KARACHI, Dec 4: The Fishermen Cooperative Society on Thursday admitted that it had made certain fresh appointments, but at the same time claimed that the initiative was taken keeping in view the European Union’s requirements.

In a statement issued here on Thursday, the FCS administration defended the fresh appointments and responded to the criticism by the Society’s Board of Directors by saying:

“Keeping in view the requirements of the European Union to keep the harbour clean and hygienic, checking leakage and increasing the income of the harbour, appointments of staff on temporarily basis were made.”

The statement pointed out that the biggest number of fresh employees were harbour cleaners and marketing officers and their recruitment was aimed at meeting the section’s requirements and to ensure efficiency.

It criticized the elements who were bent upon obstructing development activity at the harbour and create problems for the facility.

The statement, however, did not mention the exact number of fresh appointments and lavish expenditure made by the administration on account of two VIP functions. It even did not clarify the position of the newly-appointed employees of the Society.