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Karachi Lawyers Rally for Karoonjhar Protection, Demand Withdrawal of Govt Appeal
Lawyers in Karachi march for the protection of Karoonjhar Mountain, demanding the Sindh govt withdraw its appeal and declare the site national heritage.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-26
Karachi Lawyers Rally for Karoonjhar Protection, Demand Withdrawal of Govt Appeal

Lawyers in Karachi held a protest march on Wednesday, urging the Sindh government to take “immediate and concrete” steps for the protection of the Karoonjhar Mountain range in Tharparkar. They also demanded the withdrawal of the provincial government’s appeal challenging a Sindh High Court (SHC) judgement that called for the safeguarding of the historic hills.

The appeal, initially filed in the Supreme Court, has now been forwarded to the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) under the 27th Amendment.

Protest Barred From Reaching CM House

The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), which organised the demonstration, planned a march from the SHC to the Chief Minister House. However, authorities placed containers to block access routes, preventing protesters from reaching the building. The move also disrupted traffic flow, forcing commuters to take alternative routes as advised by police.

Heavy police deployment was seen in the area as the lawyers gathered at PIDC Chowk, where SHCBA President Barrister Sarfaraz Metlo addressed participants.

SHCBA Calls Out Govt’s “Dual Policy”

Barrister Metlo accused the Sindh government of following a “dual policy” by allegedly supporting those seeking to lease the mountain range while also claiming to back conservation efforts.

“Karoonjhar belongs to Sindh,” he said, demanding that the provincial government withdraw both its appeal and any previous proposals to permit excavation projects initiated by the former caretaker government. He warned that if the demands were not met within 15 days, lawyers would launch another protest.

Following negotiations with Sindh Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar at the CM House, the SHCBA ended its protest. Metlo later told reporters that the minister had assured the delegation that the government would withdraw its appeal and declare the Karoonjhar Mountain range a national heritage site. He also claimed that the government had ended a 21,000-acre lease contract involving the mountain area.

Government Statement

A statement from the CM Office confirmed that the lawyers’ delegation had submitted a memorandum warning about “existing and potential dangers” to the mountain range. It described Karoonjhar as a natural, cultural and historical asset whose loss would be irreparable.

Law Minister Lanjar assured the lawyers that the PPP-led government was committed to safeguarding the environmental, historical and cultural heritage of Sindh. He added that the recommendations of the legal community would be given serious consideration.

KBA Joins; Demands Neutral Minister

Later in the day, members of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) arrived at PIDC Chowk. The increased turnout prompted a heightened police presence. KBA President Amir Warraich rejected negotiations with the law minister, demanding that a neutral senior minister represent the government instead.

Warraich reiterated opposition to the FCC and the 26th and 27th Amendments, and said lawyers would continue protesting “at every level” until Karoonjhar was protected. He added that the government had been given 15 days to withdraw its appeal.

A KBA delegation later held talks with Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, who promised to present their demands to the Sindh chief minister.

Karoonjhar: A Mountain of Cultural and Economic Value

Rising 305 metres and stretching 19 kilometres, the Karoonjhar Mountain range is rich in minerals and medicinal plants, playing an important economic role for local communities. Public anger grew after companies were granted excavation leases by the provincial mines department—one of the issues challenged in the 2023 SHC judgement.

CM Murad Ali Shah Responds

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, when asked by reporters, criticised the protest, saying, “Lawyers do not like the Constitutional Court, but the job of lawyers is to give arguments.” He said development efforts in Sindh, including public-private partnership projects like Thar Coal, were essential and that “no obstacle will be allowed” in their path.

Shah added that protests disrupting public life were unjustified and that the 27th Amendment had resolved the issue of establishing constitutional courts. He also confirmed ongoing discussions on the Local Government Act and emphasised that Sindh would continue raising its NFC concerns with the prime minister.

Earlier at a separate event, the CM highlighted Karachi’s growing role as the “diplomatic capital” of Pakistan and stressed the need to create local opportunities so that talented youth are not forced to seek careers abroad.
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