticising the PPP government for selling out government jobs to ‘Waderas’ and ministers, he complained that the doors of educational institutions are closed for Sindhi students in Karachi. Terming the federal and city governments as usurpers, he condemned the forcible taking over of coal and oil reserves, islands and fishing areas of Sindh. He said the AT is not against any group or nation but is opposed to the perpetrators of atrocities. “The real heirs of Benazir Bhutto are the workers of the Awami Tehreek, who are struggling for the rights of the people,” he claimed and demanded that all the people mentioned in the NRO should resign from government posts. STPP Chief Dr Qadir Magsi said that the people whose murder cases were withdrawn under the NRO should be brought before the courts.

PML-Q MNA Marvi Memon said that her party is striving for the salvation of real issues faced by the people, adding that she will raise her voice in the National Assembly for the judicious share of Sindh in the NFC Award, water and other resources.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\11\23\story_23-112009_pg12_1

The Nation Country under symbolic US slavery: Palijo By: Ramzan Chandio | Published: November 23, 2009

KARACHI - The Chief of Sindhi Awami Tehreek (AT), Rasool Bux Palijo, has said that the country is under symbolic slavery of United States of America which is worse than the colonialism of British era. Addressing a huge gathering of Long March at Zaibunnisa Street here on Sunday, Palijo said that the USA was involved in the murders of all the rulers of the country, who were remained the agent of the USA in Pakistan. “Sindh is facing many forms of injustices since the creation of Pakistan and these atrocities are still continues. This Long March has brought the message of unity and brotherhood for all the communities of the country,” he added. The Qaumi Awami Long March was started in the leadership of Awami Tahreek’s chief Rasool Bux Palijo and newly elected Central President of the party and Human Rights lawyer, Ayaz Latif Palijo, from Kandhkot on October 8, 2009. Covering over 900 kilometres and 46 days of journey through walk, it culminated on November 22 (Sunday) at Karachi. Thousands of women, men and children participated in the Long March for provincial autonomy under 1940 Resolution, for judicious NFC Award, water, education, resources and rights of Sindh, and against corruption, lawlessness, terrorism, unemployment, price hike and inflation. Besides the leaders of the PML-Q, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), PML-N, Jamiat Islami, National Workers party, Save Sindh Movement, the nationalist parties of Sindh including Sindhi Taraqi Passand Party, JSQM, Sindh United Party, Sindh National Party had supported the struggle and also participated in the Long March. AT chief, in his speech, also extended offer to the communities who came from the India, to sit together as brothers but also warned that that they should not speak with the Sindhis as imperial masters. http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-englishonline/Regional/Karachi/23-Nov-2009/Country-under-symbolic-US-slavery-Palijo

Regional Times Long March held in Karachi Paleejo demands provincial autonomy for Sindh KARACHI: Awami Tehreek (AT) chief and political leader, Rasool Bux Palejo on Sunday said provincial autonomy should be given to Sindh according to the 1940 resolution, adding that its people should be given the ownership rights of the resources of the province. Addressing the participants of a Long March here, he said that the people of Sindh have been deprived of their due rights since 1947, adding that the purpose of holding a Long March is to highlight the grievances of the people and resolve them on a priority basis. Mr Palejo said that who will protect the national frontiers, if the military is tasked for an operation inside the country. The speakers on the occasion said that the rulers are busy with winning for the US and other western powers to get an extension in their service term.’ “We have been fighting against the oppressors since the time of Alexandra the Great and we have asked the establishment to stanch the measures against Sindh,” he observed. A large number of people, intellectuals and nationalists leaders participated in the Long March.—Agencies

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj)

JSQM, AT rallies: A salute to the heroes on the battlefield 23 11 2009

by: Aziz Narejo, TX

Pushed to the wall, the people in Sindh seem to be coming together. First JSQM’s mammoth rally of November 7 and now AT’s big public meeting at the culmination of its 46-day, 900-kilometer “Long March” in Karachi today. Another party, STP is to hold a grand rally in Karachi in January. Congratulations to Jeeaey Sindh Qaumi Muhaz and Awami Tahreek for their peaceful and highly successful rallies and best wishes to Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party for their upcoming event. It is auspicious to see major political parties and groups in Sindh coming together to work for the rights of the people. Hope their cooperation with each other will help end injustices and bring peace and prosperity to the people and the land who have suffered heavily during last 62 years under various democratic as well as undemocratic regimes. The next step should be sitting together of the leadership of these parties and groups and chalking out a plan to take Sindh back. Holding big rallies is good but should be considered only a beginning of a thorny and complex journey.

Indus Asia Online Journal (iaoj)

Historical Sindh Long March of 1000 kilometers 24 11 2009

By: Raja Jee

On 22nd November, Quomi Awami Long March led by Rasool Bux Palijo has reached Karachi, and thousands of Man, women and children marched from Mazar-eQuid to Imprest Market, the historical place from where Sindh played his role in 1857 war against British. Main leadership of Muslim League (N), Jamait-e-Islami, Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party, Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf, Muslim League (Q) and civil society showed absolute solidarity and participated in this Grand Peaceful Public Gathering of more than two hundred thousand Sindhis including about fifty thousand women. Participation and unanimous support of leaders of various political parties indicates that they are united over the issues and all called this event as most exceptional, mammoth, unique and longest protest march in Indo-Pak history and congratulated Awami Tahreek and Rasool Bux Palijo for this heart-awakening march. First time a march of a Sindhi Nationalist political party was the big head line evening news for all English, Urdu and Sindhi TV channels and named as a remarkable and unprecedented massive show of strength of indigenous local people. This march started from Kandh Kot, upper end of Sindh on 8th of October 2009 and by walking 20 to 25 kilometers daily thousands of marchers including men, women and children crossed Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, Gambat, Kandiaro, Noshehro Feroz, Moro, Qazi Ahmed, Sakrand, Hala, Bhit Shah, Hyderabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Shah Karim Bulri, Mirpur Bathoro, Sijawal, Thatto, Dabeji, Ghaghar phattak, Quidabad, Malir, Bhitai Abad, Gulistan-e-Johar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Guru Mander to reach Destination. This distance became around 1000 kilometers which was covered in 46 days as scheduled. The main route of March touched from one end to other end (North to South)of Sindh province where to cover the breadth/ other sides of Sindh merging short marches have also joined the main march which includes as (1). Ratodero to Shikarpur (2). Dadu to Moro (3). Nawabshah to Sakrand (4). Tando Allahyar to Hyderabad (5). Matli to Tando Mohammad Khan (6). Daro to Mirpur Bathoro. In this way this tree shaped march touched every district of Sindh. Distributed pamphlet tells the following aim and objectives: • Right of governance with complete autonomy as per 1940 resolution instead of rule of imperial forces and their agents. • Hold back the right over natural resources, oil, coal, gas, islands, and coastline. • Right of water of River Indus as per Sindh – Punjab Pact 1945 • Stoppage of controversial water projects i.e. Dams on river Indus and Thal canal. • Stop alleged settlements of outsiders in Sindh to convert indigenous population in minority. • Reject allotment of million acres of provincial land to non Sindhi population and multinational companies for illegal possession over cities.

• Restrain Sindhi students from admission in educational institutions of Karachi and preserving Institution from copy, weapon, Bhata culture. • Uproot all forms of Terrorism as state, urban, tribal, and religious in cities and lawlessness in rural areas by so called urban rulers and feudal lords. • Protest against Continuous unemployment and non observance of due share in jobs for Sindhis in judiciary, military, financial institutions, autonomous authorities and other departments. • Protest against Jirga system, Honour killing, Karo Kari, immature marriages and other violence against women and minorities. It is the fifth long march by Awami Tahreek first in December 1991 from Sukkur to Karachi, second in 1994 from Hyderabad to Karachi, third in 2001 from Bhitshah to Karachi, forth is from Sukkur to Karachi in 2005 and this is longest fifth one. There is no doubt in saying that Awami Tahreek always gained huge support from publics and their struggle remained peaceful and non-violent. No scratch on any vehicle or any damage to property or misbehave to any persons on any basis of sect, language or creed were reported so far. On the other hand in 2001, they faced baton charge, injuries, bloodshed, lockups, and tear gas shells each day by police in a bid to foil the long march and they set new example of bravery ahead the government blockade, torture, brutality and aggression and succeeded to reach Karachi peacefully. Awami Tahreek was formed on 1970 aiming to establish a welfare state with participation of renowned Marxist-Leninist-Maoist writers, political activists and intellectuals under leading theoretician Rasool Bux Palijo. Besides contribution in all democratic and human right struggles in Pakistan, the active role of Awami Tahreek is largely recognized in Anti One- Unit, MRD, Anti Kalabagh Dam, anti urban terrorism, restoration of judiciary , violence in educational institutions and violence against women and peasant in all over Pakistan. Founder of Awami Tahreek Rasool Bux Palijo (80) is a well-known politician of Pakistan and he earned the fame in struggling against feudalisms, marshal-laws, establishment, colonialism and imperialism. Besides top constitutional and criminal lawyer, he is an authority over world history, philosophy, science, religion and political theories and also wrote more than 40 books on numerous subjects. He remained about 11 years in jail and declared as Prisoner of Conscience by Amnesty International in 1981. Organizing women and Hindu scheduled Castes are his more remarkable and revolutionary traits. His continuous love, affection and guide uplifted them as first class citizens and He has broken the walls of untouchability and chains of women slavery very practically.

During passing through no-go area of Saradars in Kadh Kot, Rasool Bux Palijo expressed his views as “Through planned conspiracy, big cities of Sindh are handed over to terrorists while the rurals areas have been distributed to tribal chiefs and Jagidars and both are the agents of imperial forces. Feudalism and urban terrorism are being nourished by dictators and imperial agencies to maintain status quo. Criminal negligence of present government over the urban terrorism on Sindhi and tribal terrorism over women and Hindus are very shameful. However, the sons and

daughters of Sindh without any discrimination of caste, tribe, creed and religion are ready to play their role in struggle to get back sovereignty of Sindh and the resources of Sindh”. Averagely 500 men, women and children have walked in changing weather from hot to cold in the entire province on foot and when crossed through towns and cities the caravan turned into huge public gatherings. Leaders spoke there to highlight the issue and purposes. Caravan received warm welcome by local organizations, political parties, civil societies, bar associations at every stop along National Highway. There were singers who kept the participants energized with revolutionary songs of Shah Latif, Faiz Amed Faiz, Shaikh Ayaz, Habib Jalib, Ustad Bukhari, Sahir Ludhiyanvi, and Bhagat Kabir and also the well-worded poetic slogans were loudly chanted with pleasant rhythms as • Jo America jo yaar aa – Ghadaar aa Ghadar aa. • Qudarati waseela – Awam ji hawaley kario. • Karo-kari ain jirga system – Na manzoor no manzoor. • Daryan ji Aabadgari – Band Kario band kario • 12 May ain 18 October Ja qatil – Girftar kario Girftar kario • Jagia Jagia – Sindhi Jagia. • Sindhu te ko b dam – Na khapey Na khapey • Rahbar Sindhi Quom jo – Rasool Bux Palijo • Kery-lugar ain NRO – Na manzoor Na manzoor • Dahishat garidi ain Gunda Gardi – Band Kario band kario Besides the frequent appearances of Rasool Bux Palijo (Cardiac Patient), Advocate Ayaz Lalif Palijo, Sayed Aalam Shah, Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, Qadir Ranto, Hakeem Halepoto, Mazhar Rahujo of Awami Tahreek and Umrah Samo, Zahida Shaikh, Nazir Qureshi, Husna Rahujo, Marium Gopang, Kalavanti Raja, Fahmaida Soomro, Azmat Halepoto of Sindhiyani Tahreek are leading the March. Ayaz Latif Palijo (44), Awami Tahreek’s current president possessing moving and shaking personality and having very vast knowledge and grip over the issue of Sindh told that “Today Sindh is passing famine like situation. People are committing suicide and selling their children due allegedly made price hike and corruption. Broad daylight dacoity is made on water, finances, employment and resources of coming generations. How long the rulers embroil the people of Sindh in concocted stories? People are full of hatred and warmly contributing their part in struggle. Hugely participation of public and political groups irrespective of socio-political and religious affiliations proved that Sindh is united”. Mohammad Khan Bhurgri, General Secretary AT expressed the significance of march as “It’s a mammoth demonstration and protest ever held in Pakistan. Main theme of

this protest is restoration of all rights of Sindh and establishment of democratic republic welfare state. We are not against any group or nation but we oppose those who perpetuate atrocities on Sindhis and other working classes of Pakistan. This march is organized against ongoing unemployment, price hike, terrorism, lawlessness, corruption and shortage of water for which we have received tremendous response from masses, people are hosting break fasts, Lunches, dinners and night stays voluntarily. ” Ms. Umrah Samo, President of Sindhiyani Tahreek, replied when asked about hot weather, hard journey, as “It is tiring at instant but energizing and interesting ahead public enthusiasm, supportive attitude, hospitality, walking along, showering of rose petals, offering of foods, juices, sweets, snakes, tea and milks by common people in thousands. At start some were fairer but now we all are of same colour and complexions. Our refreshed health and fitness is just the byproduct of 46 days long march”. Many surprising and emotional scenes were observed; some memories shared by Mr. Riaz Ahmed Pechuho, a 46 days marcher, are as under: 1). During passing through Ghauspur hundreds of Hindu Bagri women appeared and joined march singing songs in their own language. 2). In Kumb city Menghwar Community welcome the long march with many baskets of sweets and celebrated Deevali Festival with Caravan. 3). Huge group of Young Shaikh Community leading by Latif Shaikh received the long march like traditional Barat in Gambat and all danced for hours in the tunes of barati band-baja and drums. 4). Parents arranged the marriage of Sakina Maganhar but she joined March till the first ceremony of ‘wanwah’ and all marching women left her with placing ‘Mendi’ on her hand palms and marriage songs. 5). Two old age (above 75 years) persons Ahmed Laghari and Ali Ghulam Nizamani are determined to walk for 46 days and many youngster of 7-10 years are in the walk. Women with infants are surprising entries. 6). A man near Sakrand stopped his car and left his wife and three daughters in long march and come back at evening and repeated thrice. 7). Many Small tea hotel owners at rural side stopped the caravan and forcibly offered the tea to all persons free. Ended all milk and tea and started walking. 8). All Gadi Nahins of Dargahs as came across like Hazrat Sachal Sarmast, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Inayat Shaheed Of Jhok Sharif have warmly and culturally welcomed with presenting Ajraks and singing sufi songs and showed complete solidarity with march objectives. 9). Feet of participants were wounded and swelled but the glow of their eyes were very shining and they kept the victorious smile on their faces.

10). Many women carried their milk feeding babies on their waists and continued 46 days march with a military discipline. Bravo! Awami Tahreek have played well its role with befitting courage and sacrifice to aware, protest and project the cause and demands of Sindh in democratic, disciplined and peaceful ways towards Government and all well wishers of Pakistan and stressed to resolve the issues and make the country go on in well and honoured manner. (The writer is a social worker and civil society activist. He can be reached at [email protected]. ) http://iaoj.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/historical-sindh-long-march-of-1000kilometers/#more-8964

For more information, please log on www.atsindh.com or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Awami-Tahreek-Sindh-LongMarch/151709114110