Bundal Island
Native name: جزیرہ بھنڈار Nickname: Sindhi: ڀنڍار ٻيٽ | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Arabian Sea |
| Coordinates | 24°43′30″N 67°7′36″E / 24.72500°N 67.12667°E |
| Archipelago | Indus Delta |
| Area | 24.3 km2 (9.4 sq mi)[1] |
| Highest elevation | 6 m (20 ft)[1] |
| Administration | |
| Province | Sindh |
| Division | Karachi |
| District | Malir |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Bundal Island (Urdu: جزیرہ بھنڈار; Sindhi: ڀنڍار ٻيٽ), also known as Bundle Island or Bhandar Island, is an uninhabited island situated southeast of Karachi's peninsular area known as Defence, along the Arabian Sea coastline. Spanning approximately 24km², it is part of the Indus River Delta.
The island is home to the shrine of Sufi saint Yousuf Shah,[2] whose annual urs at his tomb attracts thousands of coastal people to the island.[2] Khiprianwala and Buddo are neighbouring islands.
There is a dispute between the provincial government of Sindh and Port Qasim Authority on the ownership rights of 12,000 acres (49 km2) of land in these Islands.[2][3][4]
Development of Bundal Island
Bundal Island was part of a reportedly $50 billion city development initiative under the Pakistan Islands Development Authority.[5] The short-lived authority was formed on September 2, 2020 and dissolved on January 3, 2021, after the presidential ordinance that established it failed to pass through the parliament.[6][7] The federal government's move was strongly criticized for its impact on natural ecosystems and complete lack of consultation with the provincial government.[8]
In 2013, Bahria Town announced a joint venture with Thomas Kramer's companies to develop the ambitious Bodha Island City project on Bundal and Buddo Islands at an estimated cost of $20 billion. Spanning 12,000 acres, the project was planned for completion within 5–10 years, with residential communities expected to be handed over starting in 2016. The proposed global attractions included the world’s tallest building, the largest shopping mall, a sports city, educational and medical hubs, an international city, and a media city, all boasting state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge infrastructure.[9] The project was projected to create approximately 2.5 million jobs and provide housing for potentially millions of people.[10]
The proposed development of Bundal Island as an exclusive resort faces significant challenges, including costly infrastructure requirements for transportation, power, water, and waste management.[11] As of 2024, however, the project remains in the planning stage.
See also
References
- ^ a b Iqbal, Sara (2024). "Multiple Reanalysis Datasets Validation, Wind Resource Assessment and Technoeconomic Analysis of a Wind Farm for Offshore Island in the Exclusive Economic Zone". nust.edu.pk. Islamabad, Pakistan: National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). p. 43. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ a b c Ur Rehman, Zia (8 November 2020). "Sufi saint's Urs at Bundal island to end today". thenews.com.pk. The News International. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ Ali, Sheharyar (26 September 2020). "Dingi and Bhandar – the disputed (is)lands off Karachi's shore". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Island controversy". Dawn.com. Dawn. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Bundal Island will eclipse Dubai with $50 billion investment". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ by. "Islands development authority ordinance lapsed, centre tells SHC". Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "'Ordinance for islands development authority lapsed'". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan's Arabian Sea islands risk environmental disaster". DW, Asia.
- ^ "Pakistan's 1st Island City: Bahria Town signs $20b deal with US tycoon". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ "Malik Riaz inks multi-billion dollar property deal for Karachi". tribune.com.pk. The Express Tribune. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ^ Shabbar, Ahmad; Currim, Saboohi Ahmed (24 December 2020). "Bundal Island life". Dawn.com. Dawn. Retrieved 29 December 2024.