Different farmers' organisations have decided to observe March 22nd as 'Protest Day' which was designated in 1993 by the United Nations as 'World Water Day' with an objective to take action to tackle the water crisis. Since then the day is coordinated by UN-Water in collaboration with governments and partners.
Speaking at a joint meeting of the Pakistan Kissan Movement, Kissan Raaj Movement, Kissan Ittehad, Anjuman Kashtkaran, Pakistan Water Movement and others, Kissan Board Pakistan's Central President Ch Nisar Ahmad announced to hold public meetings, seminars and media meetings to highlight the objective of the day as well as to condemn Indian water aggression against Pakistan. He alleged that the Pakistani government displayed criminal negligence on Indian water stealing.
The rulers never lodged a strong protest when India stopped Pakistan's share of water.He said Indian water aggression was the biggest internal and external issue being faced by Pakistan but no government ever took up the issue seriously on international level.
Ch Nisar appealed the growers to hoist black flags on their rooftops and wear black bands around their arms on world water day. He announced to hold two public meetings in Narowal District on March 22 and a third one in Naushehra Virkan the next day. Meanwhile, LCCI President Abdul Basit, Senior Vice President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said that Pakistan is an agrarian country and cannot afford water dearth at any cost but unfortunately no strategy has been evolved to tackle this major issue.
They said the country is dependent on only two big dams including Tarbela and Mangla. It is a matter of concern that water storage capacity of the two dams has been reduced significantly and situation will become more concerning with the passage of time.