QUETTA: Law enforcement agencies have recovered an officer of the Balochistan fisheries department from Karachi who was abducted 10 days ago, according to officials.

Fisheries Inspector Abdul Mutlib Zamrani was kidnapped by unknown people allegedly involved in illegal trawling in Balochistan waters.

Fisheries department officials said Mr Zamrani was patrolling Balochistan’s waters near Gwadar to check illegal trawling.

The alleged abductors, who were travelling in a launch, took the inspector with them as he attempted to stop the illegal activity.

The officials said security agencies, after hectic efforts, traced the whereabouts of the kidnapped officer and recovered him from Karachi.

He was later handed over to the fisheries department officials.

Teams of the fisheries department, Coast Guards and Maritime Security Agency have been tasked with patrolling the 12 nautical miles limits of Balochistan’s waters from the coast of Makran to stop illegal trawling.

The end to illegal trawling has been a longstanding demand of fishermen from Makran.They claim that illegal trawlers, dragging huge nets, catch even the smallest fishes, leaving nothing for local fishermen.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2023