Fisherfolk accuse minister of occupying lakes

HYDERABAD: Decrying alleged illegal occupation of freshwater lakes, the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) held a protest rally in Sanghar district on Saturday. The protesters accused Livestock and Fisheries Minister Muhammad Ali Malkani of involvement in the illegal occupation of lakes in the province.

The fishing community also protested against denial of the right to fishermen to fish in the lakes while contractors were allowed to control whole lakes. "Only the fishermen are supposed to have the right to fish in these waters. But their right has been usurped by some influential contractors and politicians," alleged PFF Chairperson Muhammad Ali Shah, while talking to the media.



Shah named several lakes where fishermen had been barred from catching fish. He warned that if connivance of the authorities with the contractors continued, the fishing community from all across Sindh will gather in Karachi for a sit-in protest outside Bilawal House.