May 24, 2002	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 11,1423

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HUB, May 23: The fishermen of Lasbela on Thursday rejected mediation by the provincial advocate-general in their dispute with Balochistan Coastal Development Authority over the fees for catch imposed by the BCDA.

Speaking at a press conference at Dam, Lala Aslam Qambrani, Sadiq Lasi and other leaders of fishermen alleged that Balochistan AG Ashraf Ali Tanoli could not remain neutral because his younger brother was the advocate for the authority in the case pertaining to the issue and his uncle had been granted the contract of the jetty being set up at Gadani.

They expressed apprehension that the AG would support the BCDA in the mediation. “The AG, during the meeting held on May 18 between the fishermen and the BCDA for mediation, remained silent while BCDA Chairman Chaudry Arshad used harsh language and threatened the fishermen of dire consequences if they did not withdraw their case,” they alleged.

The local fishermen filed a petition in Balochistan High Court a few months ago against the high charges fixed by the BCDA for catch saying that they were unable to pay the levy.