A large number of fisherfolk from different coastal areas of Karachi gathered at the Karachi Fish Harbour on Tuesday to protest against the government’s failure in arresting the alleged accused involved in the murder of coastal community leaders, Abdul Ghani and Haji Abu Bakr. Carrying banners and placards, the protesting fisherfolk chanted slogans against the government, demanding immediate arrest of main suspects, putting a stop to mangroves cutting, saving natural resources and ensuring justice to local fishing communities.
Boat crews also joined the rally to express solidarity with the victim’s families while boat owners anchored their vessels at the jetty in protest and hoisted black flags. Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) Chairperson Mohammed Ali Shah and other members including Saeed Baloch, Tahira Ali, Majeed Motani, Yousuf Kadani led the protest rally, which also staged a sit-in in front of the Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) office.
The protesters were of the view that the alleged accused were criminals, who instead of working for the community have become murderers as these influential people want to eradicate the poor from coastal areas and have spread panic among the communities defending the natural resources. The fisherfolk also warned the FCS officials not to select the alleged accused as the directors as they were criminals.
Addressing at the protest rally, the PFF chairperson said that government officials have breached their promise of arresting the suspects involved in the murder of PFF leaders within three days.
“They [officials] do not even have the power to transfer the Mauripur police inspector, who provided shelter and safe escape to the criminals after the incident,” he added. “The 11-member fact-finding team comprising civil society representatives, human rights activists and trade unionists in their report have endorsed the PFF’s stand and demanded the arrest of the killers of PFF leaders,” said Shah, adding that the government through its reluctance in acting against criminals has proved how it has put the poor people at the mercy of criminals.
Speaking on the occasion, PFF General Secretary Baloch said the leaders will not leave the community people alone at this juncture when they have launched an effective campaign against mangrove deforestation.“In fact the PPP-led government is providing shelter to criminals like Haji Younus and his son Zulfiqar, who are nominated in the FIR [of the murder case],” he said. Appealing to human rights activists to raise their voice against the land mafia involved in reclamation of precious coastal lands for commercial purposes, Baloch added that the PFF will continue to support the fishing community in protecting natural mangrove forests.
Addressing the protesters, PFF’s Tahira Ali said it was not only the issue of fishermen and coastal communities to safeguard mangroves forests, but also the citizens of Karachi, who should realise that they are being made vulnerable to disasters like cyclones and tsunamis through cutting of mangroves, which act as natural shields to them. “The sacrifice rendered by PFF leaders Abdul Ghani and Haji Abu Bakar will not go in vain.
We are on the same mission to protect mangroves and ready to die for this great cause,” said Ali, adding that the saner elements of this city are expected to come forward to protect their future generations through protecting mangroves and join the struggle launched by the PFF and its supporting organisations. Majeed Motani said the PFF is mobilising the communities living at marine and inland water bodies to face this challenge together. “We have observed how the parliamentarians, voted into position by the fisherfolk communities, are now betraying us. They are providing protection to criminals instead of supporting the poor people,” alleged Motani.
