EU not buying Pakistan’s fish for last 3 years, Senate told

Minister tells panel capacity building of fishermen imperative for sustainable fishery

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) has not purchased fish from Pakistan for the last three years, a Senate panel was informed.

“The EU insists on visiting Karachi’s fishery whose auction hall is not in proper condition at the moment. An inspection right now can even result in complete ban on Pakistan’s fish products,” Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Haider Zaidi told the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, chaired by Senator Nuzhat Sadiq on Monday.

The minister said capacity building of fishermen with a special focus on sustainable fishery in the Arabian Sea was imperative for uplifting of the fisheries sector in Pakistan.

“This initiative will not only raise the living standard of coastal inhabitants but will also contribute a huge amount to the national exchequer,” he said during the briefing.

The minister said fishery, which was considered a source of livelihood for locals of the coastal areas was suffering due to lack of coordination between provincial and federal authorities.

He asked the senators to suggest ideas for achieving the objectives.

Senator Usman Khan Kakar raised the issue of non-payment of salaries to Port Qasim Authority (PQA) dockworkers.

The committee was informed that the workers employed by the respective cargo handling companies (CHCs) were never registered by the PQA.

“The dispute of salary/compensation is purely between a Chinese company and the employees at the requisite marginal wharf 3&4 at Port Qasim Authority.

“The matter is also sub judice as the labour union has filed a case against its employers at the Labour Court Karachi and the court has granted stay to the labour union,” the minister said.