KARACHI: The top law officer of the federal government on Friday assured the Sindh High Court that no development work on the project of twin islands along Karachi’s coast would commence without collaboration and cooperation of the Sindh government.
Attorney General of Pakistan Barrister Khalid Jawed Khan informed a two-judge bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar that the Pakistan Islands Development Authority (PIDA) Ordinance was not the last word as necessary amendment may be made, if required, after due deliberation with the provincial government.
When a petition challenging the vires of the recently promulgated PIDA Ordinance came up for hearing on Friday, the bench was informed two more petitions were filed on the same issue. The bench issued notices to the top federal and provincial law officers on the new petitions.
The attorney general argued that in case of a dispute between the federation and province, the Supreme Court had jurisdiction to entertain the proceedings under Article 184 of the Constitution.
However, he maintained that the federal government was already engaged in discussion with the Sindh government to resolve the difference, if any, with regard to the promulgation of the impugned ordinance.
Barrister Khan assured the bench that the development work would not be started on the project without the cooperation of provincial authorities and all apprehensions of the Sindh government would be addressed.