Destructive rejection
A Pakistani court recently rejected a petition filed against a license awarded to Britain's Premier Oil for exploring gas in Kirthar National Park, the country's largest national park. "It is a bit of a blow, but not unexpected. We intend to appeal in the Supreme Court,' said Farhan Anwar of Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment, a Karachi-based non-governmental organisation. According to him, the court has dismissed the petition because it was beyond its jurisdiction. The Sindh provincial government in July 2001, had granted permission to Premier Oil for conducting exploratory seismic surveys in Kirthar.