Violence broke out in Pakistan’s Sindh province during protests against the government’s plan to take water from the Indus River. Things got worse when angry protesters set fire to the house of Sindh’s Home Minister, Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar. This shocking event has raised serious concerns about whether the government can control public anger and keep people safe. Many videos on social media show protesters walking around openly with AK-47 rifles and other guns.
पाकिस्तान के सिंध प्रांत में उग्र भीड़ ने मंत्री का घर जलाया, प्रदर्शन में दो लोगों की मौत। सिंध के मोरो में नहरों को लेकर हुए विवाद के बाद हालात बेकाबू #sindh #pakistan pic.twitter.com/pSFcwZHaSX
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Water Crisis In Pakistan
The unrest started when protesters, reportedly led by a Sindhi nationalist group, tried to hold a sit-in on the National Highway. They were protesting against the federal government’s plan to build six canals from the Indus River to provide water to the Cholistan desert. The Sindh government and nationalist groups are against this project because they believe it will reduce Sindh’s share of water and harm the state’s farming.
Protests intensify in Pakistan's Sindh, after the Pak Military fired live ammunition on protestors in Ferozpur.
People of Sindh are protesting against construction of canals on Indus to divert water to Punjab.
House of Provincial Home Minister set on fire.#FailedStatePakistan pic.twitter.com/GjGqupPeFQ---Advertisement---— Rashtriya Rifles (@DeltaRR2000) May 21, 2025
Home Minister’s House Torched
Agitated protestors set Sindh’s Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar’s house on fire. Videos on social media showed individuals carrying rifles roaming freely and opening fire. The mob vandalised the property, torched household items, and burned two cargo trailers parked outside. Lanjar strongly condemned the violence and asked for a full investigation. Police teams from Nawabshah, Dadu, and Hyderabad were sent to support the local police and bring the situation under control. Sindh government spokesperson Aqraba Fatima said the attack was like challenging the authority of the state. She warned that the government will not just watch quietly and do nothing.
Indus River Effect
India and Pakistan have an agreement called the Indus Water Treaty to share the water of the Indus River. But if Pakistan builds new canals, it could change how the water is shared and cause problems between the two countries. After a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists died, India stopped following the treaty. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, which happened on April 22nd, India had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, which is expected to impact Pakistan badly.
