A delegation of fishermen calls on Sirajul Haq

Lahore: A 25-member delegation of the fishermen headed by Chairman, Mallah Ittehad Tehrik, Sindh, Muhammad Adam Gandro, called on the Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Sirajul Haq, and apprised him of the problems of their community.

Adam Gandro told the JI chef that influential people had taken over the lakes, canals, and other water reservoirs that were the source of their earnings and these influential people allowed only the men of their liking to fish in these areas and also charged heavy levy and extortion from them.

He said their community had been living in these areas for centuries, but were still without any shelter and lived in tents as no government had every made any plan to provide them houses. He said their community had a right over the state  lands around these water reservoirs. However, the big wigs had taken control of these lands as well. He requested that an appeal be made to the federal and the provincial governments to allot this state land to the fishermen. He also stressed that effective measures should be taken to save all lakes in the area including the Kainjher Lake and the Manchar lake, besides he natural water courses and the lakes of drinking water. He further demanded provision of basic facilities including schools, dispensaries and electricity to their huts.

He said the fishermen were earning billions in foreign exchange through exports of fish but the governments had never given any attention to their welfare.

The JI chief assured the delegation that he would convey their demands to the concerned authorities. JI deputy chief Asadulah Bhutto and JI Secretary General, Liaqat Baloch, were also present on the occasion.