THE islands that are within the maritime boundaries of Sindh have been planned to be used by the federal authorities. The decision has led to a growing anger and frustration among the people of Sindh. The federal government shall rethink the matter as it is directly connected with the livelihood of the people and is also a threat to the very existence of the inhabitants of these islands.

This issue also directly affects the natural eco-system, aquatic life and the mangroves, which together help Sindh balance its water-cycle. Real estate giants have already played havoc by displacing the inhabitants through fear and intimidation through local power brokers in the name of development. These are the people who are already planning to build new cities in these islands.

The decision is against the desires and aspirations of the people of Sindh, and their right to have control over their natural resources and land. Arbitrary decisions like this would deteriorate and erode people’s belief and faith in the democratic setup.

Sanwal Thebo
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2020