THATTA/KARACHI: The Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum said on Wednesday evening that 14 fishermen, who were part of a 45-member crew that departed for a fishing expedition on their boat that capsized near Thatta on Tuesday, are still missing and feared dead.

“Search for them is under way but by now we also know in our hearts that they would not have survived,” PFF spokesperson Kamal Shah told Dawn.

A boat carrying 45 fishermen had capsized mear Hajamro Creek on Tuesday due to strong winds. Later, an APP report had said that “rescue teams swiftly reached the scene and conducted a successful operation, rescuing all fishermen”. Assistant Commissioner-Malir Dr Sahira had also claimed that all the fishermen had been rescued and sent home.

However, families of the missing fishermen contacted local media persons on Wednesday morning to inform them that 14 of their loved ones were still missing.

Fisherfolk Forum seeks help of navy, MSA in rescue operation

Majority of the fishermen, who belonged to Ibrahim Hyderi area in Malir, Karachi, said that they could not make any contact with their relatives on cell phones.

As per list provided by the families, Hussain Poro, Sher Malah, Hashim, Riaz, Sajjad, Qayoom, Alam, Shakeel, Noor Mohammad, Raheem, Kuki, Habib and two others had not reached home.

Another PFF official Yasmeen Shah said that local divers were busy searching the missing fishermen but they were facing difficulties in the rescue operation due to tidal waves and gusty winds.

She criticised government officials for showing indifferent attitude towards the issue as they had announced without verifying the facts that all the fishermen had been rescued.

She urged Pakistan Navy and the Maritime Security Agency (MSA) to help fishermen rescue their dear ones.

Shazia Hasan in Karachi also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2024