APROPOS the news item ‘Minister adds to row, says PPP govt handed over twin islands’ (Oct 7), regardless of who is the owner of Buddo and Bundal islands, the administration should be given to Port Qasim Authority. About 15-16 years ago, there was a proposal to hand these islands over to private parties. Diverse views, legal and others, can be found in official files.

The idea to utilise the islands and benefit some business houses was then abandoned because it was realised that the location of the islands was extremely important from two angles: defence of the country; and convenient and inexpensive movement of cargo between the port and the city.

For the sake of the country, we should get rid of greed and personal glory for once, and not make a commercial venture indulge in moneymaking projects. Someone from civil society should move relevant courts to call for all the files on the subject from the government and elicit opinions of the experts on the matter.

Qamar I. Abbas
Karachi

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2020