GWADAR: Extraordinarily strong sea waves destroyed 30 fishing vessels and damaged 70 others along the coast of Gwadar on Thursday, the windiest day of this winter in the region.

This led to local fishermen community observing protest and complaining that the losses they had suffered were because of the slow pace of construction of water breakers and channels in the local expressway project. As a result, they deplored, many fishermen of Gwadar had lost everything they had.

While criticising the authorities, the leader of fishermen community in Gwadar Khudadad Wajo said none had helped the fishermen in saving their boats from violent sea waves. Instead, he added, fishermen on their own tried to save their vessels, but it was too late.

“We hold responsible the federal and the provincial governments and the institutions working under them for not completing water breakers and channels in time,” said Khuda­dad. “Due to this reason, Gwadar’s fishermen have lost their vessels and several among them have become jobless,” he said and requested the higher authorities to compensate them within a week.

Local fishermen community also protested outside the office of the Gwadar Development Authority and vowed to continue the protest until their demands were met.

MPA Meer Hammal Kalmati, civil society members and the local leadership of the Balochistan National Party-Mengal, and the National Party expressed solidarity with the fishermen community of Gwadar.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2020