HYDERABAD, Oct 8: The Sindh Democratic Forum has rejected Port Qasim’s claim on Bundar and Buddo islands of Sindh on the basis that the port itself is situated on land leased by the Sindh government.

The forum said that the port had no right to allot a single inch of land without proper legal procedure and permission from the Sindh government.

It condemned the port authorities for being a party to the illegal allotment of land transaction to a foreign company.

At its meeting held here on Sunday, leaders expressed dismay and serious concern over the sale of two Bundar and Buddo islands to a UAE-based firm Emmar for the construction of a so-called modern city.

It criticised the statement of the Sindh chief minister in which he had undermined the status of land which belonged to the province and was owned by its people.

The meeting said that islands along Sindh coast portrayed culture, history, development and national identity of the people of Sindh.

The meeting said that the development of the entire Sindh down to the interior was very important which should not be limited to only selected areas of already developed metropolitan parts of the province as it was in contravention of principles of economic planning and development thorough out the world.

It took exception to the decision of the federal government that without asking local communities the two islands were being disposed of.

The meeting said that all lands, islands, and coastal areas belonged to Sindh under the Constitution and the federal government should refrain from doing such things in future which hamper the autonomy of provinces and create further mistrust among the people.

It said that the development was a prerequisite for economic growth, generating employment, social uplift, and reduction in poverty but pointed out that major parts of Sindh were completely devoid of development specially coastal areas which include districts of Badin and were facing acute poverty, health, and social problems due to non-development.

It said that it would be proper to extend this investment to these areas as well and Thatta and other Coastal areas be made part of this investment.

The SDF demanded that for initiating any mega project with huge investment as this one the local communities be taken into confidence so that their livelihood, businesses do not suffer and care must be taken to protect the environment, flora and fauna and the growth of fisheries and mangroves and other natural species.

It demanded that because of absence of any constitutional and legal mechanism to ensure equal opportunities of employment, progress and prosperity for the indigenous people of Sindh, a parliamentary committee comprising representatives of political parties, legislators, civil society representatives and local persons be appointed till the matter is legally decided as to how and where the development should take place and ensure that foreign firms do not become the owners of our lands.

SDF Convener Abrar Kazi, secretary Zulfiqar Halepoto, Ibrahim Joyo, Dr Rajab Memon, Professor Mushtaq Merani, A. A. Qureshi, Nazeer Memon, Dr Nazeer Sheikh, Syed Shafiq Shah and Aslam Baloch attended the meeting.