KARACHI, May 10: The coastal towns of Sindh, including Karachi, will be developed as due attention would be paid on the uplift work as well as welfare of fishermen.

This was stated by the provincial Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Sardar Manzoor Ali Khan Panhwar, while addressing two separate gatherings of fishermen in Ibrahim Hyderi and Rehri here on Friday.

The minister said that a new development-oriented policy for fisheries sector was being prepared and would be announced shortly after taking all key stakeholders into confidence.

He urged representatives of the Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS) and Pakistan Fisher Folk Forum to submit their recommendations and suggestions in this regard so that a comprehensive and feasible policy could be framed in the best interest of the sector.

The government, he said, was keenly interested in the development of fisheries sector and welfare of fishermen community, and added that the new policy would focus on new schools and hospitals besides ensuring water, electricity and road construction.

Expressing his concern over multiple problems at fishermen’s villages and lack of necessary facilities, the minister said he would personally approach the president and prime minister for launching development schemes in coastal villages.

He pointed out that the president and prime minister had already issued directives to the elected representatives, including MNAs and MPAs, to work together for the uplift of common man at the grassroots level.

FINE NETS: Sardar Panhwar said that the legislation for the implementation of ban on use of destructive nets was under way and it would be enforced at all costs. He said that those found violating the ban would be sentenced up to three years and fined up to Rs100,000.