Legal experts to settle Bundal Island dispute
From Zeeshan Mirza

KARACHI—A meeting was held in Karachi on Tuesday in connection with the Bundal Island located off the coast of Karachi. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, who chaired the meeting told newsmen that the purpose of this consultative meeting was to resolve the legal interpretation of issues between Sindh Government and the Port Qasim Authority.
He said it has been decided that the legal experts from both the sides would consult and arrive at a strategy which would be implemented. The Prime Minister made it clear that there would not be any injustice with the province of Sindh or any organization and all would get their due rights.
He stated that there has been a specific directive that there should not be any hindrance in the fishing rights and access of the fishermen of the area.
A consultative meeting was held at the Governor House here on Monday in connection with the Bundal Island located off the coast of Karachi. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz chaired the meeting which was also attended by Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister of Sindh, Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri.
Later, the Prime Minister told media that on the request of the Chief Minister Sindh a consultative meeting was held here at the Governor House regarding the Bundal Island. Shaukat Aziz pointed out that the very purpose of this consultative meeting was to resolve the legal interpretation of issues between Sindh Government and the Port Qasim Authority. He said that it has been decided that the legal experts from both the sides would consult and arrive at a strategy which would be implemented. The Prime Minister made it very clear that there would not be any injustice with the province of Sindh or any organization and all would get their due rights.
He said that it has also been decided that the company which would be investing in this projects would be assisted fully because billions of dollars would be invested in the Bundal Island project and thousands of job opportunities would be created.
Shaukat Aziz said that the economy of the country as well as the province and Karachi city would benefit from this. He stated that there has been a specific directive that there should not be any hindrance in the fishing rights and access of the fishermen of the area. The Prime Minister pointed out that when a decision was made regarding this project, care was taken that mangroves and other marine life should not be affected. He said that through consultation an atmosphere was being created which is conducive for investment in the country, economic development and that this would be a very good step for the betterment of the people of the country.
Shaukat Aziz said that the ground breaking regarding the construction of this project would be held soon. He stated that the Government of Sindh, Port Qasim Authority and other organizations would see that the investor is assisted so that the project could be completed at the earliest thus increasing economic activity and development in this region.
To a question, the Prime Minister said that the consultative committee would meet after Eid-ul-Azha. The committee has been asked to resolve the issue at the earliest so that there was no hindrance in the project, he added.
Shaukat Aziz said that we have informed the investors also that there would be no hindrance and that efforts would always be made for creating a conducive atmosphere for them.
He said that the investment results in the economic development and the people of the area also benefit from it. The Prime Minister said that the Sindh province would also benefit from this project.
He made it clear that the decision regarding the project was made in the interest of the people living there. Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Minister for Port and Shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghauri were also present on the occasion.