Fully Empowered Authority Established to Control Islands in Territorial Waters
Newly Established Pakistan Island Development Authority Conferred with Massive Powers including Disposing of Land Vested in it
Pak Chronicle Report
Islamabad
Despite reservations of Government of Sindh, the Federal Government has established all powerful Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) which would be independent to control islands in territorial waters of the country.
This authority has been conferred with massive authority and it would be free of to dispose of land vested in it.
Revelations into this effect were made in Question Hour in the Senate on Thursday on a question of a lawmaker.
Responding to the question of a senator Bahramand Khan Tangi of Pakistan People Party, the Upper House of the Parliament was informed that the PIDA has been established for the development of barren islands in the territorial waters of the country to undertake residential/industrial/commercial/infrastructure project in these islands.
Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi had asked the question from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to state whether there is any proposal under consideration to establish the PIDA and if so then he had sought details in this connection.
Replying to this question the ministry maintained that the PIDA would contribute towards revival of fifty plus allied industries thereby generating large scale skilled employment opportunities.
These islands are facing erosion due to forces of nature, the reply of the ministry stated.
Moreover, according to it the PIDA Ordinance 2020 has been promulgated on August 31, 2020 by the President of Pakistan. The PIDA has been established under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs with the approval of the federal government decision dated on September 4, 2020.
Accordingly the ministry has issued the notification regarding establishment of PIDA.
Powers to dispose of land by PIDA: The PIDA has been empowered by the federal government to retain or lease, sell, exchange, rent or otherwise dispose of any land vested in it.
PIDA Fund Generation Details: There shall be created Authority Funds which shall be formed, administered and controlled by the authority. The fund shall consist of funds, loans or grants provided by the government, a provincial government, a local government or any donor agencies.
This fund would also include grants and loans negotiated and raised or otherwise obtained by the authority. Moreover, according the details provided to the House this fund would also consist of fee, charges, rentals, tolls, fines and other money received or collected by the authority.
PIDA Exempted from Taxes for 10 Years: The PIDA would enjoy exemption from payment of taxes on its income, profits and gains for the period of 10 years started from date of its establishment.
The Government of Sindh has been raising its voice against these measures which have been taken by the federal government.
According to the provincial government the focus of this ordinance is to take control of islands neighbouring Karachi. The Bundle Island is one of these islands where the federal government is supposedly launching projects and the provincial government believes that this move is tantamount to occupy the provincial resources.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan recently had directed Sindh Governor Imran Ismael to sort out the matters related to the Bundle Island project in consultations with the Sindh government.
Bundle Island, is located at the western end of the Sindh Coastal Zone bordering with Korangi, Phitti and Jhari creeks.
It is one of the biggest and highest of all the islands along the Sindh coast, with a length of about eight kilometres. The width of the island varies. It is about four kilometer wide in the north and one kilometer in the south.
On the other hand the federal government has been maintaining that Bundal Island will remain part of Sindh. According to it, it is not a housing scheme, rather a plan to construct a new city just like Islamabad.
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