Support in stopping exploitation of “Bundal” and “Buddo” islands in Pakistan!  

Dear World Citizen, 

It is quite rare when we encounter a dangerous scheme that not only poses an enormous threat to environment but also threatens livelihood of indigenous people, and is imposed illegally and without regards to constitutional rights of people. The construction of the proposed concrete jungle will destroy the echo system, eliminating thousands of acres of mangrove forests as well as the sea life, including shrimp and other shellfish that grow in the mangrove forests. Please read on if you are concerned about this deteriorating environment, marine life, mangroves and livelihood of fishing communities and help to put a stop this destructive plan by signing this petition!

This environmental disaster in the name of development of a new jungle of buildings is proposed for two small islands named “Bundal” and “Buddo” located less than two miles from Sindh’s coastal area in Arabian Sea. The islands serve as a protective barrier against rising sea levels and climate change. The mangroves provide a breeding ground for the shrimp and shellfish, prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments and maintain water quality by filtering pollutants originating from land. The plan calls for building new mega cities near Karachi lined with skyscrapers, by bulldozing mangrove forests, putting an end to rich bird and fish habitat of islands and destroying livelihoods of many fishing communities that have depended on these two islands for years.   

The federal government of Pakistan secretly passed a presidential ordinance on the grounds of extraordinary circumstances by avoiding any discussion in senate and national assembly as per constitution of Pakistan. Being aware of the massive opposition from the local indigenous communities the ordinance was not made public immediately, which speaks to the secretive and malicious intentions behind the presidential ordinance. The Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) ordinance was promulgated in August 2020 and made public after two months.    

According to constitution of Pakistan, these islands belong to the province of Sindh. The Federal Government of Pakistan does not have constitutional right to change the boundaries of any province by passing a presidential ordinance; such a change first requires a two third majority resolution from concerned provincial assembly. The entire process of passing the presidential ordinance, creating the PIDA and taking provincial land into the control of federal government is contrary to the provisions of the constitution of Pakistan.

The Central government’s stance is that the two islands would be developed in collaboration with international builders to mirror luxury residential communities, the likes of which are found only in rich and developed countries. These communities will only serve the elite class and demolish the existing fishing villages. Given the average income of Pakistan’s middle class population, there is a growing need to develop affordable housing rather than building glass cities for a few rich people. 

The people of Pakistan are protesting against this autocratic move and environmental disaster in making and calling upon the provincial government to pass a resolution in the local parliament to repeal the ordinance. We need your support to stop this invasive urbanization project that will disturb the livelihood of thousands of fishing families, violate the democratic and fundamental rights of local people.

We need support of all world citizens just like you to stop this massive project that will cause huge destruction of environment, eliminate livelihood of thousands of fishing families, and violate democratic and fundamental rights of local people. 

Thank you for reading our petition! Please sign it to show your support!

Sindhi Association of North America (SANA)
www.sanaonline.org