A high-level inquiry commission will probe the reasons that led to the seafood ban by the European Union (EU), said Abdul Waseem, Member National Assembly (MNA). Addressing a seminar, organised by the Fisherman Co-operative Society (FCS) on Saturday at Karachi Fish Harbour (KFH).
He said that ban on the seafood will create more difficulties particularly for poor fishermen. On the occasion Haji Shafi Jamote, director FSC, Haji Muhammad Younus, Saleem Dedag, Ikhlaq Hussain Abdi MNA, Mama Arsala Khan, president Sindh trawlers association and Babu Muhammad Ismail, president mole holders association also addressed.
" We will not blame anyone before the investigation, but I want to make it clear that person or body responsible will not be spared," he added. He said that the seafood ban issue would be taken up in the National Assembly to constitute an inquiry commission to ascertain facts. A high-level investigation committee will probe the whole issue.
Director FCS Ahmed Zameer Advocate said that after the EU team's visit to Pakistan, the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) had informed us that every thing is ok and the EU team was satisfied with the arrangements made at KFH. However, "later, we were informed by different sources that Pakistani seafood export has been banned by the 27-nation block" he said.
The fisheries authorities received a written decision on the ban of seafood export by EU on March 12 by de-listing all 11 processing plants he said and added that it will further let the fishermen down. He flayed the responsible authorities, and called them shameless as their irresponsibility and inefficiency led to seafood ban.
He demanded of the federal government to contact the EU commission and ensure them that all-processing plant will apply the specified EU standers. Strict action must be taken against the culprits, he urged.
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