KARACHI: The fish vessels that were not given port clearance by the Sea customs Department on Jan 1 because they had not equipped themselves with life jackets, fire extinguishers and headlights lay idle on Jan 8, 1968 at the Karachi Harbour for the eighth consecutive day. No boat was put out to the sea and there was no marine fish at the harbour for auction. A handful of fishermen, however, turned up with sweet water fish auctioned in the morning.

But things were getting complicated. The fishermen community expressed its concern over the sudden rise in the prices of safety appliances. The fishermen, boat owners, storage plant owners and fish exporters complained that the price of life jackets had increased by about 150 per cent. According to them, a life jacket which was sold for Rs35 a week before was now being sold for Rs90. They also pointed out that life jackets, fire extinguishers and navigational lights required to be fitted in fishing vessels were also not adequately available. The fishermen, it was urged, should be given import licences to enable them to buy the necessary equipment as per their choice.

What further compounded the issue was that fish vendors had virtually disappeared from the city. It became a huge problem for housewives to buy fish. Over 70 per cent fish for domestic consumption was supplied by the vendors who visited almost every locality in the city on a daily basis. As a result of the stoppage of sea-water fish supplies, the vendors found themselves without work — they had no idea how to earn their livelihood now.

The standoff stretched to the 13th day. Negotiations between the fishermen and the authorities were still going on. The former were requesting an extension of time by six months for installing safety equipment in the fishing vessels. But no result had thus far come out of the talks.

The whole saga should also be put into context of the fact that fish in our part of the world is consumed more in the winter season. On Jan 8, it was reported that the cold wave brought by winter showers a fortnight ago had retreated from Karachi giving way to the usual sea breeze. The minim temperature on Jan 7 moved further upwards to reach 50degrees F, though the maximum temperature remained almost stationary at 77degrees F. The relief from the shivering cold came largely from an increase in humidity in the air, which was 71 per cent.

From cool breeze to art: on Jan 12, an exhibition of an upcoming artist Niloufer Noorani opened at a local gallery. She mainly chose faces to portray her vision of life in its varied shades. The artworks displayed in the show also presented glimpses from Pakistan’s rural life. It established, in the eyes of critics, her visual language and understanding of portraiture.

Speaking of language, on Jan 13, an organisation called the West Pakistan Sabuj Sena opened Urdu and Bengali medium Quaid Primary School behind Jacob Lines. This was for the first time in West Pakistan that a private agency had started a school for children where education would be imparted in their mother tongues. Sad, the Bengali language is no more part of our diverse linguistic consciousness.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2018