Islands issue: Sindh refuses to hold talks with federal govt until revocation of PIDA

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government on Monday refused to hold talks with the federal government over Islands ownership dispute, demanding revocation of Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) ordinance 2020.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his meeting with Governor Sindh Imran Ismail last week, directed him to hold talks with the provincial government over the matter after reservations.

However, today the provincial government categorically denied to hold talks until revocation of the ordinance. “No talks will be held with the federal government until revoking of the ordinance,” said Sindh government.

Furthermore, it said, “federal government deceived the provincial government of Sindh by issuing an ordinance over the ownership of the Bundal and Buddo Islands.”

Back in August, President Arif Alvi had promulgated the ordinance for establishing the Pakistan Islands Development Authority for the “development and management of islands in internal and territorial waters of Pakistan.”

However, the Sindh government on Tuesday withdrew its July 6, 2020 letter in which the Land Utilization Department had consented to the federal government to take custody of both islands.