April 25, 2008	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 18, 1429

KARACHI, April 24: The Defence Housing Authority has rejected the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum’s claim about dismantling of a jetty in Gizri by the DHA, and clarified that it never had a jetty for fishermen on its waterfront, including Gizri Creek.

A statement issued here on Thursday said that the DHA neither had any agreement regarding fishing rights given to fishermen in the DHA area nor had it indulged in any deal involving any jetty, since both these aspects were outside its jurisdiction.

“The DHA waterfront projects do not deny public access to the beaches,” it said.

The statement also rejected the PFF allegations about the DHA Vigilance having committed atrocities against fishermen or damaging/burning their boats.

“The reports appearing in a section of the press in this regard are totally baseless and misleading,” it added.—APP