In a striking development from Pakistan’s Sindh province. As India suspends the Indus Water Treaty in response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, long-standing discontent in Sindh intensifies. Demonstrators raised placards of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a large-scale pro-freedom rally demanding the creation of an independent Sindhudesh.
The protest, held in Sann, Jamshoro district, marked the 117th birth anniversary of Sindhi nationalist leader GM Syed and comes amid growing unrest and worsening internal fractures within Pakistan.
Cradle of a Civilization, Now Parched by Design
Sindh, the ancient seat of the Indus Valley civilization, is being pushed to the brink—not by nature, but by deliberate state policy. Punjab, the dominant political force in Pakistan. Has intensified plans to construct new canals diverting Indus waters into its desert regions. With India now regulating the upstream flow after Operation Sindoor, Sindh faces catastrophic shortages if additional diversions are realized.
To Sindhis, this is not just mismanagement. It is perceived as a strategic chokehold designed to weaken their autonomy and way of life.
Sindhudesh Calls on Bharat for Recognition
Thousands gathered in Sann, Jamshoro—birthplace of Sindhi nationalist GM Syed—on his 117th birth anniversary, not only carrying local banners but also waving placards of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This unprecedented move signals a direct appeal to Bharat: the Sindhi cause seeks global and regional attention, especially from a neighbour that once helped birth Bangladesh.
Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM) chairman Shafi Muhammad Burfat remarked, “We are enslaved by Punjabi Islamist tyranny. Sindh was free once. It must be again.”
Water Crisis Fuels Separatism
Adding fuel to the fire is the escalating water crisis. Punjab province, Pakistan’s political powerhouse, is pushing aggressive plans to divert Indus River water via new canal constructions into its own arid regions. But with India placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack, the net inflow of water into Pakistan is set to drop significantly.
Sindh, already struggling with diminishing water access, sees this move as an existential threat. If Punjab proceeds, it could cripple Sindh’s agriculture and economy. Many now view this resource grab as an extension of Punjabi imperialism. And a key reason the Sindhudesh movement is gaining renewed momentum.
Historic Grievances, Modern Flashpoints
For decades, Sindhis have accused Islamabad of marginalizing them in governance, economy, and security. The latest developments—ranging from water diversion to suppression of cultural identity—have transformed old grievances into active agitation.
The Pakistan Army’s brutal crackdowns on Sindhi activists, forced disappearances, and media blackouts have only hardened the resolve of the freedom-seekers. The government’s failure to address regional inequities while rewarding military figures like General Munir, who hid during the conflict, only deepens the anger.
A Failing State’s Fear
Predictably, Pakistan’s response has been one of repression. The state has resorted to widespread arrests, forced disappearances, and a near-total media blackout to stifle the Sindhudesh narrative. However, following military setbacks post-Operation Sindoor and mounting public dissent, the state’s coercive apparatus is losing effectiveness.
Bharat’s Strategic Leverage
Bharat has not expressed any official support for separatist movements across its borders. But the rise of Sindhudesh raises critical questions about Pakistan’s viability as a federal and inclusive nation-state. As Pakistan’s internal contradictions come to a head, Bharat must remain observant and prepared.
India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. And launch cross-border precision strikes under Operation Sindoor has clearly impacted Pakistan’s internal cohesion. As India recalibrates its Pakistan doctrine, from passive response to strategic escalation.The ripple effects are now manifesting in the streets of Sindh, Balochistan, and beyond.