KARACHI, Nov 22: The administrative control of Pakistan Rangers from the lakes of the province, particularly Badin district, has been terminated, and from January next, the Sindh government would issue fishing licenses to local people.

"The adminisstative control of the lakes has been terminated following intervention by President Pervez Musharraf," said the deputy convener of the MQM's coordination committee, Dr Farooq Sattar.

Speaking at a press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC) here on Monday, the deputy convenor of the Muttahida's Coordination Committee, Dr Farooq Sattar said that the fishermen from interior Sindh, particularly of Badin, had been deprived of their due rights, as Pakistan Rangers had the administrative control of the lakes and ponds of the area.

He said the administrative control of the Rangers started in 1972 when the then government gave them the administration of lakes and ponds of coastal areas for fishing. At that time it was decided that only 10 per cent of the total income would be spent on development of the area, while the rest of the 90 per cent would be spent on rangers, he added.

Later, he said, in 1977, it was decided that 35 per cent of the total income from fishing would be spent on the area. He said that it was a serious public issue and since last three months, all the ruling coalition parties of the Sindh government, including the Muttahida were trying to get this issue resolved.

He said that the Governor and the Chief Minister and the Muttahida also raised this issue before President Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during various meetings.

Finally, he said, on Nov 19 this matter came under discussion during a meeting with President Musharraf at Rawalpindi where the President gave clear-cut directives to the D-G of Rangers (Sindh), Maj-Gen Javed Zia, that it was not the task of rangers.

Dr Sattar said the present contract would be terminated on Dec 31, and from Jan 1, the Fisheries Department of the Sindh would take the administrative control of lakes of coastal areas.