LARKANA, Aug. 1: Several tragic incidents and public activities marked the day in Larkana district, including the drowning of three children, the death of a young man under disputed circumstances, teachers announcing a province-wide protest movement, and various social, educational, religious, and literary events.
The most heartbreaking incident occurred in Pir Jahangara village near Larkana, where three young children drowned in a water pit after reportedly slipping while returning home. According to local sources, five-year-old Muhammad Haseeb, son of Khaliq Dino Kalhoro, six-year-old Saeed Ahmed, son of Wahid Bux Kalhoro, and his three-year-old brother Rizwan Kalhoro accidentally fell into the water.
Family members rushed to the scene after hearing cries for help and pulled the children from the pit before taking them to the Emergency Ward of Chandka Hospital. Doctors, however, confirmed that all three children had already passed away.
Relatives said the children had been delivering food to family members working in agricultural fields and were returning to the village when the accident occurred. Following legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to their families for burial. The incident cast a shadow of grief over the village, with mourning families and residents expressing deep sorrow.
In another incident, an 18-year-old youth, Mudassar Tunio, died during treatment at Chandka Hospital after being brought there unconscious from Wagan town. His relatives staged a protest outside the hospital, alleging medical negligence.
Mudassar’s uncle, Habdar Ali Chandio, claimed the young man had gone missing a day earlier and was later found unconscious at an acquaintance’s residence. He alleged that doctors failed to provide timely treatment for nearly two hours, resulting in the youth’s death. The family demanded an impartial investigation into both the circumstances of his death and the alleged negligence of hospital staff.
Meanwhile, the Larkana Union of Journalists (LUJ) held a reception at the Larkana Press Club to honor its newly elected office-bearers. Senior journalists, photographers, and media workers attended the event. Traditional Sindhi caps and Ajrak shawls were presented to the new leadership.
Press Club President Abdul Qadir Jagirani assured the union of full cooperation in addressing journalists’ professional issues. LUJ President Sarkash Sudhayo pledged to work for the welfare of media professionals and strengthen the organization through coordination with journalists across the district.
The Sindhi Adabi Sangat, Larkana chapter, also organized a literary gathering to mark the annual Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Scholars and writers highlighted the poet’s literary contributions, describing him as one of the greatest poets of the world and praising his role in preserving the Sindhi language and culture. Participants also criticized proposals regarding the administrative division of Sindh, reiterating their opposition to any move that would divide the province.
Educational institutions also observed environmental activities as Government Boys Degree College Larkana launched a tree plantation campaign under the national “Green Pakistan” initiative. College Principal Prof. Abdul Wahid Chandio, Regional Director Colleges Dr. Karam Hussain Wadho, Forest Department officials, Green Sindh Foundation representatives, and students participated in the ceremony. Speakers emphasized the importance of plantation efforts in addressing climate change and creating a greener environment.
The All Sindh Primary Teachers Association (PTAF) announced a phased protest movement against the delay in issuing the notification for the long-awaited service structure of primary school teachers.
PTAF President Haji Shafee Muhammad Sathio said teachers across Sindh would submit petitions to the Chief Minister and Education Minister from August 11 to 13, followed by rallies and symbolic hunger strikes at tehsil headquarters from August 22 to 24. District-level demonstrations are scheduled for September 5 and 6, while a long march from Bhit Shah to Karachi will begin on September 12. Another march from Karachi Press Club to Bilawal House is planned for October 15 if the demands remain unresolved.
The association claimed that despite approvals from the Education Department and Chief Minister, the Finance Department had delayed implementation of the service structure. PTAF leaders argued that financial objections raised by officials were inconsistent with estimates prepared by the Education Department and demanded immediate notification of the approved framework.
Preparations for Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) also gathered momentum as religious scholars, political representatives, local administration officials, and community leaders met in Larkana to coordinate celebrations. Participants proposed uninterrupted electricity and gas supply during the first fifteen days of Rabi-ul-Awwal, extensive illumination of mosques and public buildings, installation of decorative flags, water arrangements for processions, and awareness programs in educational institutions. Organizers also urged people not to throw sweets or religious offerings from rooftops during processions to prevent accidents.
In another protest, contractor Abdul Ghaffar Junejo demonstrated outside the Larkana Press Club, alleging he had been denied his lawful share in ancestral agricultural land located in Qambar district. He accused relatives and influential persons of illegally occupying his portion of the property and demanded action from the authorities.
Student organizations at Chandka Medical College, including SPAF, Shaheed Bhutto, Progressive Students Federation, and STAF, organized a solidarity rally supporting candidates demanding reforms in the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). Protesters called for transparent recruitment procedures, an impartial inquiry into alleged irregularities in the 2024 examinations, and fresh examinations based strictly on merit.
Another ongoing protest was staged by IBA test-qualified 40-plus PST and JEST waiting candidates, who continued their sit-in for the eighth consecutive day at Jinnah Bagh. Protest leaders said they had passed recruitment tests on merit but were still awaiting appointment orders. They appealed to the Sindh government and the newly formed special committee of the Sindh Assembly to resolve the issue promptly by filling vacant teaching positions and ensuring merit-based recruitment across the province.
The candidates warned that if no practical decision was made soon, they would expand their protest campaign, including demonstrations at major public locations and a planned sit-in outside Bilawal House. The protesters insisted that their movement was aimed solely at securing employment through a transparent and fair recruitment process.
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