KARACHI, July 27: The dispute between the Karachi Fish Harbour Authority and the Fishermen Cooperative Society, which had been lingering on since 1984, was resolved on Tuesday when the FCS paid Rs10 million to the KFHA.

A lease agreement was signed between the KFHA and the FCS in presence of adviser to chief minister on fisheries and livestock Faqir Jadam Mangrio. The dispute had been lingering on since the inception of the KFHA and despite efforts made in the past, it could not be resolved.

The Sindh government issued a notification in November 1996 under which the FCS was bound to pay 65 per cent commission to the KFHA. However, the society filed a petition in Sindh High Court and got stay order against the notification. In October 2001, the Sindh High Court gave ruling that both parties should settle the issue outside the court.

The previous administration of the society decided to pay Rs650 per square yard with increase of 10 per cent after three years. Besides, it also decided to form a committee to pay arrears in the very regard. The agreement then reached between the FCS and the KFHA was accepted by directors. However, due to strong resistance of fishermen, it could not be implemented.

The FCS directors again raised the issue in its meeting and decided to pay Rs10 million to the KFHA, besides no change would be made in the agreement in the next 25 years and the authority would not claim arrears.

Sindh Adviser Faqir Jadam Mangrio appreciated the efforts of FCS chairman Abuzar Mariwala and KFHA managing director Dr Mohammad Nawaz Baloch for resolving the dispute amicably.

He said that the government wanted to make the Karachi Fish Harbour one of the best harbour in the world. However, he stressed that coordination between FSC and KFHA was must to achieve that goal.

He expressed hope that resolution of the 20-year-old dispute would result in boosting business activities. Abuzar Mariwala termed the agreement historical and said it had been appreciated by all segments of fishermen, as it was based on ground realities.

Dr Nawaz Baloch expressed hope that economic relations between the two organizations would strengthen and as a result the KFHA would generate revenue which would be utilized for development works at fish harbour. Later, FCS chairman formally handed over a cheque of Rs10 million to KFHA managing director. -PPI