BY CAM WALKER

A legal challenge against Shell and the military government of Pakistan began in a Karachi court on April 25 over plans to explore for gas in Kirthar National Park.

The Kirthar National Park was established in 1974 and is one of Pakistan's largest protected areas, stretching more than 3087 square kilometres. It is home to numerous threatened species and is protected under Pakistan's wildlife laws. Kirthar is classified by the World Conservation Union as a protected area and is also on the United Nations list of protected areas.

Nevertheless, Shell has formed a joint venture with Premier Oil to manage an exploration program in Pakistan. In March, the joint venture submitted an environmental impact statement to the authorities as a prelude to exploration in Kirthar.

Under the military regime, laws can be amended without reference to parliament. Earlier this year, governor of Pakistan's Sindh province Mohammed Mian Soomroa amended the wildlife laws to allow pipeline construction in Kirthar. Soomroa was director of Shell-Pakistan until he became governor. The oil minister in the federal military government, Usman Aminuddin, is a former director of a Shell subsidiary.

Local non-government organisations have turned to the Karachi courts in an attempt to halt the plan. They have been joined by Friends of the Earth International, which has submitted a 380-page dossier that includes a detailed synopsis of the appalling environmental and human rights abuses associated with Shell's operations in Nigeria.

[Cam Walker is a national liaison officer with Friends of the Earth Australia.]

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