KARACHI, July 26: The Karachi City Council criticized the official fishing policies, especially allowing international companies to operate their trawlers in Pakistani waters.

The House started its proceedings on Friday with the speech of Chairman, Fisheries and Agriculture Committee Razzaq Siddique who read out quarterly a report of the committee, which stated that despite passage of 11 months, none of the departments concerning fisheries and agriculture have been devolved.

Report said though the fisheries department had been devolved in all the remaining districts of the province who have even floated relevant tenders, it has not been done, so far, in Karachi.

Report further stated that such policies of the government are discrimination against Karachi and make a fun of its elected representatives.

After reading the report, Razzaq Siddique presented some suggestions in the house for the betterment of fishermen and uplift of their traditional goths.

He deplored that influential are using the banned net ‘bhola gujja’ and fishing prawns illegally in Ibrahim Hydri area while fishermen of other regions faced starvation during the months of June and July when fishing was officially banned.

Convener Tariq Hasan said he had visited different areas of Bin Qasim Town and off-shore islands inhabited by fishermen community in connection with distribution of relief goods donated by his friends living abroad.

During the visit, this issue was highlighted, he said and added that he spoke to the chief secretary. However, the ban has been lifted.

A number of members, including Michael Javed, Rehana Afroze, Hameeda Bano, Shazia Akhter, Razzaq Sanghani spoke against fishing policies of the federal and provincial governments, especially regarding deep-sea trawlers.

The speakers deplored that these large trawlers go unchecked and haul fish near the coastal regions causing colossal losses to local fishermen.

Most of the women members stressed the need for clean and pollution-free sea water and promotion of sea-food in Karachi and Pakistan which is better for health than the red meat more widely eaten in the country.

Naib Nazim also informed that a reply to complaints and suggestions presented by members regarding police department has been received. He recalled his meeting with Capital City Police Officer AIGP Asad Jehangir and said that any member having complaint against the department may submit it in the council which would be forwarded to police department.

In the meanwhile, Tariq Hasan who is also acting Nazim Karachi received an important phone call and had to leave the house to attend a meeting, therefore, Muslim Pervaiz being the first presiding officer took chair as the convener of house.

Later, the House approved a resolution proposed by Muslim Pervaiz and supported by Saeed Ghani which called for formation of a committee which would make by-laws for conduct of house.

As per the requirements of SLGO-2001, these by-laws are to be prepared and approved by the council; and later it would submit in the council for an approval.

Members of the committee are Raina Khan advocate, Siddique Rathore, Muslim Perviaz, Najmi Alam, Malik Muhammad Taj, Rasheed Baig and Khalid Arshi.—PPI