Warning system for maritime border limits on cards

CM's advisor says fishermen will get alert to avoid entering Indian waters

KARACHI:

The Sindh government is working on a system to warn fishermen if the cross maritime border in the tricky Sir Creek area - a disputed territory between Pakistan and India ­ where fishermen of both the countries get arrested for inadvertently crossing the border.

CM's Advisor for Livestock Fisheries and Human Settlements Syed Najmi Alam said this during a briefing at the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority. He was at the fish harbour to review the progress on the instructions regarding cleanliness and security issued during the past visit.

Najmi said work on the registration programme of all fishermen of Sindh has been started on an emergency basis, so that they could get compensation in case of any fatality.

While reviewing the cleanliness at Karachi Fish Harbour, Najmi checked the packing facilities of fish and seafood like shrimps, prawns lobsters and squids at the fish market run by private sector exporters.

He further said that we are making every possible effort to lift the ban imposed by the European Union on the fishery business and to support the national economy by developing the fishing industry.

Najmi said during the briefing that he has demanded the federal government to improve the Korangi Fish Harbour to reduce the pressure of fishing boats on Karachi Fish Harbour.

In this regard, a request has also been made to the Chief Minister of Sindh and after a meeting with the Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Qaiser Sheikh in the next two days, the paperwork including the request has also been prepared.

He said that the work on the registration programme of all fishermen of Sindh has been started on an emergency basis, while arrangements are also being made to start a timely notification system for fishermen to cross the border during hunting.

Najmi said that along with the inclusion of fishermen in the labour card programme of the Sindh government, as well as the financial support of the Benazir Income Support Programme, they will also benefit from various facilities provided by the government in different essential aspects of life.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2024.