December 15, 2008	Monday	Zilhaj 16, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 14: A grand assembly of the fishermen community held here on Saturday demanded immediate holding of election for the 15-member board of directors of the Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) as required under the society’s by-laws.

Held in Khadda (Lyari), one of the oldest settlements of the fishermen community, the assembly was attended by many leaders of the community and former FCS directors, including Haji Shafi Mohammad Jamote (Ibrahim Hyderi), Haji Mohammad Yunis (Yunisabad-Hawkesbay), Habibullah Niazi (Daryabad), Wadera Habibullah Khan (Gadani) and Usman Lalwani.

Speaking at the gathering, the leaders criticised the government for suspending the FCS board without any justification and handing over the society’s affairs to handpicked administrators.

They deplored that their repeated calls for the holding of a general body meeting of the society were being ignored by the Sindh government and other authorities concerned.

They urged the former directors, representing the fishermen community, to come forward and help resolve the issue of the board’s election.

The speakers pointed out that the problems being faced by fishermen were multiplying with each passing day because of the absence of the board, which was supposed to resolve them.

The assembly also demanded implementation of the amendment to the FCS by-laws passed by the previous general body meeting.

The amendment called for increasing the number of elected directors of the board.

Representatives of the fishermen organisations representing the inhabitants of Shamspir, Kaka Village, Salehabad, Sonmiani, Lyari and other areas attended the grand assembly.