KARACHI, May 13: On the call given by Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, the fishermen all over the province observed token hunger strike in front of fisheries department office in every district against fishing contract system on Friday. The token hunger strikes would continue till May 15 and a sit-in would be staged in front of fisheries department office in Hyderabad on May 16 when the first auction to give contracts of inland fisheries would be held. The PFF has already announced to observe black day through out Sindh on the day of auction.

According to information received by central office of PFF, the token hunger strike was observed by local PFF leaders including Gulab Shah and Shafi Marghar in front of Thatta office of fisheries department at Makli from 10am to 5pm. About 50 men, women and children took part in the token hunger strike.

Similarly, about 50 fisherfolk observed token hunger strike in front of fisheries office in Badin. Besides men, women and children, the Badin PFF leaders Mithan Mallah, Nabi Bux Mallah and Nawaz Khatti took part in the hunger strike.

The fisherfolk of Manchhar Lake and other parts staged token hunger strike in front of fisheries department office in Dadu. The protestors raised slogans against fisheries department and demanded the government to withdraw the schedule for awarding contract of fishing rights.

In Larkana, about 30 fishermen led by Manzoor Mirani observed hunger strike. Many social organizations visited the hunger strike camps and expressed solidarity with the struggle of PFF.

The token hunger strikes were also held in Sakrand, Sanghar, Khairpur, Jamshoro and other parts of the province, where local leaders of political parties and social organizations visited the camps.

PFF Chairman Muhammad Ali Shah has appreciated the struggle of fishermen and appealed to the like-minded and friendly organizations to join hands with the PFF in its struggle against imposition of contract system on inland fisheries. —PPI