KARACHI: The local authorities have pinned hopes on a forthcoming visit of a delegation of the European Union this month to end the decade-long ban on Pakistan’s fish and seafood products, officials said.

“A delegation of the European Union is visiting the Karachi Fish Harbour this month and we hope that this may lead to end the ban because of some radical measures taken by the authorities,” said Hafiz Abdul Barr, chairman, Fishermen’s Cooperative Society [FCS], while speaking to reporters at his office.

He said the FCS was highly confident about lifting of that ban as certain requirements demanded by the European Union had been fulfilled accordingly.

Recently, officials shared figures that Pakistan’s fish and fish preparation exports went up by 20 per cent in quantity and 21.35pc in value during 2016-17 due to price increase in world markets and higher landing of the catch.

However, the marine fisheries department (MFD) feared following the suspension of seafood exports to the United States after an inspection visit, other countries might follow suit.

Apart from EU, Pakistan’s fish and seafood products are also banned in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Barr said the four auction halls located on the harbour had been modernised as per guidelines of the EU.

“We have spent Rs50 million to convert those halls on the modern lines,” he added.

He said Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took personal interest to establish the modern auction halls.

“The transformation of these halls as per conditions set by the EU has been completed between May and November this year.”

He said the FCS was committed to washing the stains away it had been infamously smeared with because of corruption and mismanagement in the recent past.

“No one was ready to join the FCS because of that notoriety, but we have resolved to make it an organisation committed to serving the fishing community.”

Cheap fish bazaar

Mr Barr said the FCS had planned to set up a bazaar on Sundays to offer cheap-priced quality fish to the citizens of Karachi.

The bazaar would be established at the Fish Harbour where citizens could purchase fresh high-quality fish, thus, a majority of population that normally could not afford to eat it could be able to purchase it.

Fishermen imprisoned in India

He said the FCS was paying Rs10,000 to every family of the 88 fishermen who were in the prisons of India.

“We will be helping these families in distress till those fishermen are released and reunited with their loved ones.”

He said Pakistan had shown greater compassion regarding the issue of the detained fishermen who had been caught while fishing in the Pakistan territorial waters.

However, he added, authorities across the border had not reciprocated with the same empathy.

“Recently, Pakistan released 68 Indian fishermen who were detained in our prisons, but India released just nine of the Pakistani fishermen who are imprisoned in their jails. This is highly disappointing.”

Published in Dawn, November 11th, 2017