THE Pakistan Islands Development Authority Ordinance was promulgated on Aug 31, whereby Bundal and Baddo islands in the coastal waters of Karachi were placed under the control and jurisdiction of the federal government.

The ordinance is primarily against the basic territorial provisions of the Constitution, like Articles 1(2), 172, 97 and 142. The ordinance is against the letter and spirit of the 18th amendment, which has granted considerable autonomy to the provinces.

The islands, contiguous to the province of Sindh are a part of that province. Historical records would also support the fact. It would be dangerous to contend that the islands are not a part of Sindh as this would open the suggestion that they are not a part of the territory of Pakistan.

Real estate developers and their supporters in the ruling elite have long had their eye on the two islands in question. The area is ecologically important as it is part of the Indus delta where the mangrove forest cover is a breeding ground for shrimp and other shellfish.

The ordinance is a clear violation of constitutional rights. Its hasty promulgation without discussion in parliament also points to the mala fide of those behind the move. It should be withdrawn to avoid further misunderstandings between the Centre and Sindh.

Abdul Qayoom Ansari
Lahore

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2020