The members of Karachi Bar Association (KBA) dubbed on Wednesday the ordinance promulgated to establish the Pakistan Islands Development Authority “a black law”, and demanded its withdrawal.
President Dr Arif Alvi promulgated on September 1 the ordinance for establishing “Pakistan Islands Development Authority” for “the development and management of islands in internal and territorial waters of Pakistan”. Its ultimate objective was stated to be development of cities on the islands.
The move initiated a tug of war between the Centre and the Sindh government, both laying their claim on the twin islands of Bhandar and Dingi.
Condemning the ordinance on Wednesday during a press conference at the Karachi City Court, KBA President Munir Ahmed Malik said that Sindh and its people had the first right on the islands.
“Why isn’t the federal government abiding by the 18th Amendment?” he remarked, implying that the promulgation of the ordinance was unconstitutional and warning the federal government against making such moves.
He said a bigger issue was of missing persons that demanded the attention of both, the federal and the Sindh government.
“It is a matter of human rights and the KBA demands missing persons recovery, following which legal action may be taken against those found involved in criminal activities among them,” added Malik.
Besides, KBA secretary GM Korai said clause 172 clearly declared provinces’ authority on islands. He said the islands ordinance was a “black law”, and warned of staging sit-ins and making calls for strikes if it was not repealed.
According to Korai, the twin islands of Bhandar and Dingi are a source of income for fishermen and locals. On the other hand, the federal government plans on bringing people from all over the world to the islands while neglecting the local population, he claimed.
Korai said the KBA had always raised voice against the violation of laws.
“No action should be taken that goes against the law,” he added.
He also protested the arrest of lawyers.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2020.
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