People throng Indus River to highlight water pollution.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN -- Scores of people wearing Saraiki Ajrak and carrying flower petals arrived from Tank, Prova, Paharpur and other adjoining areas to express concern over pollution in the Indus River.

They threw rose petals in the Indus River and danced to the drumbeat to discourage water pollution. The event was organised by a literary organisation Sapat Sindhu Salhaarr here on Sunday. The event was held on March 19 instead of the scheduled date of March 23 because of the upcoming holy month of Ramazan.

The participants of the rally gathered on Circular Road and presented a traditional dance. Wearing Saraiki Ajrak, political workers, civil society members, literati and people from different walks of life attended the rally.

Malik Asif Ali, chairman of Sapat Sindhu Salhar, said on the occasion that they had been holding the event for the last 12 years. He said that the Indus was the custodian of the ancient civilisation of Dera Ismail Khan and its water was a symbol of life.

Govt asked to set up treatment plant along the river

He said that government should set up a treatment plant along the river to ensure its protection. He said that government should devise a plan to prevent contamination of the water of the Indus.

Dr Nauman Latif Saduzai, a water reservoirs and environment expert, told Dawn that by laying drainage canals in the Indus, the...