Fisherfolk rally against fossil fuels

Protest links local livelihood struggles to global calls for climate justice

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum staged a protest in Ibrahim Hyderi on Sunday to highlight environmental concerns and demand a shift away from fossil fuels, in connection with the ongoing global conference in Santa Marta, Colombia.

A large number of fishermen participated in the demonstration, calling for climate justice and a fair energy transition. Addressing the gathering, the forum's Senior Vice Chairperson Fatima Majeed said thousands of people across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and the Philippines had joined coordinated protests as part of a global movement.

She added that demonstrations were also held across Africa, Latin America, North America and Europe, aligning with the first international conference focused on phasing out fossil fuels, jointly hosted by the governments of Colombia and the Netherlands.

Fatima Majeed said the ongoing global energy crisis has exposed the vulnerabilities of fossil fuel dependence, particularly in Asia. "There can be no path to global peace, stability or climate justice as long as our energy systems remain tied to volatile fossil fuel supply chains," she said.

Highlighting regional concerns, she noted that in 2025, around 90 per cent of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and 80 per cent of oil supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz - a critical chokepoint for Asian markets - underscoring the risks of over-reliance on imported fuels.

She further said that rising fuel costs have severely impacted Pakistani fishermen, many of whom struggle to afford diesel for their boats. However, she described the Santa Marta conference as an opportunity to promote international cooperation aimed at transitioning from import-dependent energy systems to community-owned renewable alternatives.

The forum's Information Secretary Ayub Shan said Pakistan had recently declared a national energy emergency, warning that rising fuel prices disproportionately affect ordinary citizens by increasing the cost of essential goods and shrinking household purchasing power.

"When fuel prices rise, it is the common people who suffers most - family budgets tighten, and the burden of managing households falls heavily on women," he said, adding that fossil fuels are not just an environmental issue but a matter of public welfare and survival.

President of Fisherfolk Forum Karachi, Majid Motani, said that alongside the official conference, a parallel "People's Summit" is being held, bringing together more than 900 organisations and networks. The summit provides civil society with an independent platform to amplify demands and build collective pressure.

He noted that a formal dialogue titled the "Assembly of the Peoples" would bring together state delegates and civil society representatives, an initiative supported by the Colombian government to ensure grassroots voices influence official outcomes.