KARACHI: Lawyers staged a large protest march in Karachi on Wednesday, demanding urgent measures for the protection and preservation of the Karoonjhar Hills range in Tharparkar and calling for the Sindh government to withdraw its appeal against a Sindh High Court (SHC) judgement safeguarding the site.
The protest was organised by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA), which has been opposing the provincial government’s decision to challenge a 2023 SHC ruling that halted excavation and leasing activity in the Karoonjhar area. The appeal, originally filed before the Supreme Court, has now been transferred to the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) established under the 27th Amendment.
March Blocked, Protesters Addressed at PIDC
Lawyers planned to march from the SHC to the Chief Minister House, but roads leading to the building were blocked by containers, causing disruption to traffic and forcing commuters to use alternate routes. Police were deployed across the high-security zone.
Protesters instead gathered at PIDC Chowk, where SHCBA President Barrister Sarfaraz Metlo addressed the crowd. He accused the Sindh government of pursuing a “dual policy” — simultaneously siding with those attempting to lease the mountain range and those opposing such moves. He demanded the withdrawal of the appeal and criticised the previous caretaker government’s proposal for granite excavation at Karoonjhar.
Law Minister Lanjar, according to a memorandum presented by the lawyers, assured their delegation that the PPP was determined to protect Sindh’s natural, cultural and historical heritage.https://t.co/YLzc4w4pMY
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 26, 2025
Barrister Metlo warned that if the appeal was not withdrawn, lawyers would hold another protest in 15 days.
Govt Assures Withdrawal of Appeal
Later, a delegation of SHCBA representatives met Sindh Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar at the CM House. Following the meeting, Metlo told reporters that the provincial government had assured the withdrawal of the appeal and expressed commitment to declaring the Karoonjhar range a national heritage site. He also claimed the government had cancelled a 21,000-acre lease in the area.
A statement issued by the CM Office confirmed that the delegation submitted a memorandum expressing concern about environmental and cultural threats to Karoonjhar. The law minister assured that the government considered the mountain range a historical, cultural and environmental asset and would take “necessary legal and administrative steps” for its protection.
Karachi Bar Association Joins In
Later in the day, lawyers from the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) also joined the protest. KBA President Amir Warraich rejected talks with the law minister, demanding engagement with a “neutral senior minister” and reiterating the demand for withdrawal of the government’s appeal.
Warraich also rejected the 26th and 27th Amendments and said lawyers did not accept the FCC as a judicial forum.
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After discussions with Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, the KBA said the provincial government had indicated willingness to withdraw the appeal within 15 days.
Sindh CM Responds
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, speaking at a separate event, reaffirmed that Karoonjhar was an environmental and cultural treasure and said the government would ensure its protection. However, he criticised the mode of protest, saying road closures and public inconvenience were unnecessary and that the government remained open to dialogue.
The Karoonjhar range, stretching 19 kilometres and rising 305 metres above sea level, has significant ecological, cultural and economic value, including mineral deposits and medicinal plants.
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