Bundal Island


Bundal Island is a small island located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Bundal, pronounced Bhandar by local fishermen, is a twin island of Buddo and lies to its West. On Bundal Island the tomb of Muslim sufi Yusuf Shah is located. The annual urs of 'Yusuf Shah' attract thousands of coastal people to the island. The island looked like a city during the urs. Churma and Buddo Islands are also located near Bundal Island. There is a dispute between the provincial government of Sindh and Karachi Port Trust on the ownership rights of 12,000 acres of land in these Islands. Bahria Town signed a joint venture with the companies of Thomas Kramer to develop Bodha Island City on Bundal and Buddo Islands with a cost of $20 Billion. Covering 12,000 acres of land, this project will be developed in a span of 5–10 years but the residential communities will start being handed over to people in 2016. The global attractions of the project comprise world’s tallest building, world’s largest shopping mall, sports city, educational & medical city, international city and a media city – all having the most modern facilities and amenities and the most advanced infrastructure.

Controversy

Many local NGOs, political parties and even Sindh Government have raised their concerns over the environment damage and the adverse effect on the economy this could have. Furthermore, there is unease at a foreign company being sold the island.

Development of Bundal Island

On March 11, 2013 Pakistan Business tycoon Malik Riaz signed an agreement with an American investor Thomas Kramer to build Bodha Island City in Bundal Island which is located along the coast of Karachi. Also planned for Bundal Island is the world's tallest building. This project will provide employment to an estimated 2.5 million people, as well as provide housing to potentially millions of people.