PFF begins hunger strike against alleged illegal occupation of freshwater bodies

Feudal lords are snatching the livelihoods of the underprivileged fishing community, said activists of the Pakistan Fisherfolf Forum on Monday as they began a four-day hunger strike against the alleged illegal occupation of more than 600 freshwater bodies by influential feudals, including the fisheries minister.

A large number of fishermen – both women and men – gathered at the hunger strike camp outside the Karachi Press Club, chanting slogans against this illegal occupation of lakes and freshwater bodies.

PFF Chairman Muhammad Ali Shah said that the fishermen rights body had been carrying out tireless and peaceful protest against the occupation of 1,209 fresh water bodies of Sindh since the last decade. “As a result of PFF’s years-long struggle against this unlawful violation of human rights, Sindh Assembly amended Sindh Fisheries Act 1980 in 2011 declaring the occupation of freshwater bodies and lakes as illegal and called for an immediate end of contract system on all freshwater bodies and lakes in the province,” he said.

He added that unfortunately after the end of contract system in 2011, the current Sindh fisheries minister Muhammad Ali Malkan, feudal lords, land grabbers and others are once again controlling more than 600 lakes and freshwater bodies in Sindh unlawfully and are snatching away the bread and butter of the poor fishing community. “Due to this, fishermen and their families are being displaced from their indigenous fishing grounds,” Shah said.

The PFF chief further said that fishing is the only source of livelihood for these fishing communities and after the occupation of water bodies by these feudal lords, they have been reduced to deplorable living conditions. “Their right to livelihoods is utterly denied,” he complained.

Shah demanded that the illegal alleged occupation by the fisheries minister and other land grabbers on Babli Lake in Sujawal district be immediately ended so that the indigenous fishermen can earn their living lawfully and freely.

He also demanded that Malkani be immediately removed from his seat as a minister and be arrested along with Yameen Habib for kidnapping and torturing the leaders of fisherfolk community. Shah also threatened that if their demands are not met, then thousands of fishermen from across the province will gather outside the CM House and will protest until the demands are met.