Staff Reporter:
QUETTA: Director-General Fisheries Balochistan, Saifullah Khetran on Monday said the department seized four illegal fishing trawlers in Pasni tehsil of Gwadar. The Fisheries department has launched a crackdown against the elements involved in illegal fishing and trawling in Gwadar and adjoining areas.
“Cases have been registered against the accused”, Mr. Khetran informed. He said the department has also arrested the accused operating the illegal fishing trawlers in Gwadar. Action against illegal trawling and fishing has been one of the main demands of the Gwadar Haq Terik.
Masses and fishermen should cooperate with the department: Khetran Says
The public and the fishermen should also cooperate with the fisheries department so that strict actions are taken against the trawler mafia. The fisheries department is always ready against illegal trawlers, the DG of Fisheries vowed. The steps taken by the provincial government are commendable and decisions have been taken in favor of the fishermen. The fish which had disappeared in the marine life has started to appear again because of the steps taken by the fisheries department, he asserted.
Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman critical of Balochistan government
Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman, the Chief of the Gwadar Rights Movement (GRM) and other activists have been protesting against the illegal fishing and trawling in the port city of Gwadar. Police have arrested the Maulana and a number of activists of the GRM for what police claim caused damages to public and private properties in Gwadar and Pasni. The charges were vehemently denied by the GRM leaders including Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman.
Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo had passed strict orders to the Fisheries department to launch a crackdown against the elements involved in illegal fishing and trawling. “Provincial government has determined to end the illegal fishing in Gwadar”, the CM stated in a statement.
Mr. Bizenjo said all-out efforts were being made to address the grievances of the masses and fishermen of Gwadar on a priority basis.
