Karoonjhar uproar: lawyers protest against mining

Lawyers from the Sindh High Court Bar, Karachi Bar, and the All Sindh Lawyers Action Committee staged a protest outside the Chief Minister's House against the cutting and mining of Karoonjhar Hills. Large rallies were held, with participants chanting slogans vocally demanding the protection of the historic hills.

The protests came to a peaceful end after successful negotiations between the lawyers' associations and the Sindh government. The provincial ministers provided assurances regarding the approval of the lawyers' charter of demands, prompting the lawyers to disperse peacefully.

The rallies began from the SHC and proceeded to the CM House, with significant participation from members of the legal community. Demonstrations were also held at PIDC Chowk.

A delegation led by Sindh High Court Bar Association President Barrister Sarfraz Metlo met with Sindh Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, while Karachi Bar Association President Aamir Nawaz Waraich's delegation held talks with Local Government Minister Naseer Hussain Shah. Both bar presidents presented a charter of demands to the provincial ministers.

During the meetings, the ministers acknowledged the legitimacy of the lawyers' protest and emphasised shared concerns over canal and water issues. They stated that the decision regarding canal projects had already been withdrawn under the chairman's instructions. Assurances were given that the government stands with the lawyers on the Karoonjhar Hills issue and would fully represent their stance in the assembly.

Following the successful negotiations, Barrister Sarfraz Metlo expressed gratitude to the media and civil society for their support and confirmed that the charter of demands had been submitted to the law minister. The law minister informed that mining contracts had been issued by the caretaker government and assured that appeals would be withdrawn. The Karoonjhar Hills would be declared a heritage site, and a 15-day period has been set to resolve all related matters.

After the High Court Bar protest, the Karachi Bar Association also held a rally from the High Court to the CM House, during which police attempts to block the march led to minor scuffles. Some lawyers climbed containers set up as barricades.

Aamir Nawaz Waraich said that the mining of Karoonjhar Hills goes against Sindh's interests and pledged that protests would continue until the government officially withdraws the decision. After meeting with Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Waraich said the provincial government had assured that the appeal would be withdrawn and Karoonjhar Hills preserved.