On 14 March 2025, members of the Hindu community held a protest, took out a rally and staged a sit-in in Kadhan town (Badin, Sindh), opposing the federal government's plan to construct six new canals on the Indus River.

Summary

On March 14, 2025, the Hindu community in Kadan Town, Badin district, Sindh Province, Pakistan, conducted peaceful protests against plans to construct 6 new canals in the Indus River. Currently classified as low-intensity demonstrations, this reflects community conflicts surrounding the development of Pakistan's critical water resource infrastructure.

Supply-chain impact

• Agricultural production: The Indus River basin is a core region for Pakistan's agricultural production, and if water resource allocation conflicts spread, major crops such as cotton, rice, and wheat could face medium to long-term production impacts
• Hydroelectric power: Delays in Indus River system development could negatively affect Pakistan's power supply stability, raising concerns about reduced manufacturing capacity utilization
• Regional logistics: Heightened social tensions in southern Sindh Province could potentially impact agricultural transport routes to Karachi Port
• Religious and ethnic conflicts: If Hindu minority protests expand, they could lead to social instability across Sindh Province, potentially contracting economic activities

Watch points

• Need to track the Pakistani federal government's Indus River canal construction project timeline and progress in community consultations
• Monitor potential spread of religious conflicts between Hindu communities and the Muslim majority in Sindh Province, and trends in additional protest occurrences
• Assess practical impacts on Karachi Port accessibility and logistics flows in Sindh Province agricultural regions