May 22, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1429

KARACHI, May 21: A group of fishermen representing their respective community settlements in different parts of the city started a three-day token hunger strike in front of the Karachi Press Club in protest against the DHA administration’s alleged moves to deprive them of their livelihood.

The protest has been organised by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, which alleges that the fishermen operating in the DHA areas have been restrained from continuing with their fishing activities and anchoring their boats at their makeshift jetty located in the Gizri Creek.

Coming from Ibrahim Hyderi, Rehri Goth, Hawkesbay, Deh Allah Bano and Keamari, a big group of fishermen and their womenfolk started the strike and raised slogans against the DHA administration.

Speaking at the protest camp, PFF chairman Mohammad Ali Shah said: “The military-led DHA had earlier evicted thousands of fishermen from their ancestral villages and it is now forcing them to abandon their jetty,” he said.

He urged the government to save around 2,000 fishermen from losing their livelihood and facing starvation.