SEVENTY-FIVE per cent of the people of Pasni depend on fishing for a livelihood. Focusing on the facilities available to local fishermen, former president Gen Ziaul Haq set up a jetty in 1985. About Rs350 million was expended on its construction. Regrettably, since its inception, the jetty has not been properly drained because of which it got filled up with sand.

Not too long ago, ships used to anchor there. Now it has become a playground for children.

So far, millions of rupees have been expended on the drainage work at the jetty by the government but it seems in vain.

The recent contract of drainage work was taken by the Karachi Port Trust in 2009, but nothing has changed in its infrastructure.

Fishermen are still in hot water.

Having no alternative, fishermen make for the ports of Karachi and Gwadar to sell their wares, bearing large expenses in the process. The government should drain the jetty properly and save the fishing industry from going to the dogs.

YOUNUS MOOSA Pasni