KARACHI, Nov 22: Pakistan Mahigir Tehrik has urged the civil society organizations and stakeholders to play their due role to save the livelihood of the poor fishermen being threatened due to ill-advised policies of the present government.

In a letter to NGOs engaged in protection of environment and wildlife, the Tehrik expressed concern over sale of two important islands of Sindh to a UEA firm.

The PMT said although the government claimed that a new city would be constructed on the Islands which would bring an US dollars 43 billion investment, it had completely ignored the fact that these islands form lifeline for more than 500,000 fishermen of Sindh coast.

A Tehrik spokesman, Zubeda Berwani, said a movement for securing rights of poor fishermen had been launched. She was of the view that the sale of islands was tantamount to deprive the fishermen of their fishing grounds and mangrove nurseries, eroding their remaining meagre livelihood resources.

According to her, 4,000 fishing boats use Korangi and Phetti creeks as access to open sea. These passages are located on both sides of the islands which will become inaccessible in the wake of so-called development on islands. She said the civil society of Pakistan has expressed its serious concern over this ill-conceived project of the government and considers it a violation of all norms of sustainable development.

The Tehrik says that the two islands are home to rich flora and fauna of Indus Delta. One of the few remaining tracts of healthy and breeding grounds of green turtle exist on Dingi and Bundar islands. This rich biodiversity will lose its existence.

The letter, signed by the PMT chairperson, has also been sent to the WWF-Director-General Pakistan, country representative of the IUCN Pakistan, Chairperson Pakistan National Committee IUCN Pakistan, CEO Lead Pakistan and resident representative of the UNDP Pakistan.