KARACHI, Jan 23: A fact-finding committee headed by the adviser to Sindh chief minister on fisheries, Fakir Jaddam Mangrio, on Tuesday visited Bhandar and Dinghi islands to investigate whether these two islands were inhabited or not.

The Fishermen Cooperative Society had arranged thevisit of the committee which included elected and nominated directors of the society. Journalists were also taken to the islands by the committee.

The elected directors included Haji Shafi Jamote of Ibrahim Haidry, Saleem Deedag of Mubarak village, Haji Younus of Shams Pir and Mohammad Hanif Chattani of Khadda.

Speaking on the occasion, Jaddam Mangrio invited all the directors and journalists to see for themselves that the islands were completely uninhabited and no fisherman was living there. He said the opposition was trying to create an issue which was not there.

He said that the fact-finding committee would submit its report to Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan.

He said most of the fishermen were demanding development work in their villages and they were not interested in politics.

Mangrio said the development of these islands would bring in an investment of 43 billion dollars, providing job opportunities to the unemployed workers in fishermen's localities.

Speaking on the occasion, Haji Shafi Jamote said that fishermen had no opposition to the development of these islands if the government removed some of their concerns.

He demanded that the bridge connecting the islands with Karachi should be constructed in a way that it should not obstruct fishermen's route to deep sea for fishing.

Similarly, a treatment plant should be installed to control the possible pollution caused by the development of these islands.

Saleem Deedag and Haji Younus supported the development of these islands and said that it would bring in prosperity in the city and provide job opportunities to the youth.—APP