Local fishermen of tiny Baba and Bhit islands want a boost in the security patrolling by Pakistan Navy within the seaport navigational channel after the third terror attack on the navy bus in the last three days. "All sensitive installations of Pakistan Navy are located within the seaport channel near the small islets, which need a strong shield of security," said President of Bona Fide Fishermen and Boat Owners Welfare Association, Asif Bhatti on Thursday.
He said the government should register all boats so that their movements within the sea channel could be carefully watched and threats of any sabotaging attacks could also be averted. He said the local fishermen of the islands are fearful of insecurity from the unregistered boats, which anyone could use for terror or destruction purposes near the islets. "Destruction could be averted if the process of registration of boats is started now," Bhatti suggested.
He said Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had also ignored their registration and urged the trust's chairperson to play her role in this regard. About a recent meeting with Sindh Fisheries Minister, Zahid Bhurgari, he said, the fishermen urged the minister to carry out legislation in the provincial assembly for abrogating either the June or July ban for good.
He said local fishermen wanted a solution to the two months annual ban, which was against their financial interest and reducing their sources of livelihood, adding the government should do away with it like it had done in case of fresh water contract system abolition. He said the minister had assured the fishermen to reach a solution to end the ban problems on a permanent basis.
About the Fishermen Co-operative Society's fresh election, Bhatti said, he had also laid down the demand before the new administrator Saeed Khan Baloch with fresh membership of the society and change in the commission system. He said administrator had also assured him of streamlining all the issues of the society as he had just assumed the charge of affairs, replacing Jaffer Khwaja this month.