Campaigns
Occupation of Islands
Story of islands and PFF struggle
Issue
President of Pakistan through an ordinance on September 2, 2020 has constituted Pakistan Islands Development Authority to develop islands of Sindh and Balochistan and initially construct city over twin islands of Buddo (Dingi) and Bundal (Bhundar). The twin islands are situated near Karachi’s Defense Phase 8. According to an estimate, these two islands are spread over 12,000 acres.
According to the law, sea waters from the shore to 12 nautical miles fall under provincial property, while beyond that it is property of the federal government. These islands fall under 12 nautical miles.
There are around 300 small and big islands in the Sindh coastal belt, made by the Indus River, which are historical property of the fishermen while Sindh government is custodian of these islands.
Background
The previous governments have also tried to construct city over the twin islands. In 2006, Development of “Diamond Bar Island City” on Bundal (Bhundar) and Buddo (Dingi) islands was howling the fisherfolk community. In order to bring the foreign direct investment (FDI), livelihood of the fishermen was put on altar. Unfortunately, the people have never been consulted in Pakistan.
Along with other environmental concerns. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum has some serious concerns over the development of the new city.
Firstly, thousands of fishermen fish in creeks, many of them rest on these Buddo and Bundal islands. They dry fish and clean their nets. These fishermen would not be allowed to rest and dry their catch on these islands if the city is constructed. Secondly, the area between reclaimed land of the defense housing authority (DHA) and the Buddo Island is a path for the fishermen to go in the open sea. The construction of the new city on these islands would deny their entry in the open sea. Thirdly, sea is already polluted with 300 MGD (million gallon daily) untreated waste of Karachi, which has threatened sea life. Construction of the new city would pollute the remaining clean waters, if any, which would result in complete destruction of the marine life and the environment. Fourthly, mangrove forests adjacent to these twin islands, which come under proposed construction, would not sustain in the new city. They serve as breeding grounds for fish and shrimp.
Ramsar Convention
These islands are wetlands of the Indus River and a part of the Indus delta, which is declared a Ramsar site. Pakistan signed the treaty in 1976. Unfortunately, these protected and internationally important sites are under threat of the so-called development and the investment.
PFF struggle
Press Conference (September 15, 2020)
A press conference was conducted on September 15 at Karachi Press Club on island issue. Participants from Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Aurat Foundation and other organisations participated. They wowed to continue their struggle till the decision of construction of the city is reversed.
Consultative meeting (October 3, 2020)
A consultative meeting of political, civil society organizations, lawyers, academia was organized to formulate plan against the construction of city over twin islands. Around 60 organisations and individuals participated in the meeting. They also adopted resolutions that rejected the construction and empowered PFF Chairman Muhammad Ali Shah to head the coalition against such motive of the federal government. Representatives of Pakistan Peoples Party, Awami Tehreek, Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Mahaz and others participated.
Samoondi Bait Bachayo Tehreek (Save Sea Islands Movement) formed (October 7, 2020)
Five civil society organisations that organized consultative meeting on October 3, met again and formed “Samoondi Bait Bachayo Tehreek” (Save Sea Islands Movement). Organisations included Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Indigenous Rights Alliance and Aurat Foundation. PFF Chairman Muhammad Ali Shah was assigned task of the convener. The Tehreek has held several meetings since its formation.
Boat rally to twin islands (October 15, 2020)
PFF hosted boat rally of the newly formed movement. It was a massive and unique rally of its kind, which was participated by more than 20 fishing boats with hundreds of participants including representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, academia, writers, poets, lawyers, students, media and fishermen. Lawmakers of Pakistan Peoples Party from Malir district also participated in it.
The participants of rally were restricted from vising Dingi island by a law enforcement agency of Pak Navy. Later they moved to Bhundar island but could not anchor the boats due to low tide. The rally was addressed from a boat by the leadership.
Success Story
Sindh Assembly Resolution (October 21, 2020)
The movement received first step of success on October 21, when majority legislatures of Provincial Assembly of Sindh adopted a resolution against construction of city over the twin islands and demanded the federal government to reverse the Presidential Ordinance for constitution of Pakistan Islands Development Authority. The resolution was submitted by Mahmood Alam Jamot, a leader of the fisherfolk community of Ibrahim Hyderi. He was also a part of the boat rally on October 15. Sindh’s other political parties also followed PFF and protested against the ordinance throughout the province.
Way Forward
Though the struggle received its first success with Sindh Assembly adopted the resolution against the presidential ordinance. Yet, it has not been reversed. Thus, PFF along with other member organisations of the movement wows to continue the struggle until the ordinance is reversed and occupation of the islands is over. It must be mentioned that a security agency has occupied Dindi island since last one year.